Thank you for your interest in studying composition at Penn State. Music composition at Penn State offers a distinctive curriculum that balances compositional studies, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary collaborations, music technology, and philosophical thought.
We offer a unique a program of study that prepares composers for the many paths ahead. Students of the Penn State Composition Program regularly enjoy performances of their works, collaborate with the excellent performance studios and ensembles, and have the opportunity to take advantage of our first-rate recording studios to produce recordings of their works.
The information found below provides an outline of the composition degree opportunities and information about the specific steps and materials needed to complete an application to our program.
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Important dates, deadlines and Interview Day activities
Preferred Deadline for Penn State Undergraduate Composition Admission: December 15, 2020
Preferred Deadline for Penn State Graduate Composition Admission: December 1, 2020
While we prefer to receive your portfolio materials by these deadlines, applications will continue to be considered after these dates. An application to the Penn State Composition Program requires an extensive review of portfolio materials before the interview takes place and the preferred deadlines above provides the faculty with the opportunity to become familiar with your work.
Interview Dates for all Fall 2021 Penn State Composition Applicants: January 23 & 30, 2021
- Alternate interview dates can be scheduled at the discretion of the faculty.
- Each interview day will include a post-interview composition tour and informational session. Parents are welcome to attend the tour and info session.
- Applicants should plan to be at Penn State for the entire day.
- All undergraduate applicants will audition for a studio and interview with the composition faculty.
- All transfer applicants who wish to enter as sophomore composition majors will take the Composition Transfer Exam on the day of their audition/interview.
- All graduate applicants will take the Graduate Diagnostic Exam on the day of their interview.
- Graduate applicants who express interest in a TA position will also interview for a TA position this day.
- Interviews for graduate applicants are by invitation only, after the initial application/portfolio is pre-screened.
How to apply: step by step
Steps for Applying to the B.M. Music Composition Option
- Apply to Penn State University
- Schedule an Audition & Interview for the School of Music (1/23/21 or 1/30/21)
- Submit all Composition Portfolio Materials
Steps for Applying to the M.M. Music Composition Option
Music composition portfolio contents and submission
A successful portfolio submission to the Penn State Music Composition programs includes the following items:
- Sample Notated Scores (with optional recordings)
Undergraduate Applicants: 1-5 Score(s)
Masters and PPC Applicants: 3-5 Scores - List of works and performances
- Personal Statement describing your experience as a musician/composer
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
In addition to the above items, undergraduate applicants must take an instrumental audition. An undergraduate (BM) application to the composition program will only be fully considered after the applicant IS ACCEPTED into an instrumental studio. Graduate students are admitted based on their portfolios only – MM applicants do not have to take an instrumental audition but will be scheduled for TA interviews during their interview day.
Dr. Baljinder Sekhon would be delighted to hear from you with questions about our composition program or the application process. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to him: bss5477@psu.edu