Demonstrate an understanding of musical forms, processes and structures and the ability to place music in historical, cultural and stylistic contexts.
Bachelor of Music in Composition
The Bachelor of Music in Composition is an intensive, pre-professional program that grounds students in the foundational skills of compositional practice, with an intentional focus on creating a portfolio of high-quality, live recordings of original works.
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Music
Program Types
Undergraduate, Major
Mode of Study
On Campus
Department
Conservatory of MusicSchool / College
College of Arts and Sciences
What is a composition degree?
A composition degree is an intense, pre-professional program where you will undergo skilled training in all facets of composition. In addition to preparing for a career in composition, you will have a weekly private lesson and will additionally participate in the Composition Studio Class, which meets weekly to discuss topics in the field of composition and contemporary music.
Why earn a music degree in composition at Redlands?
With an emphasis on real-world experience, the University of Redlands’ Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition prepares aspiring composers for meaningful lives as impactful musical professionals. Our four-year composition program is grounded in a rigorous conservatory training in the context of a well-rounded liberal arts education that values compositional practice, creative inquiry, and community engagement through a diverse array of classes and pre-professional opportunities.
Core focus
The most distinctive aspect of our program is the opportunity students have to hear their works performed live by ensembles both large and small. In addition to the Green Orange concert each semester (a student-produced chamber music concert of all new works by Redlands composers), undergraduate student works are regularly programmed by the major ensembles. The University Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Chapel Singers, University Choir, Rhythm Ave Singers, Studio Jazz Band, and Percussion Ensemble all perform student works on their regularly scheduled concerts. This is extraordinarily rare; there are no other programs in composition that offer undergraduate students these kinds of opportunities to have major works performed and recorded on large ensemble concerts.
Because of our emphasis on having your music performed by live musicians and ensembles, our students graduate with a stellar portfolio of high-quality recordings that help unlock opportunities after graduation. These portfolios have helped open doors for students to go on to prestigious Master's programs in composition, as well as work in the creative arts industries (film, new media, gaming) in the Los Angeles area and beyond.
Our program also features a dedicated partnership with students and faculty at Woodbury University in Burbank, CA—right in the heart of the film, television, and media industry here in Southern California. Composers at Redlands work with filmmakers, game designers, animators, and other new media creators at Woodbury to provide original, high-quality music for a wide range of projects. These collaborative opportunities afford Redlands composers industry experience and networking opportunities that are unique among undergraduate programs.
Redlands attracts students who are curious about the world beyond music. Because our conservatory training is married to our commitment to the liberal arts, composition students at Redlands often pursue double majors. Recently, composition majors have graduated with second majors in areas as diverse as performance, mathematics, creative writing, computer science, and Spanish—all in four years. Composition students also regularly study abroad, with composers studying at programs in Salzburg, Vienna, and Amsterdam.
Our focus is on the success of our students; through high standards and compassionate, one-on-one teaching and mentoring, we work with each of our students as artists first, helping them discover, through hard work, guided focus, and encouragement, their truest and most enthralling musical work. Simultaneously, we work to develop the real-world skills, recordings, and networks to support a pathway to a meaningful musical life and career.
Classes you'll take
To view specific classes, program requirements, and coursework information, visit the current university catalog.
What you'll learn
- Develop and defend musical judgements.
- Demonstrate the ability to realize a variety of musical styles.
- Demonstrate the technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression at a level appropriate for the particular music concentration.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills sufficient to work as a leader and in collaboration on matters of musical interpretation.
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School of Performing Arts applicants
A supplemental School of Performing Arts (SOPA) application and audition are required for those who want to major or minor in Music and/or Theatre. For more information on the program, application, or audition, please contact Brad Andrews (the Director of Admissions for the School of Performing Arts) at brad_andrews@redlands.edu or (909) 748-8014.
To be admitted to the Conservatory of Music and/or the Department of Theatre and Dance, you must also be admitted to the University of Redlands.
In addition to filing The Common Application, a supplemental application and audition are required. The School of Performing Arts (SOPA) application includes options for music and theatre.
You can submit the SOPA application via your application status portal after you have applied to University of Redlands.
Spring 2026 deadlines:
- November 1 - application deadline
- December 1 - audition deadline
Fall 2026 application and audition dates and deadlines:
- February 7 - Music auditions at University of Redlands
- February 14 - Music and theatre auditions at University of Redlands
- February 15 - Video audition submission deadline
- February 21 - Virtual Interviews
Anyone wishing to participate in a music ensemble while pursuing a major other than music is invited to apply and audition for a talent scholarship. Applicants interested in this opportunity should choose the Ensemble Only option on the music application.
Video auditions can be one or multiple video files and should include:
- Please include the title of your piece/character and the name of the composer/play. These can be announced verbally or displayed as a title in the video.
- Video auditions can be uploaded on your application status page after you submit the SOPA application.
Helpful resources:
Undergraduate music programs include:
- Bachelor of Music in Composition
- Bachelor of Music in Music Education - Certified Single Subject Teaching Credential Program
- Bachelor of Music in Performance
- Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music
- Minor in Music
Undergraduate theatre and dance programs include:
- Bachelor of Arts with a major in Theatre
- Bachelor of Arts with a major in Theatre Business
- Minor in Theatre
- Minor in Musical Theatre
- Minor in Dance (no application or audition required)
Undergraduate application deadlines
Fall Term - First Year
Early Action 1: November 1
Early Action 2: December 1
Regular Decision: January 15*
Spring Term - First Year
Deadline: November 1*
Fall Term - Transfer
Priority Deadline: March 1*
Spring Term - Transfer
Priority Deadline: November 1*
Note
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after the deadline based on capacity.
Find us on campus
Watchorn Hall
Contact us
For more info on the program, application, or audition, contact Brad Andrews, Director of Admissions for the School of Performing Arts.
Graduates pursue careers in
Many students choose to continue their training at the Masters level, and our students have gone on to distinguished M.M. programs in composition and film scoring at institutions that include Peabody, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, San Francisco Conservatory, UCLA, CSU-Long Beach, to name a few.
Some graduates use their training, portfolios, and professional networks from Redlands to pursue careers in:
• Film, media, and new media
• Video game and interactive sound industries
• Composition for visual and digital arts
• Film, media, and new media
• Video game and interactive sound industries
• Composition for visual and digital arts
Students who develop strong performance and composition skills often combine both paths to build careers as:
• Performer-composers
• Independent artists and entrepreneurs
• Professionals engaged in creative production and collaboration
• Performer-composers
• Independent artists and entrepreneurs
• Professionals engaged in creative production and collaboration
Other graduates apply their skills in diverse professional fields, including:
• K–12 and higher education
• Finance, law, and marketing
• Music therapy
• K–12 and higher education
• Finance, law, and marketing
• Music therapy
Graduates pursue careers in
200+ annual recitals and concerts
200+ annual recitals and concerts
Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chapel Singers, University Choir, Opera Workshop, Studio Big Band, Jazz Improvisation Ensemble, Jazz Guitar Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble, Low Brass Ensemble, Chamber Ensembles, Rhythm Ave Singers, and Mariachi Tierras Rojas.
• Feast of Lights is a University of Redlands holiday tradition since 1947, the Feast features the choral and instrumental programs.
• Opera Workshop performs a major production with orchestra each spring.
• Musical Theatre and Opera have the School of Performing Arts (SOPA) students work in collaboration with faculty to produce and perform a full staged musical production or opera in alternating years.
• Opera Workshop performs a major production with orchestra each spring.
• Musical Theatre and Opera have the School of Performing Arts (SOPA) students work in collaboration with faculty to produce and perform a full staged musical production or opera in alternating years.
• The Conservatory of Music has a close relationship with the Redlands Symphony Orchestra (RSO). Students have opportunities to play in the RSO as an assistant, substitute, or section player.
• Undergraduate and graduate music students can compete to perform in the President's Honor Recitial.
• Undergraduate and graduate music students can compete to perform in the President's Honor Recitial.
Student Testimonial
“Redlands has given me the opportunity to expand my musical knowledge and helped pave the road for a life in music."
— Justin Brunette ’16, Bachelor of Music in vocal performance
Conservatory of Music
In the Conservatory of Music, our goal is to help each student achieve their potential to become a well-rounded musician. Our faculty are accomplished performers, composers, scholars, and educators dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians. Explore all our music programs, upcoming recitals, featured events, and ensemble opportunities.
Redlands' Signature Experiences
The Core Four Framework
At Redlands, our students’ success is at the heart of everything we do. We offer experiential learning opportunities, but our CORE Four initiative takes that commitment to a deeper, intentional level. More than a set of experiences, the CORE Four is a framework for transformation. Learn more about how students can prepare for their academic journey.
Want to know more?
Get in touch with our admissions team.
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