Doctor of Philosophy in Music- Composition

As a leader in the burgeoning field of intercultural composition, the UH Mnoa composition program is designed to engage students not only with music from the Western tradition, but also the rich variety of multicultural resources that is shaping and defining the 21st century.

The program aims to develop a strong technical foundation while simultaneously encouraging students to seek their own unique compositional voices. Students work with each of the faculty composers, receiving a variety of perspectives and feedback on their music and enabling them to glean from each faculty member that which is most useful for them as individual developing composers.

With its groundbreaking focus and its unparalleled resources in intercultural composition, UH Mnoa offers students a truly unique educational experience.


Much more than just a stunningly beautiful place with a year-round moderate climate, Hawaii consists of a rich mix of people representing cultures from all parts of the world. With its large population of East Asian descent, Honolulu provides many opportunities for interested students to learn about the cultures of Japan, China and Korea in particular.

In addition to its setting within the community, the composition program benefits from its setting within the university as well, building on and complementing the longtime strength of the ethnomusicology program, which is renowned for its focus on musics of Asia and the Pacific. Composition students may participate in regular ensemble course offerings in Koto, Shakuhachi, Okinawan Jamisen &, singing, Gagaku, Chinese Ensemble, Korean Ensemble, Gamelan (Java and Bali), Hawaiian Chorus, Hawaiian Ensemble, Hula &, Chant, Samoan Ensemble, Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar and Tahitian Ensemble, as well as standard Western offerings such as Contemporary Music Ensemble, Chamber Music, Choirs, Orchestra, and Band.

In addition, the ethnomusicology and composition programs are host to a number of accomplished student performers of Asian instruments, currently including guzheng, erhu, ajaeng, gayageum, janggu, pansori voice, shakuhachi and taiko. The opportunity for composition students to collaborate with these musicians, many of whom are actually professional performers in their own right, is unmatched by any other school in the U.S.

The new music scene in Honolulu revolves primarily around the composition program, which regularly works with ensembles, organizations, and individuals in the community, the U.S. and the world to present concerts and other events. Frequent performances of faculty works also enable composition students to witness the professional collaboration between composer and performer.

applicants for admission to the PhD program must present:

a master's degree in music (in the area of emphasis) or equivalent,
an excellent academic record,
two copies of a transcript from each post secondary institution attended
(official transcripts sent directly from the institution in a sealed institutional envelope must be submitted after the student is admitted, transcripts are not required for any coursework completed at any of the UH campuses since Graduate Admissions will obtain UH transcripts on behalf of applicants.),
three confidential letters of recommendation (not more than two years old) on forms provided by the music department,
a sample of academic writing proficiency such as a recent term paper, and
for non-native speakers of English a TOEFL score of 560 or better.
Graduate Division requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 for unconditional admissio
Applicants who are not native speakers of English must take the Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL) and have the TOEFL score sent directly to the University of Hawaii at Mnoa. Paper-based (P), computer-based (C), and internet-based (I) minimum requirements for UH Music are:
560(P), 220(C), or 83(I) for all PhD students, and IELTS- Minimum score is 6.00 for the IELTS Academic overall band test results