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Composition, Theory, and Musicology

Student with sheet music

Future Undergrads

Interested students should check out our future students page or click below to find out more about auditioning for the School of Music.

Graduate Students

We ask that Graduate Students contact their respective faculty member(s) to schedule the necessary steps to join us. Feel free to check out our Graduate page for more info!

Hello!

The School of Music, housed in Duerksen Fine Arts Center, offers robust programs in music education, performance, pedagogy, history and literature, conducting, and theory/composition. These programs are significant in both size and quality and have earned acclaim nationwide. This distinction is due in part to Wichita State’s urban setting, which provides cultural diversity and excellent opportunities for faculty and students.

Students earning the Bachelor of Music degree in theory and/or composition typically pursue one of two career paths:

  1. Graduate study leading to advanced degrees required for teaching at the college or university level.

  2. Professional work as a composer in areas such as:

    • Orchestration and arranging

    • Freelance composition

    • Music copying and computer graphics in music

    • Music publishing and editing

    • Children’s music composition

    • Music theory and aural skills tutoring

    • Commercial music for advertising, film, television and live theater

Music students gain a deep familiarity with musical literature through specialized courses and access to listening facilities in the music library, located in Jardine Hall and staffed by a music librarian. Students engage with a broad range of theory and music history courses that explore all periods and styles. Both private and group instruction in music composition are available, and special tutorial services are offered.

Students in theory and composition frequently participate in the New Voices Festival. All students have opportunities to grow musically through applied instruction and ensemble participation. Available ensembles include four choirs, two concert bands, a symphony orchestra, a jazz ensemble and athletic bands.

Thanks to Wichita State’s close relationship with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, students regularly hear world-class artists in concert and often interact with them in masterclass settings.

Faculty in the School of Music are artist-teacher-scholars with significant professional training and experience. Their careers span all facets of the music profession, and they are deeply committed to each student’s individual musical development. The composition faculty, in particular, focus on helping students nurture and refine their creative voice.

Related Opportunities


The City of Wichita offers many work-related opportunities for students to gain experience and earn income as musicians and teachers.

Area Faculty

Andréa Banke
Dr. Courtney Long
Dr. David MacDonald

Dr. Trevor Nelson

Dr. Jacy Pedersen

Undergraduate:

To be admitted to the undergraduate music theory and composition program at Wichita State University, students must have at least two years of training in the Bachelor of Arts in music program, have successfully completed MUSC 259 (Introduction to Music Composition) and MUSC 260 (Beginning Music Composition), and submit a portfolio with at least two original compositions. Admission is granted through a special application process. Transfer students should have completed compositions available for review prior to acceptance.

clarinetists

Graduate

Applicants must submit a portfolio of compositions, including scores (when applicable) and recordings. The portfolio should contain at least 20 minutes of music and demonstrate a diverse understanding of 21st century art music styles and techniques. MIDI recordings are accepted, but live performances are preferred.

Scores and recordings may be submitted digitally via Dropbox or another large file-sharing platform to Dr. David MacDonald, area coordinator of composition, theory and musicology. For questions about applying, please contact Dr. MacDonald, who also serves as the School of Music’s graduate coordinator.

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