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Prepare for an Exciting Career with a Degree in Music Composition with an Emphasis in Concert Music
Whether you dream of composing concerts, writing songs or scoring films and video games, earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition with an Emphasis in Concert Music from Webster University is the best first step you can take toward a rewarding career in music.
Our comprehensive music and composition curriculum bridges the gap between theory and practice through engaging courses and immersive learning experiences alongside professional musicians. Our broad course topics will help you develop into a well-rounded composer with knowledge of traditional, jazz and commercial music, as well as electronic, computer and MIDI applications.
Tailor your Music Composition Degree to Your Goals
As a student in the Music Composition program, you can choose from two different tracks: Concert Music or Songwriting. Regardless of which Music Composition concentration you choose, you’ll build a solid skill set and enjoy a breadth of experience that will set you apart from other music majors from around the country.
Choose Webster for Your Music Composition Degree
Gain Real-World Music and Composition Experience
At the heart of our Music Composition program is our commitment to providing experiences that foster artistic development and career preparedness. Through the Wet Ink Project, you can work closely with professional musicians to hear your work performed live. You will also get chances every semester to share your work with the public and your peers.
Learn from Experienced Professors
Webster keeps its Music Composition class sizes small to provide plenty of opportunities for you to work one-on-one with our outstanding music and composition faculty mentors. They pull from their decades of experience as professional composers and songwriters to prepare you for the daily challenges and rewards of working throughout the music industry.
Gain International Recognition
Webster University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), which is an important marker of standing among music programs in the U.S. This means that your BM degree from the Department of Music will be respected by professionals and graduate committees for reaching some of the highest standards for academic excellence and career readiness.
Travel the World
Webster University has an extensive global community of campuses, including our campus in the beautiful and historic city of Vienna. Music Composition students can study abroad in one of the birthplaces of modern music — taking classes taught by internationally renowned musicians and taking private lessons to grow as an artist. Learn more about the Study Abroad program for Music Composition students in Vienna.
“Writing music for professional musicians is the most valuable experience I get at Webster as a composer.”
Katy Boykin
BM in Music Composition, '26
Read More: How Webster Helped Katy Bring Music to Life
Katy Boykin picked up her first musical instrument — a clarinet — in 6th grade and hasn’t stopped ever since. After all, music is her language.
“I write music to tell stories, mine or someone else’s,” Katy says.
Katy felt she could tell the most compelling stories by learning about all the different characters — or instruments — she could use. To that end, Katy learned how to play various instruments, including the trumpet, saxophone and some percussion.
“If I can play these instruments, I can write for them better. It’s part of my job as a composer.”
When Katy was exploring music composition programs, Webster University stood out.
Here, Katy can bring her music to life. In the spring 2024 semester, she composed a piece for a brass quintet, which was performed at a concert hall on Webster’s campus. Katy also performs gigs with her professors.
“Our program is distinguished by initiatives like the Wet Ink Project, which embodies our commitment to experiential learning,” says music Professor David Waterman. “This project partners our students with professional ensembles, such as Clarion Brass and Chamber Project Saint Louis, offering a comprehensive experience from composition to live performance.”
She was also drawn to the University’s personal, intimate classes where she receives individualized attention and feedback from her professors.
“What sets Webster’s composition program apart is the nurturing and supportive relationship between faculty and students, which facilitates personalized guidance in both classroom and studio settings,” Waterman says.
The supportive environment plus the hands-on, real-world musical experiences will help Katy reach her goals of composing music for television, movies and video games.
To continue to tell the stories.
“Writing music for professional musicians is the most valuable experience I get at Webster as a composer. At Webster, I can be the best I can be.”
BM in Music Composition with an Emphasis in Concert Music
Find out more about the overall curriculum, electives, learning outcomes and more for the Bachelor of Music in Music Composition with an Emphasis in Concert Music degree.
What Can You Do with a BM Degree in Music Composition with an Emphasis in Concert
Music?
Music is one of the oldest forms of storytelling and entertainment in the world, and earning a degree in Music Composition with an Emphasis in Concert Music will let you become a part of this centuries-long tradition.
The knowledge and skills you’ll gain in music and composition at Webster can help you pursue careers throughout the music industry. They can also act as a stable foundation for you to continue your education in master’s programs to continue honing your craft.
Studying music and composition at Webster gives you access to local music organizations and theatres that can help you gain experience and build a lasting network that will help you as you progress in your career. Our local partners include the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Jazz St. Louis and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.
Some of the careers that our Music Composition program students have gone on to enjoy include:
- Video Game Composer
- Sound Designer
- Film Composer
- Concert Music Composer
- Music Scholar
- Recording Artist
Get Started on Your Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition with an Emphasis in Concert Music
Take the next step toward earning your degree. We are here to help you get started.
Explore
Learn more about our academic programs and our main campus and locations.
Engage
Connect with our admissions counselors and academic advisors.
Apply
Apply to Webster and take the next steps for financial aid and scholarships.
Contact the Admissions Office to Find Out More
If you have more questions about the program, your application or other enrollment-related inquiries, contact our Admissions Office.
Call 314-246-7800 or 800-753-6765 or send an email to admit@webster.edu.