This program emphasizes learning through listening. Almost all of the works students compose are performed by other students at public concerts held throughout the year. The program features a first-year course which may be taken by any Music student in any year. Those interested in majoring in Composition take this course in first year and then in the second, third, and fourth years study individually with members of the Faculty and participate in composition seminars, writing works for various ensembles which are performed in formal evening concerts. In the final year, students write an extended work as their graduation composition.
All students take an electro-acoustic music course.
It is possible to emphasize this area, or to participate in collaborative projects in film, video, dance or theatre. Overall, the Composition faculty emphasize stylistic diversity with an emphasis on developing each student's unique compositional voice. Many of our graduates have gone on to achieve distinction in national competitions, to study further in Canada and abroad, and to have successful careers as composers. A variety of synthesis techniques are available including FM, Analog, and Sampling. A third station is used for music notation.