Composition Degrees and New Music Ensemble

The University of Missouri offers a wide array of classes in composition, a forum to collaborate with artists working in various mediums, projects to engage the community in the creative process, and numerous opportunities for students to have their works performed on and off campus. Some of this opportunities available each year for MU Composition students are:

Writing works for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Commissions and premieres at The Sheldon Concert Series
Collaborating with other art forms and venues at our Sound of Art
Witnessing a world-class contemporary music festival every summer at the Mizzou International Composers Festival.

Additionally, MU composers have access to our graduate New Music Ensemble, which is dedicated to performing works of student composers studying at MU and works by national and international guests. Our annual Sinquefield Composition Prize gives one of our students the opportunity to have a work for large ensemble performed at the annual Chancellor's Concert.

Incoming students may be admitted to the composition program after a review of sample compositions and an interview with the composition faculty (normally on one of the Mizzou Music Days). This is in addition to an audition on the major instrument/voice, which is required of all prospective music majors. Current music majors not previously admitted to composition may apply to enter the composition program by contacting the coordinator of the composition area (freunds@missouri.edu) no later than April 1 and arranging an interview to review previous course work and a composition portfolio. In addition, a grade of B or higher must have been achieved in all composition and theory courses.

Step 1: University of Missouri Application

Step 2: Schedule an Audition

Step 3: Prepare for your Audition

In addition to an audition on your major instrument, you need to submit a composition portfolio by January 6 (postmark deadline) with the following components:

Three or more written or printed scores of contrasting original works.
Recordings of the same works. Live recordings are preferred but MIDI recordings are accepted. Submit recordings in one of these three formats: MP3, AIFF, or WAV, and scores in PDF format.
Music resume containing: (1) list of works composed with instrumentation and date composed; (2) list of performances your works have received, including dates, performers, and location; (3) performance accomplishments on your primary instrument; (4) education; and (5) full contact information.
One-page essay describing why you are seeking a degree in music composition and your future goals as a musician.

Submit all materials via email to:

Managing Director Mizzou New Music Initiative, Andrea Luque Káram (andrea.luquekaram@missouri.edu)

Label audio files and PDFs in the following format: Last Name_Title of Piece
Subject of the email should be BM Composition Application (Year X) - Last Name

Funding Opportunities: Click Here

Step 1: University of Missouri Application (Priority Deadline: December 1st)

You will need to submit:

Application form
Unofficial transcripts
TOEFL scores (international students)
Application fee ($75 domestic, $100 international)
Contact information for three individuals who will be asked to write letters of recommendation for you
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
Essay describing your professional goals
Select a preferred date for an in-person audition or interview.
- It is highly recommended that graduate applicants visit the campus in person, however, if you are unable to attend one of the specified dates, you may request a special date.
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
Essay describing your professional goals
Composition Portfolio

Step 2: Select a preferred date for an in-person audition or interview through your application.

It is highly recommended that graduate applicants visit the campus in person, however, if you are unable to attend one of the specified dates, you may request a special date.

Through your Graduate School application, you will be able to select preferred in-person audition dates. The dates for students planning to enter in the Fall 2025 semester are:

Friday, Jan. 24, 2025
Friday, Feb. 21, 2025

Step 3: Await invitation to interview.

Funding Opportunities: Click Here

Email Managing Director, Andrea Luque Karam (andrea.luquekaram@missouri.edu) with any questions.

The Mizzou New Music Ensemble, under the direction of faculty composer and Alarm Will Sound member Dr. Stefan Freund collaborates with MU’s faculty and student composers, performs frequently on and off campus, and works with some of the world’s leading composers and interpreters of new music. All members of the New Music Ensemble are fully funded.

For 2025-2026 the Mizzou New Music Ensemble is seeking performers in the following areas (click each instrument to learn more about each studio):

Flute
Clarinet
Violin
Cello
Piano (Performance; Collaborative Piano)

Step 1: University of Missouri Application (Priority Deadline: December 1st)

You will need to submit:

Application form
Unofficial transcripts
TOEFL scores (international students)
Application fee ($75 domestic, $100 international)
Contact information for three individuals who will be asked to write letters of recommendation for you.
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
Essay describing your professional goals
Select a preferred date for an in-person audition or interview.
- It is highly recommended that graduate applicants visit the campus in person, however, if you are unable to attend one of the specified dates, you may request a special date.
One or more of the following:
- Repertoire list
- Pre-screening video recording

Step 2: Select a preferred date for an in-person audition or interview through your application.

It is highly recommended that graduate applicants visit the campus in person, however, if you are unable to attend one of the specified dates, you may request a special date.

Through your Graduate School application, you will be able to select preferred in-person audition dates. The dates for students planning to enter in the Fall 2025 semester are: