What to Expect

Think all the great composers lived a couple of centuries ago? Think again! The past century has seen a lot of great composers. Music theory and composition programs continue to train the composers of the future.

Peter Franck took a master's degree in music composition. His classes included "the usual, analysis, musicology, all ranging from Josquin to Ligeti," he says.

Franck says it's tough to say how much homework is required in this program. He says he did the work until it was done.

Chris Tilton studied music composition at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He says he typically spent a couple hours a night on homework, usually writing music. There were times, though, when he spent eight hours or more writing music.

How to Prepare

High school didn't offer much that helped Franck along the music theory and composition lines. He says not many classes were offered that related to this discipline.

Tilton agrees that no classes were really available in high school to help further his interest in music theory. But there are other things you can do.

"Listen to as much classical music as you can, including important works of the 20th century by composers such as Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Lutoslawski, Shostakovich, Ravel, etc," says Tilton.