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 & Technology, BFA BFA
You’re already creating new music and experimenting with different sounds. It’s time to take your creativity, musical talent and technical skills to the next level and make waves in today’s ever-evolving music industry. With our music composition degree program, you’ll find the perfect balance of traditional and modern music education to do just that.
We believe that music composition and technology go hand in hand. The Music Composition & Technology program fosters development in instrumental, vocal and electroacoustic composition, with an emphasis on contemporary and experimental techniques. We also support your growth through lessons with expert faculty and working on projects including composition, electronic instrument design and multimedia production. With a focus on both traditional music theory and cutting-edge music production techniques, our graduates are well-equipped for success in the dynamic and diverse world of music.
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
What it’s like to be a student at Peck School of the Arts
When you study music composition and technology at the UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, you have access to equipment and facilities designed with you in mind, including recording studios and rehearsal spaces. Our program also emphasizes hands-on learning and collaboration, which means you’ll gain practical experience and develop professional skills while working on projects that reflect your unique artistic vision.
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 and info session.
Program Details
The music composition degree lays a foundation of pencil-and-paper composition, which covers a variety of approaches to notation, rhythm, harmony, texture and orchestration. At the same time, electronic music courses inspire you to apply current music technology to your work in innovative ways. You’ll explore digital audio, analog synthesis, surround sound and spatialization, creative applications of recording and editing, algorithmic composition and computer programming for audio.
There are many opportunities to showcase your work through the Music From Almost Yesterday student organization, Electroacoustic Salon concerts and the Contemporary Music Ensemble. Plus, we have a music festival called Unruly Music that features performances from guest artists, faculty, and students.
View the Music, BFA: Music Composition & Technology 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 offer a diverse financial aid package for students, including Midwest residence savings, scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities and student loans.
Living Learning Communities
Live in campus housing on the same floor or wing as other students in your major or program. The Peck School of the Arts offers three Living Learning Communities where you can be a part of a “community within a community.” You’ll make friends, form study groups and do social activities together. And, best of all, there is no additional cost to be a part of a Living Learning Community.
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.
- Lecturer, Composition & Technology, Music Theory
- haering@uwm.edu
- 517-763-8607
- Music Building 111
- Assistant Professor, Composition & Technology
- Area Head, Composition & Technology
- sink@uwm.edu
- 812-361-4785
- Music Building 171