BM in Composition (Songwriting)

Pursue a career as a composer, author, and performer of original songs through a unique academic and performance track. In both private applied study and in the classroom setting, refine your skills as a songwriter/composer, vocalist, lyricist, and performer, typically on piano and/or guitar. Grow as a musician with courses in music theory and history, performance pedagogy and literature, and conducting.

Combine extensive applied instruction on your primary and secondary instruments with classes in traditional, jazz and commercial music theory and history. This program features a mix of audio production, jazz theory, and music business courses, ensuring you'll leave Webster with a skill set and breadth of experience that sets you apart! Seize opportunities throughout your time at Webster to perform in recitals and play or sing in large and small ensembles. You will present a final concert of original songs, along with a fully produced compact disc.

Webster University is delighted to be one of a handful of universities across the country to offer a degree focused on songwriting.

The composition program at Webster focuses primarily on contemporary concert music or songwriting. Students are also encouraged to explore many other musical styles and technologies such as jazz, electronic, computer and MIDI applications. Faculty composers work directly with composition majors. Numerous opportunities exist for the performance of students' work, including the Webster New Music Ensemble, Student Songwriter Showcase, and Wet Ink project.

Students in this major complete the required core, performance, composition and supportive courses, and complete one of the two emphasis areas.

The songwriting emphasis is designed for the student who wishes to pursue a career as a composer, author and performer of original songs. In both private applied study and the classroom setting, students in the songwriter track refine their skills as songwriters/composers, vocalists, lyricists and accompanists (normally on piano and/or guitar). Extensive applied instruction on primary and secondary instruments is coupled with traditional, jazz and commercial music theory and history. Students in this program present a final concert of original songs and a fully-produced compact disc.

Plan Your Webster Education

The Bachelor of Music in Composition with an Emphasis in Songwriting four-year plan (PDF opens in new tab) helps you visualize the courses you'll take each year of your education journey at Webster University.

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