Four students in a lecture theatre who are holding sheet music and pens

Composition

Learn the art of composition and find your musical voice
Is your ambition to write music for the concert hall? Learn from some of Australia’s leading composers and access our excellent facilities and performance opportunities.

We are teaching the next generation of creative leaders in the classical and art music traditions.

New music is a vital force at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In this degree, you will learn all facets of musical composition, and we will support you to specialise and create ambitious, informed, well-crafted, and individual work.

Have the opportunity to have your music performed by Conservatorium orchestras, ensembles and guest artists. Get involved with student-led concerts and composing for events with our industry partners.

You will also develop the skills to compose electroacoustic music, including sound art, digital music and computer music.

Receive individual composition lessons with expert staff, alongside studies in:

  • compositional techniques and analysis
  • creativity
  • improvisation
  • repertoire
  • instrumentation and orchestration
  • music technology skills
  • music theory and aural training
  • historical and cultural studies

You will also have access to diverse electives across the University of Sydney.

  • Study one-to-one with some of Australia’s most gifted and widely recognised composers.
  • Learn composition in a nurturing community with ample opportunity to perform your work.
  • Form collaborative links with other musicians and performers at the Conservatorium and throughout the University
  • Gain exclusive access to composition opportunities in the professional arts industry.
  • composer
  • art music composer
  • concert music composer
  • orchestrator and arranger
  • music librarian
  • music copyist
  • arts curator
  • artistic director
  • festival director
  • music researcher
  • composition teacher

What are my study options with composition?

Alexis Weaver

Master of Music (Composition) student Alexis Weaver with one of the instruments in her frog percussion
Master of Music (Composition)
“Electroacoustic composition is an area I didn't even know existed before I began my studies at the Con. The music technology department opened my eyes to a new world of sound creation. Their passion and dedication to their craft has inspired me.”
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