Master of Music in Music - Composition with Interactive Technology

The Theory and Composition area at California State University, Long Beach is a comprehensive and progressive program that prepares students for successful careers in concert, media (film, television, animation or video game), dance, theater and/or experimental music. The curriculum provides the necessary techniques, materials, practices and technological experiences for students to envision and pursue their own careers. Students demonstrate determination, curiosity, and a strong work ethic, while the area is guided by a faculty with diverse and extensive artistic and pedagogical experience. Private, one-on-one, studio instruction by our composition faculty and a recital project distinguishes our program. Students have the opportunity to receive additional feedback in composition class and the Composition Colloquium, the weekly idea emporium required to all composition major students. In addition, students have an array of courses to choose from: media scoring to songwriting, interactive media to sound design, from arranging to jazz theory, and from business of music to conducting. The university environment provides the ideal platform for collaborations with other programs: animation, dance, art, theater, design, engineering, science, and math.

Prospective graduate students in Composition must submit a portfolio of creative work in lieu of an audition. The portfolio should contain:

Three to five recent original notated works that demonstrate awareness of twentieth and twenty-first-century practices in composition
Sound recordings of the works submitted. Electronic realizations are acceptable, but recordings by live musicians are preferred
A complete list of works including title, duration, instrumentation, and performances for each piece
For applicants to the M.M. in Composition with Interactive Media, acceptable portfolio materials may include audio recordings, videos, scores, or any documentation of your performances, installations or collaborative projects that illuminate your work.

Prepare Supplementary Materials
A statement of purpose describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study in Composition. Be sure to mention your intended concentration (Composition or Composition with Interactive Media) as part of your statement
Professional r'sum
Three letters of recommendation
Official transcripts from your bachelor's degree-conferring institution
Unofficial transcripts documenting any music coursework at other institutions

Have earned a grade point average of at least 2.5 on the last degree completed by the candidate or have attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 (A=4.0) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted, and

IELTS - 6.5
TOEFL Internet-based (iBT) - 80
TOEFL Paper-based - 550