Composition and Sound Practices
The Composition and Sound Practices program focuses on facilitating the making of creative, critical, experimental, and socially engaged music, sound, and intermedia work in the context of the humanities. In this program, students compose, design, perform, and produce based on the methodological study of music and sound through research, analysis, and reflection, and by learning a broad range of composition techniques and creative technologies.
Areas of instruction include but are not limited to the analysis of music and sound compositions, the exploration of different forms of musical notation (e.g., graphic, text-based, classical, contemporary), the practice of interdisciplinary research, (e.g., composer-performer workshops, collaboration with other artists, intermedia practice) recording and production technology, performance, installations, and sculpting music and sound work.
Your Education, Our Investment
We believe that financial concerns should never be a barrier to academic and artistic excellence. The University of Chicago offers full funding for all PhD students in the Music Composition and Sound Practices program for the duration of their studies. This comprehensive package includes:
- Full Tuition and Student Fees
- Health Insurance
- A Generous Living Stipend
Collaborative Environment
The PhD in Music Composition and Sound Practices is housed within the University's esteemed Arts and Humanities Division.
This placement fosters a deeply collaborative environment where you will engage with a diverse community of artists, scholars, and thinkers. Our curriculum seamlessly integrates artistic praxis with rigorous research methodologies, providing you with the tools to both create groundbreaking work and articulate its significance.
A City of New Music Collaboration
Our program is closely connected to Chicago's vibrant and dynamic new music community. You will have direct access to a network of world-class ensembles and organizations, with opportunities for collaboration and performance.
Among others, our partners have included:
- Ensemble Dal Niente
- ~Nois Saxophone Quartet
- Third Coast Percussion
- Civic Orchestra of Chicago
