200,000+
Alumni from our Global Campuses
Write the Composition of Your Dreams
Bring your musical concepts to life with a Master of Music in Performance with an Emphasis in Composition. Students will receive personalized plans of study from our experienced faculty, many of whom are working musicians, with emphasis on their unique career goals and musical interests. The program is designed to promote exploration into different musical genres and styles, as well as showcase student composition work.
As a graduate student in the master's level composition program, you will learn essential skills and tools used by professional composers to create original pieces of music. Students will work with acoustic, digital and other forms of media to develop their original work.
Our curriculum encourages students to broaden their understanding of music through the study of theory, history and aesthetic frameworks that make up various musical genres and the cultures they impact. Furthermore, students will be challenged to combine their theoretical and historical knowledge with the hands-on, practical skills required of composers to notate and publish original work.
Choose Webster for your Master of Music in Performance with an Emphasis in Composition
Choose Webster for your Master of Music in Performance with an Emphasis in Composition
World-Renowned Faculty
Webster University's music faculty includes experienced and dedicated performers with the professional background to teach and guide students in their desired emphasis.
Performance Opportunities
At Webster, you will find a variety of opportunities to perform in solo and orchestra groups, as well as showcase your skills in composing. You’ll have access to world-class performances from faculty, peers and professional groups.
Music- and Arts-Focused Community
St. Louis is home to a variety of new and longstanding fine arts institutions that regularly host performances, events and exhibits. You’ll find a network of talented and experienced musicians and opportunities to attend performances by organizations like the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Graduate Scholarships
When you study as a graduate student in the Department of Music, you will have access to merit-based scholarships, such as the Buder Foundation Scholarship, which is available to graduate students after their first year. For more information, interested applicants should contact the chair of the Department of Music, Carla Collett, PhD. Scholarship applications are due by April 1.
Top-Ranked University
Webster is a full member of the National Association of Schools of Music and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Webster Holds Longtime NASM Membership
Webster University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). An important marker of standing among music programs in the U.S., NASM establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for music and music-related disciplines.
70+
Years as Member of NASM
MM in Performance with an Emphasis in Composition
Find out more about the overall master’s degree curriculum, audition information, learning outcomes and more.
What Can You Do with a Master’s in Composition?
Webster students who graduate with a Master of Music in Performance with an Emphasis in Composition will develop skills, like teamwork, improvisation and discipline that will position you for a variety of roles, such as:
- Music Director
- Composer
- Music Teacher
- Solo Entertainer
- Orchestra Member
Career Outlook for Orchestral Musicians
Jobs in the music field, especially those related to performance and composition, are expected to grow over the next decade. A graduate music degree can give you a career boost as a music educator, performer or composer.
Salaries for Master’s in Music Graduates
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for Music Directors and Composers was $62,590 per year in May 2023.
Get Started on Your Graduate Music Degree
Take the next step toward earning your Master of Music in Performance with an Emphasis in Composition. 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.