MA in Music - Composition in Toronto Canada | University of Toronto

At UofT Music, our composers' voices resonate. This applies equally to our students, alumni, and faculty members. Alongside individual studio instruction and small group classes, our composition curriculum covers diverse subjects including counterpoint, orchestration, specialized instrumental methods, electronic and computer music, film scoring (including silent films) and multimedia projects, songwriting, plus courses analyzing various compositional approaches and musical genres.
Performance opportunities are essential for student composers, and we integrate them throughout our program: with dedicated mentorship from studio instructors and chamber coaches, composers-in-residence positions with our principal performance groups like the contemporary music gamUT ensemble, and even fully-staged original opera productions presented annually during our New Music Festival. The yearly Karen Kieser Prize features a professional chamber music performance, while resident ensembles like the Cecilia String Quartet regularly commission student works. Consequently, our composers graduate prepared to engage with the wider contemporary music scene, connecting with passionate performers, prominent arts institutions, and diverse audiences. The composition department provides both major and minor specializations within the Mus.Bac. program. Prospective composition students typically audition after their first year, though a select few may enter the program directly in their initial year. Those accepted into the composition major or minor receive weekly one-on-one lessons, with participation in the Composer's Forum workshop series being mandatory. The Faculty of Music additionally welcomes visiting composers throughout the year. For advanced studies, we offer both Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees.