A harmonious blend of culture, heritage, and music painted the Loire Valley during the second annual Musiques et Vignes en Confluence, a chamber music festival in central France. Bernard Zinck (Associate Professor of Violin and Area Head of Strings and String Pedagogy) created the Musiques et Vignes en Confluence in …
Music Composition & Theory, MM MM
Take your love of music and experience in computer notation, theory, literature and analysis to the next level and create the future of music. And because our faculty are experienced composers and educators, you’ll work alongside people who are passionate about teaching and helping you grow in the music profession.
The Master of Music with a concentration in Composition & Theory is ideal for people like you who possess creative talents in acquiring and utilizing the techniques and craft of musical composition. We foster development in instrumental, vocal and electroacoustic composition, with an emphasis on contemporary and experimental techniques.
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
On Campus
What it’s like to be a student at Peck School of the Arts
When you study music at the UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, you’ll join a supportive and collaborative community of artists. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including performance venues, practice rooms, and recording studios. In addition to performing as soloists and in ensembles, students are provided with many opportunities to attend concerts, master classes and workshops led by world-renowned musicians and scholars. Through our strong partnerships with performance organizations in Milwaukee and the surrounding region, you’ll expand your horizons and your professional network along the way.
But don’t take our word for it. See for yourself what it is like to be a student here by scheduling a personalized tour with one of our graduate program coordinators.
Program Details
Our Master of Music in Composition & Theory program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from music theory to contemporary composition techniques. You will take graduate seminars in music research and history, as well as advanced courses in composition and theory. You will also have the opportunity to work on your own creative projects and collaborate with other musicians and artists. With our focused curriculum and individualized attention, your education will fit your personal and professional goals.
View the Music MM: Theory & Composition requirements.
Studios & Ensembles
Our studios and ensembles are led by our renowned artist faculty who have active professional careers. Studios and ensembles are structured to offer a wide variety of training and performance opportunities for musicians of various abilities. Whatever your level of skill and interest, you’ll benefit from our studios and ensembles.
Entrance Auditions/Interviews & Admission
Peck School of the Arts undergraduate and graduate programs may require additional steps to enter. For most dance, music and theatre programs, applicants must first be accepted to UWM, apply to Peck School of the Arts and complete entrance requirements such as an audition and/or interview.
Scholarships & Aid
UW-Milwaukee and Peck School of the Arts offers a variety of cost-saving opportunities, including scholarships, grants, fellowships and residency-based tuition rates. Learn more about scholarship and aid opportunities available to you.
Graduate Assistantships
Students may be eligible to receive funding support and tuition remission through graduate assistantships. Approximately half of our students receive a teaching assistantship, which includes full tuition remission, stipend and benefits eligibility. As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll have varying assistantship responsibilities depending on degree, instrument, and experience.
Composition
- Studio and classroom instruction
- Assist with chamber ensemble management
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Conducting
- Serve as an assistant conductor with university ensembles
- Assist with recruitment and outreach activities
- Provide ensemble and departmental support
Guitar
- Studio, lesson and classroom instruction
- Assist with chamber ensemble management
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Music History & Literature
- Studio and classroom instruction
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Piano
- Studio and classroom instruction
- Rehearsal and performance accompaniment for choral, chamber and instrumental ensembles
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Strings
- Studio, lesson and classroom instruction
- Assist with orchestra and chamber ensemble management
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Voice
- Studio, lesson and classroom instruction
- Assist with choral, opera and vocal ensemble management
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion
- Studio, lesson and classroom instruction
- Assist with orchestra, wind band and chamber ensemble management
- Studio and departmental duties (dependent upon experience)
Music Performances
With a season packed with music concerts, you’ll have many opportunities to put your hard work on display for live audiences in our performance venues. You can also support your fellow musicians by attending their performances and broaden your musical horizons through limited engagements from visiting artists and touring acts. Learn more about venues and performing arts events.
Student Recitals
Peck School of the Arts music students take the stage in solo and group student recitals throughout the school year. Students showcase musical technique and skill, while audience members enjoy exceptional performances by Milwaukee’s emerging musicians.
Internships & Opportunities
Located within the cultural capital of Wisconsin, students regularly perform professionally both as soloists and chamber musicians in the greater Milwaukee community while earning their degree. See where your education can take you. Learn more about internships and opportunities.
Student Organizations & Clubs
Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Alumni Stories in Music
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Chamber music festival in France featured four PSOA alumni who are also siblings
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UWM Student Kathryn Henry Singing In Met Opera Audition FinalsKathryn Henry confessed she felt "so many butterflies" when she walked on the Metropolitan Opera stage Sunday morning in New York. But that was just a quick look-see for Henry and other semifinalists in the national Met Auditions competition. When she returned later that day to sing, the University of …
Careers in Music
- Accompanist
- Acoustic Engineer
- Arranger
- Artist Management
- Arts Administration
- Audio Software Designer & Programmer
- Audio/Visual Technician
- Broadcast Engineer
- Chamber Musician
- Choral Music Educator
- Clinician
- Consultant
- Collaborative Pianist
- Community Arts Organizer
- Composer
- Concert Production/Promotion
- Conductor
- Cruise Ship Entertainer
- Curator
- Development Director
- Diction Coach
- Early Music Performer
- Editor
- Education Director
- Elementary/Secondary School Teacher
- Engraver
- Ensemble Administration
- Entertainer
- Ethnomusicologist
- Event Manager
- Film Composer/Conductor
- Foley Artist
- Folk Music Performer
- Foundation Administration
- Instrumental Music Educator
- Instrumental Performer
- Instrument Repair/Restoration
- Jazz Performer
- Licensing Administrator
- Luthier
- Managing Director
- Marketing & Sales
- Mastering Engineer
- Media Developer
- Military Bands/Orchestras
- Music Cognition (Science & Medicine)
- Music Critic
- Music Education Teacher
- Music Historian
- Music Librarian
- Music Journalist/Blogger
- Music Publicist
- Music Store Owner
- Music Supervisor
- Music Therapist
- Music Theorist
- Musical Theatre Artist
- Musicologist
- Multimedia Artist
- Opera Performer
- Opera Dramaturg
- Opera Management
- Opera Prompter
- Orchestral Musician
- Outreach & Educational Programming
- Peace Corps (Teaching Music Abroad)
- Piano Tuner/Technician
- Pit Musician
- Private Studio Teacher
- Producer
- Program Notes Author
- Promotion Manager
- Publisher
- Radio Manager/Broadcasting
- Recitalist
- Recording Artist
- Record Label Administration
- Singer/Vocalist
- Songwriter/Lyricist
- Sound Designer/Engineer
- Sound Technician
- Suzuki Instructor
- Studio Musician
- Talent Agent/Director
- Television/Theatrical Composer
- Theatre Stage Manager
- University Administration
- University Faculty
- Video Game Scoring
- Vocal Coach
- Voice Therapist
- Voiceover Artist
- Wardrobe Specialist
- Wigmaker
Program Faculty
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Music faculty and staff please follow the link below.
- Assistant Professor, Composition & Technology
- Area Head, Composition & Technology
- sink@uwm.edu
- 812-361-4785
- Music Building 171