PhD in Composition in Rochester United States | University of Rochester

Since its founding in 1921, the Eastman School of Music has served as a hub for modern music creation and performance. Composition students benefit from weekly one-on-one lessons, masterclass participation, and numerous chances to hear their pieces performed across various venues. This comprehensive approach ensures mastery of current musical techniques and the capacity to express one's unique voice through them. Note that the Composition PhD program accepts both students holding prior master's degrees and those entering with only bachelor's degrees - the latter group will complete their master's degree concurrently.
The Composition Department at Eastman focuses on training aspiring professionals and academics in both traditional and digital music composition. Without favoring any particular style, we aim to support students in developing their own artistic vision.
Our curriculum provides complete familiarity with modern musical forms and the skills to articulate personal creativity within them. To expose students to diverse compositional approaches, the Department implements a rotation system where faculty and students typically don't work with the same instructor for more than one year within any three-year span. This means all faculty members teach across all levels, from first-year undergraduates to doctoral candidates.
Weekly hour-long composition tutorials form the program's foundation, supplemented by continuous interaction through master classes, Composition Symposium discussions, Composers Forum performances, and collaborative initiatives like the Benson Forum for Creativity. This structure allows faculty to closely monitor and guide each student's artistic progression.
Performance opportunities are essential for composer development. Eastman composition students enjoy regular chances to hear their works in contexts ranging from Composers Forum and Sinfonietta performances to orchestral readings and choral presentations. The school's vibrant concert calendar - including Ossia new music events, student recitals, and ensemble concerts - provides abundant platforms for students to test their creative ideas and steer their artistic evolution.