SFCM composition member David Conte and SFCM student working together
  1. Areas of Study
  2. Composition

Write the music you dreamed of.

Composition Department Chair, David Conte, and Alexander Goodhart '16

Prize-winning faculty develop and refine the skills of the next generation of great composers.

The composition department both honors tradition and encourages innovation. Our four versatile faculty members closely mentor students while maintaining high-profile composing careers. We strongly emphasize interdepartmental collaboration, matching composers with performers, as well as offer frequent concerts and readings of student works. Every year, SFCM hosts the Highsmith Competition, an internal composition contest that grants the winner a performance of the submitted work by the Conservatory Orchestra. You'll be able to take advantage of the extraordinarily rich musical life of San Francisco, home to some of the most groundbreaking musical activity of the past half-century.

Faculty

Accomplished composers, dedicated mentors

SFCM student in 50 Oak

VISITING THE CAMPUS

We’re waiting to show you around.

We look forward to your visit! Contact the Office of Admissions to take a tour of our facilities. You can also contact the composition faculty directly to arrange a consultative lesson.

SFCM and Opus 3 alliance
SFCM changed global music education in 2020 by acquiring management company Opus3 Artists, home to over 250 top musicians. Masterclasses, recording sessions, and side-by-sides with members of the Opus 3 roster are only the beginning of our work together to invent the future of performances.
SFCM students in classroom

AUDIT A CLASS

Get a feel for the curriculum.

We've saved a seat for you. During your visit to SFCM, sit in on a class or two and see what it's like to be a student at the Conservatory.

SFCM students on stage

DEGREES AND PROGRAMS

Qualify yourself for the future.

Detailed curricula are available for the two offered composition music degrees at SFCM.

SFCM performance