Graduate Composition

Master of Music Composition (M.M.)

The Master of Music Composition (M.M.) degree at UofL is a two-year program of study designed to further the expertise and experience of students who have already completed an undergraduate degree in music composition (or its equivalent). While most students who are admitted into the M.M. Composition program have received undergraduate degrees in music composition, students without an undergraduate degree in music composition may be accepted in the M.M. composition program if they (1) demonstrate compositional skills and experience approximately equivalent to an undergraduate degree in composition, and (2) hold an undergraduate degree or its equivalent, preferably (but not necessarily) in some area of music. Course requirements for M.M. Composition.

Submit the following documentation to the School of Music Admissions Office:

  • Composition Portfolio (See below for more information. Deadline: January 15)
  • A Letter of Interest for Graduate Teaching Assistantships or Departmental Service Awards. The School of Music bases awards on several factors including musical talent, academic achievement, priorities in instrumentation, and financial need. Awards are highly competitive. The letter can be emailed directly to the contact information listed below.

Submit the following documentation to Graduate Admissions:

  • Completed application for admission, including the $60 application fee (Note: There is a $30 application for additional applications and applicants applying for re-admission to UofL). There is no additional application or fee for the School of Music. The application can be found online at: http://graduate.louisville.edu/admissions/apply-for-admission.html and be sure to select your specific music major. Once you have applied, the School of Music will be notified of your application.
  • Official transcripts from ALL colleges/universities attended
  • Two (2) Letters of Recommendation (Note: The online letter evaluation provided through the online graduate application will suffice.)


    Submit all materials by January 15. ALL of the above MUST be submitted before the School of Music can admit a student or make a scholarship offer.

    Composition Application Portfolio

    Graduate composition majors audition by submitting a portfolio. The composition portfolio is one of the primary tools for evaluating financial support. Your portfolio should contain three or four samples of original compositions, along with recordings for the same works, if possible. Evidence of experience using various instrumental and/or vocal combinations is helpful. Submit your most advanced and sophisticated work. If you have any questions about what to submit in the portfolio, feel free to ask questions before submitting. 

     There are two ways to submit your portfolio. 

     1) PREFERRED METHOD: Prepare a digital cloud-box, such as DropBox, OneDrive, or Google Drive and upload pdf scores and audio files to that. When you have finished all uploads, send the link to . Don’t send the link until you are sure that your portfolio is complete. 

     2) OPTIONAL METHOD: Prepare bound, double-sided paper scores and an audio CD. Mail these directly to Ms. Laura Angermeier, Admissions Counselor, School of Music
, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY  40292.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Students should also submit a curriculum vitae detailing education, any relevant work or teaching experience, and achievements, especially with regard to their compositional work. Excellent performance skills may also be valuable in obtaining financial support, through scholarships for performance in School of Music ensembles. For more information, please visit the School of Music financial aid information page.

    Financial Support Suggestions

    If you wish to be considered for a Bomhard Composition Fellowship, submit a letter addressing this. If you wish to be considered for a theory teaching assistantship, please visit the Music Theory webpage. If you have excellent performance skills and wish to be considered for a performance award for participation in School of Music ensembles, please visit the School of Music Scholarship page.

    Performance Opportunities for Compositions

    There are many opportunities for performances of new compositions, and students will be encouraged to present their work regularly. There is at least one, and often two or more, student composer recitals each semester. There are also other UofL sponsored opportunities for performances. Frequently, students will have works performed on recitals of performance majors, at school-wide assemblies (called Convocations), or on concerts of student or faculty ensembles. Student pieces are selected by competitive submission for inclusion on the annual New Music Festival. There are often other opportunities for performances in the broader Louisville community.

    Thesis Review

    The program requires a thesis composition, which is typically a work for large ensemble (usually orchestra, but other ensembles will be considered). Bomhard Fellows are required to produce a thesis composition that features solo voice(s) with large ensemble or a dramatic work such as a one-act opera or its equivalent. The finished thesis composition is submitted near the end of the final semester of study (usually near the end of the second year of study).

    The thesis composition is reviewed and must be approved by the student's three-person thesis committee of two composition faculty (one of whom is the student's composition teacher) and one other School of Music faculty member from outside the Theory/Composition Department. Members of the student's thesis committee must also be members of the UofL Graduate Faculty.

    Thesis Guidelines PDF Document

    Graduate Oral Exam

    After approval by the thesis committee of the thesis composition, each student meets for about 30 minutes with the Graduate Committee of the School of Music, a six person committee that includes a representative of each School of Music department. This meeting, called the Graduate Oral Exam, is a free-ranging question and answer session in which the student is given the opportunity to demonstrate a broad base of knowledge about music. There may be some degree of focus on the following: orchestration, music history and literature, and the subject matter of any music course taken while a M.M. student at UofL.

    For More Information

    If you have questions related to music composition at UofL, please contact Dr. Krzysztof Wolek, krzysztof.wolek@louisville.edu.

    You may also contact:
    Laura Angermeier, Admissions & Advising
    School of Music, Room 116
    University of Louisville
    Louisville, KY 40292
    502.852.1623 (direct) ۰502.852.0520 (fax) ;  

    Visit the School of Music online at: www.louisville.edu/music  Facebook: www.facebook.com/uoflmusic  Twitter: @uoflmusic

    View the Graduate Catalog for Program Information & Degree Requirements

    School of Music Graduate Degree Information

    NOTE: To be admitted to the Music Composition program, you must be admitted to the University of Louisville and the School of Music.