Our Music Composition Degree
Create the new classics
Learn to compose tomorrow's classics in our music composition major.
Get the thrill of hearing your work performed live during your first year. We hold a composers' concert each semester devoted to student-created work.
Our music department is collaborative yet competitive, pushing you to grow as a musician and composer.
You'll explore a variety of musical styles, conduct student ensembles and become well-versed in music literature and theory.
We're one of a few undergraduate-only institutions to offer a music composition degree program. It's small and selective, giving you plenty of chances to work one-on-one with faculty who are experienced educators and active performers.
Be ready for graduate school
Although music composition is one of our newest degrees, it's already thriving. In fact, one of our first graduates is studying at the famed Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Adding one of our interdisciplinary minors, like arts administration, help you gain a better understanding of important topics in today’s world.
You'll be more than ready to go to graduate school and then onto a career as a composer, arranger or teacher of composition.
A Susquehanna education provides students with flexibility in coursework so they can conduct research, intern and study abroad. When it comes to your major, you’ll begin taking classes in your chosen program of study in your first year.
Here are some of the courses that music composition majors take in their first few semesters at Susquehanna.
- Survey of World Music
- Theory I and II
- Ear Training I and II
- Lessons and Ensembles
Download the current course catalog on this page to see the full list of classes and course descriptions for Susquehanna’s majors.
Graduates have gone on to graduate school at:
University of Florida
University of Southern Maine
Stony Brook University
University of North Texas
Boston University
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
Drexel University
Eastman School of Music
Indiana University
University of Michigan
New England Conservatory of Music
Northwestern University
Peabody Institute of Music
Pennsylvania State University
Temple University
Yale University
Graduates have gone on to jobs at:
Milton Area High School
Temple University
Widener University
Atonement Lutheran Church
Staats Operette Dresden
University of North Texas College of Music
South Shore Symphony Orchestra
Pinellas Youth Symphony
University of Connecticut
Loyalsock Township School District
Stone Hill Middle School
Jumoke Academy Charter Schools
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
Utah Opera
Brass
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Director of Bands
Trumpet
Conducting
hinton@susqu.edu
570-372-4296
Composition
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Theory & Composition
Music Technology
longp@susqu.edu
570-372-4289
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Bass
Theory & Composition
Jazz Band
Music History
davisj@susqu.edu
570-372-4286
Conducting
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Director of Bands
Trumpet
Conducting
hinton@susqu.edu
570-372-4296
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Director of Choral Activities
Conducting
Music Education
voorhees@susqu.edu
570-372-4295
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Orchestra
Conducting
Music Education
smithjr@susqu.edu
570-372-4287
Ensembles
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Bass
Theory & Composition
Jazz Band
Music History
davisj@susqu.edu
570-372-4286
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Director of Bands
Trumpet
Conducting
hinton@susqu.edu
570-372-4296
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Music Department Chair
Voice
steinau@susqu.edu
570-372-4285
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Director of Choral Activities
Conducting
Music Education
voorhees@susqu.edu
570-372-4295
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Orchestra
Conducting
Music Education
smithjr@susqu.edu
570-372-4287
Keyboard
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Organ & Harpsicord
Music History
Ear Training
kriegerm@susqu.edu
570-372-4292
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Piano
Music Theory
niskala@susqu.edu
570-372-4152
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Collaborative Piano
Ear Training
namminga@susqu.edu
570-372-4781
Music Education
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Theory & Composition
Music Technology
longp@susqu.edu
570-372-4289
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Coordinator of Music Education
rodrigueza@susqu.edu
570-372-4536
Department: Music
Visiting Assistant Professor Music
stante@susqu.edu
570-372-4474
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Director of Bands
Trumpet
Conducting
hinton@susqu.edu
570-372-4296
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Saxophone
Music Education
gblevinsky@susqu.edu
570-372-4266
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Director of Choral Activities
Conducting
Music Education
voorhees@susqu.edu
570-372-4295
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Orchestra
Conducting
Music Education
smithjr@susqu.edu
570-372-4287
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Bass
Music Education
rodriguezparada@susqu.edu
570-372-4281
Music History
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Bass
Theory & Composition
Jazz Band
Music History
davisj@susqu.edu
570-372-4286
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Organ & Harpsicord
Music History
Ear Training
kriegerm@susqu.edu
570-372-4292
Music Technology
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Theory & Composition
Music Technology
longp@susqu.edu
570-372-4289
Music Theory & Ear Training
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Theory & Composition
Music Technology
longp@susqu.edu
570-372-4289
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Organ & Harpsicord
Music History
Ear Training
kriegerm@susqu.edu
570-372-4292
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Piano
Music Theory
niskala@susqu.edu
570-372-4152
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Collaborative Piano
Ear Training
namminga@susqu.edu
570-372-4781
Percussion
Strings
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Bass
Theory & Composition
Jazz Band
Music History
davisj@susqu.edu
570-372-4286
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Collaborative Piano
Ear Training
namminga@susqu.edu
570-372-4781
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Viola
Music History
smolensky@susqu.edu
570-372-4281
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Bass
Music Education
rodriguezparada@susqu.edu
570-372-4281
Voice
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Music Department Chair
Voice
steinau@susqu.edu
570-372-4285
Woodwinds
Department: Music
Area of Speciality:
Saxophone
Music Education
gblevinsky@susqu.edu
570-372-4266
Performance Opportunities
Choral
Choral ensembles provide students with unique musical experiences on and off campus.
Instrumental
The Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band perform a wide repertoire in a challenging and rewarding environment.
Keyboard
Pianists and organists perform in a range of solo, chamber, and large ensemble settings on the finest instruments.
Jazz
A traditional big band and small combos appear at a variety of venues.
Chamber Music
Small ensembles offer opportunities to study highly specialized literature.
Opera
The Opera Studio performs fully-staged productions with orchestra in addition to programs of opera scenes.
seats in Stretansky Concert Hall
2
percussion rooms
150
years teaching music
Music Preparatory Program for Children and Adults
The program provides the surrounding communities with lifelong learning opportunities for professional music study and enrichment activities in an academic environment, including individual lessons in voice, piano, organ, and most band and orchestra instruments, along with group music classes for infants through adults.
The hallmark of the program is the rich collaboration among music faculty, music students, and the children and adults who take lessons and classes.
Read More
Contact Us
Phone & Email
570-372-4281
Admissions and auditions: adamss@susqu.edu
General information: boggsj@susqu.edu