As a composition major, you will develop your individual compositional voice through a variety of active composing projects, alongside the study of contemporary music, orchestration, analysis, harmony, and counterpoint. Over eight semesters, while completing the college’s core music curriculum, you’ll receive opportunities to work with a diverse community of student musicians, distinguished faculty, industry professionals, and world-class visiting artists.

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Meet the Composition Department

Berklee’s Composition Department is an open-minded program providing you the opportunities to find and develop your own compositional voice.

  • Financial Aid and Scholarships

    Learn about financial aid, scholarships, and others ways of paying for your Berklee education.

  • Study Abroad

    Study abroad at our Valencia, Spain, campus. It is recommended that Composition majors study in Valencia during their third or fourth semester. For specific program information, please see the chair of your major or contact the study abroad office.

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Student Works

Watch Performances of New Works by Composition Majors

Listen to Eunike Tanzil's original "Winter Matcha" and works by other students in Berklee's composition major.

Alumni Story

Jessie Cox, B.M. '17

Described by VAN magazine as “a multifaceted Black Swiss composer, performer, and scholar,” Jessie Cox makes music about the universe and our future in it. 

Alumni Story

Roberto Toscano, B.M. '06

Great results sometimes come through serendipitous meetings. The success of contemporary composer Roberto Toscano might be traced to an introduction to late Berklee professor Vuk Kulenovic when Toscano was a Berklee student. After that, the young Brazilian changed his direction from guitar to composing, studying intensely with Kulenovic.

Program Details