B.M. in Music Composition
The music composition degree at Biola's Conservatory of Music will give you opportunities to compose concert and film music, learn valuable skills in music business and technology, and explore what it means to be a composer committed to Christ.
In addition to its strong curriculum, expert faculty members and biblical integration, Biola’s music composition program offers several key advantages:
- Biola University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music
- Highly experienced and dedicated faculty
- Strong academic preparation for graduate school
- State of the art composition studio
- Numerous opportunities for original works to be performed and recorded
- Close proximity to Los Angeles
- Competitions and National Conferences such as PERC, CFAMC
- Opportunities to collaborate on student film projects with Biola’s Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts, the #1 Christian film school
- Special scholarship awards
- Small, close-knit community of Christian believers
Concentrations
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Career Outlook and Preparation
What can you do with a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition?
Whether it's writing music for the big screen, composing music for the world's great concert halls, or teaching composition and theory at the university level, our graduates are impacting the world for Jesus Christ in professions such as:
- Composer
- Copyist
- Film score writer
- Music arranger
- Film music orchestrator
- Principal accompanist
- Professor of composition
In addition, many composition students pursue graduate studies, while others move directly into the music industry. Biola music composition graduates have become recognizable masters in their artistry. Highlights include:
- Grammy Award Winning Performing Artist
- Winner of The ASCAP Foundation Max Dreyfus Scholarship
- Film Composer and Orchestrator for Warner Bros. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
- ASCAP Composer to Watch
- Nomination for the Best Original Score: Biola Film Festival and Southeastern 180 Film Festival
- Featured Solo Violinist Seattle Pacific University Jazz Ensemble
- Assistant to Academy & Emmy Award Winner, Todd Boekelheide
- Graduate study at prestigious schools such as New York University, European American Musical Alliance in Paris, University of Southern California, Eastman School of Music, and Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
3% job growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for music directors and composers is projected to be as fast as average between 2023 and 2033.
BLS projections are not specific to Biola University students or graduates.
My time at Biola prepared me for life as a young composer in more ways than one. My mentors gave me priceless guidance, both artistic and practical, in succeeding as a professional musician. I know I can approach any new project, commission, or collaboration with confidence because of what I learned at the Biola Conservatory.
Composition (Oboe), B.M. '11
While the academic training here at Biola is the primary focus, practical business and interpersonal relationship training is paramount for success in the “real world.” The staff and faculty here have provided mentorship and biblical guidance in addition to knowledge of theory and composition that has developed my character as well as my craft. Without this, I would be simply a determined, but misguided, young mind, lost in pipe dreams.
Music Composition, B.M. '19
Biola gave me many vital life skills that transferred over into my career. Biola also directly prepared me for grad school at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The mentors and teachers I met at Biola pushed me toward good and challenging things in my life. My education at Biola taught me to think for myself, try hard at what I’m good at, and to go through the doors that God opens for me.
Music Composition, B.M. '16
My experiences at Biola - especially those with applied faculty - helped me solidify the connection and intersection that is present between my craft as a musician, and my identity as a child of God. As I return to join the applied voice faculty, I hope that I can help my students identify the same crucial intersection that has informed my own musical preparation and performance.
Composition (Voice), B.M. '13
Everywhere you go, you wear your faith. When you have the Holy Spirit, when you have that core, it doesn’t falter. No matter what major, what classes you’re in or what you’re studying, soak it up. It’s what shapes you... Soak up the serenity, those peaceful places on campus. Once you leave, you have to be a lot more intentional.
Composition (Keyboard and Voice), B.M. '05
