You will work closely with our faculty of internationally recognized film composers and industry professionals as you receive intensive training in music composition, technology, and contemporary trends of music for media. As a student, you will participate in scoring recording sessions, have your music premiered live, and work with filmmakers, game designers, and journalists as you expand your professional network beyond the classroom.
Degree Details
Official Degree Title
Bachelor of Music in Music Theory and Composition (concentration in Screen Scoring)
Format
Full-time or Part-time
Credits
128
Start Date
Fall
Application Deadlines
Early Decision 1
Early Decision 2
Regular Decision
Internal Transfer Applications
Transfer Applications
During your studies, you will:
- Receive robust training in music theory and core classes, including theories for screen music, exploring the application of harmonic and melodic principles through a narrative lens.
- Become proficient in instrumentation and orchestration, taking at least four courses in the area. Practice your skills with guest performers, orchestral ensembles, and recording sessions that serve as laboratories for current industry practices.
- Take private composition lessons with well-respected film composers and industry professionals every semester.
- Learn the the foundations of storytelling, and film language, and be prepared to watch and discuss 100 movies during your studies in our classes.
- Participate in multiple performances and collaborations with New York University musicians and ensembles, featuring your live music set to the screen.
- Master the technology required to work in the field of screen scoring (DAWs, sample libraries, synthesizers, game middleware), as you learn the vital aesthetics and techniques vital for multimedia (film, video games, TV, advertisements).
- Learn how to record and professionally produce top-quality demos with performing musicians through hybrid recording sessions designed to help you develop the versatile and skillful professional the industry now demands.
- Learn music history from a wide variety of approaches, including screen music and global traditions.
- Take more than 20 credits of electives to develop other areas of specialization, or to delve deeper into scoring.
In our program, we believe mentorship is one of the most efficient ways to help you develop your creative voice, skills, and professionalism. We believe in individualized attention to help you forge your unique academic path. This is why you will:
- Meet with an advisor to mentor you with your artistic and academic decisions, who will guide you through your studies and professional career.
- Have a very dedicated faculty and staff ready to assist you whenever needed. You will be mentored in the recording studio, preparing reels or pitching as you learn how to network and collaborate. You will put these skills into practice as you meet and collaborate with students from New York’s top film and media programs.
- Have a private lesson every week with a dedicated industry mentor and professional media composer each semester of your studies.
- Have the opportunity to receive weekly feedback on your work from renowned composers, songwriters, publishers, and industry executives in New York City and beyond through our Composers’ Forum Fridays@1 Masterclass Series.
- Take advantage of internships with industry composers, professionals, and companies in New York and Los Angeles that will help you develop your professional skills and expand your career network beyond NYU.
In addition to your classes, our program provides a wide range of professional opportunities and performances. These are aimed to help you develop and to connect you with the professional world:
- Every year, we connect our class with over 300 projects from the top film programs in New York including the NYU Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, Columbia University School of the Arts, The School of Visual Arts, the Arthur L Carter Journalism Institute, the American University School of Journalism, the CUNY School of Journalism, the Columbia Journalism School, and the NYU Game Center.
- You will form professional relationships that will last beyond your studies.
- Through our Composers’ Forum Fridays@1 Masterclass series, we bring professionals to discuss their process and critique your work every week.
- Every year, we offer several opportunities to have your music performed live through our collaborations with NYU’s Contemporary Music Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble, and our annual Film Scoring Competition, in which winners have their scores for NYU Tisch films performed live by the NYU Symphony Orchestra.
- Our Composers Collective, a student-led organization, presents multiple concerts and informal events every semester designed to help you further connect with your peers and experience an entrepreneurial approach to concert planning.
Questions
If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact Dr. Sergi Casanelles at sergi.casanelles@nyu.edu.
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