The recital must be organized and rehearsed solely by the student. Readings of student works are available during the year with the larger ensembles. There is a reading list for composition majors. This list includes important books on composing, orchestrational technique, notation, contemporary devices, and aesthetics. Also, the composition students purchase one important musical score each semester to study with the teacher in the seminars.
Improvisation is a critical experience of composition majors also.
Each student is expected to perform in some improvisational work during the year. At least one improvisation is included on each of the three recitals. These usually include several of the students at one time, and in some cases, larger works with the full composition class. In the school year 2000-2001, there were about 20 composers in the program, about 15 are majors. Back to the Faculty page.