Composition at UD

Who We Are
The Composition Studio is a vibrant and highly active member of the University of Delaware Department of Music. Composition students at the University of Delaware remain active as performers and are able to participate in all of the department’s ensembles and productions. Diversity in compositional style and philosophy is encouraged, as is interdisciplinary collaboration and experimentation. Close association with the theory and musicology areas, in addition to the performance area, provides for a well-rounded academic education where students can enhance and support their creative work with specialized research and performance. 

​Student composers can pursue the Bachelor of Music degree in Composition, the Master of Music in Composition, or the Minor in Composition. Opportunities for students to hear their compositions performed are many and varied, as are the opportunities to participate in master classes, workshops, reading/recording sessions, new music concerts and new music ensembles. Students also interact with a wide variety of guest composers, performers and ensembles during their residencies on the UD campus.

Composition students become members of the UD Society of Composers, Inc. Student Chapter. They also become active members of Still Breathing: The University of Delaware Contemporary Music Ensemble, an ensemble dedicated to performing the works of living composers, and SCI Improv, a free improvisation ensemble. New Music Delaware, a university faculty ensemble and event organization with a highly successful history since ca. 1938, is also dedicated to performing and promoting the works of living composers.
Reading/Recording session with Baroque-Contemporary music ensemble, Melomanie, May 2013
SCI Region III Conference Trip to Virginia, March/April 2012 (16 UD composers and 3 UD percussionists attended the conference)
UD composers with George Crumb
UD composers with Eric Ewazen
​Composition/Theory Faculty

Dr. Jennifer M. Barker, composition - www.jennifermargaretbarker.com

Prof. Andreas Meyer, recording techniques and electronic composition - www.meyer-media.com

Prof. Tom Palmer, jazz composition - www.music.udel.edu 

Dr. Miles Brown, jazz composition and contemporary literature - www.music.udel.edu

Prof. David Schelat, organ performance and organ composition - www.davidschelat.com

Dr. Daniel Stevens, theory - www.music.udel.edu

Dr. Philip Duker, theory - www.music.udel.e

Dr. Patricia Burt, theory - www.music.udel.edu
UD Composition Studio 2020 zoom masterclasses with 
guest composers, 
Dr. Paul Richards and Dr. Ofer Ben-Amots.