Composition Concentration

Discover and develop your original, creative voice. If you want to write music, a composition concentration within the Bachelors of Arts in Music program will prepare you to shape your creative impulses to best capture your expressive goals. You’ll study instrumentation and arranging, workshop with fellow students in composition classes, and take applied lessons in composition—intensive one-on-one training with accomplished faculty that will prepare you for the demands of graduate school.

Why study music composition at Gordon?

Discover the significance of faith in artistic expression while refining your musical skills within a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum. Immerse yourself in the Music Innovation Lab, receive personalized instruction from renowned faculty members, and showcase your talents in performances against the breathtaking backdrop of Coy Pond from our state-of-the-art Phillips Recital Hall. Designed by the architect responsible for the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Seiji Ozawa Hall, this venue provides a captivating setting for your musical endeavors. Moreover, Gordon's serene location offers an ideal balance of tranquility for focused learning and convenient proximity to vibrant concerts both on campus and in the bustling arts scene of Boston nearby.

What careers can I pursue with a music major?

Your comprehensive education in music and the liberal arts will equip you with the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and contribute wholeheartedly, all while showcasing your innate and God-given talent—a valuable foundation for success in any career path, including:

• Worship ministry
• Arts management and operations
• Teaching
• Composing and arranging
• Music therapy
• Audio production
• Band or chorus leadership

Learn more about jobs and internships ➔

Experiential learning in music composition

Studying music makes you a celebrated part of the fabric that weaves the culture of the performing arts at Gordon. Music students consistently discover incredible opportunities outside the classroom:

• Join a performing ensemble, which include multiple choirs, instrumental ensembles, chamber groups, student composition showcases and more.
• Benefit from professional concerts, recitals and master classes with internationally acclaimed musicians through our professional artist series.
• Collaborate on entrepreneurial projects to explore how the creative process can generate new approaches to important civic issues.
• Serve in leadership roles in the Music Student Council or the Massachusetts Music Educators Association annual state-wide conference.
• Compete in a Concerto Competition to become a featured soloist with the Gordon Symphony Orchestra.

Departmental Honors

Immerse yourself in a specialized aspect of music beyond your primary coursework by enrolling in Departmental Honors. With the support of an experienced faculty advisor, you will explore fresh content and develop your unique concepts for a thesis, whether in the form of a research paper, musical composition, or lecture recital.

*Auditions are required to qualify for any music scholarship, and students must be accepted through the Gordon College Admissions process before auditioning. Music scholarships are included in a student’s financial aid package if the student enrolls at Gordon, and awards are renewable for all four years if requirements are met. Department of Music Leadership Awards ($28,000/year) will replace other Gordon scholarships and grants.