1.
How do you become a composition student at OCU?
2. How many students are enrolled as composition majors?
3. Can you study composition if it is not your major?
4. Do composition students meet on a regular basis?
5. How long are the undergraduate and graduate degree programs?
6. What is "Project 21 Concert Series"?
7. Do you have to have prior experience to study composition?
8. Do I have to audition for the composition program? If so,
in what?
9. What are the OCU Composer alumni success stories?
10. What musical styles represent the department of composition?
11. How do I get my music performed at OCU?
12. Who teaches composition at OCU?
13. Can I contact current composition majors?
14. Can I directly contact composition faculty?
15. Does OCU offer composition Scholarships?
16. Are audio recordings made and kept of new compositions?
17. How often can we perform new works at OCU?
18. Can I get archived recordings of OCU composition performances?
19. What are the credentials of the OCU composition faculty?
20. Can I write music for other mediums and genre other than
music?
21. How many students from abroad study composition at OCU?
1. How do you become a composition student at OCU?
There are two steps to apply to be a composition student. First, apply for admission to the university, and second, schedule
an audition on a major instrument or voice for the school of music as well as an interview with the composition faculty along with a composition portfolio. Once accepted, all that is left is to enroll in the composition program once admitted. Back
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2. How many students are enrolled as composition majors?
The number varies, but generally between 15 and 20 total undergraduate and graduate composition
majors enrolled at OCU. Back
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3. Can you study composition if it is not your major?
Absolutely! There are several opportunities for studying composition at
OCU. You can enroll in class composition, private composition lessons
with Dr. Kris Maloy, or Independent Study composition lessons. Back to top
4. Do composition students meet on a regular basis?
Yes. Composition students, as well as non-composition students participate
in Composers forum. The weekly assembly provides a
venue for musicians to discuss topics relevant to the field of composition.
The convention of diverse ideas and perspectives provides composers at all
stages of their development with valuable resources for artistic development.
The Forum enables students to learn from one another in a variety of ways:
exploring new musical ideas, encountering various composition techniques,
exposing oneself to a mixture of viewpoints, and participating in broad-based
discussions. Back
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5. How long are the undergraduate and graduate degree programs?
On a normal track for undergraduates, the composition
program runs a full four years or eight semesters. The graduate program follows
a two-year four-semester track. Back to top
6. What is "Project 21 Concert Series"?
Composers present their works at numerous concerts held each year. Students
gain experience through critical and creative processes by bringing original
work from its conceptual stage to the reality of rehearsal, revision and performance. Back to top
7. Do you have to have prior experience to study composition?
No. To study composition you do not have to have experience in the area. However,
to major in composition, you must have prior experience presented in a portfolio,
i.e. arrangements, original works, orchestrations, etc. Back to top
8. Do I have to audition for the composition program? If so,
in what?
Yes. All prospective students wanting to enter the OCU School of Music must
audition to enter
the program. For the composition program, you must select a major instrument
or voice to audition. In addition to this audition process, those wanting
to pursue composition as a major must present a portfolio for review.Back to top
9. What are the OCU Composer alumni success stories?
OCU alumni are enrolled in graduate composition programs at schools
including the Royal College of Music in London, Juilliard, Yale,
Manhattan School of Music, New York University, Cal Arts, Bowling
Green, University of Texas at Austin, Kansas City Conservatory,
University of Southern California, and University of North Texas.
Recent graduates are scoring films, composing and arranging for
multimedia applications, serving as music directors, touring the Austin
band circuit, and teaching. Back to top
10. What musical styles represent the department of composition?
Diversity. In all actuality, there is no one way to describe the musical styles
of the department. A focus of the program is to provide each emerging composer with the abilities and the experience needed to succeed and fully develop his or her personal voice and style. Back to top
11. How do I get my music performed at OCU?
Project 21 hosts between 5-7 concerts each year, comprised entirely of works by composition students. OCU dance shows, OCU art exhibits, and community theatre companies also provide
venues for new students works. Orchestral readings and recordings of student
works are held several times each semester. Other ensembles, including the University choirs,
Percussion Ensemble, and Wind Philharmonic have also read and performed Project
21 works. Back to top
12. Who teaches composition at OCU?
Dr. Edward Knight (b. 1961, Ann Arbor, Michigan) is Oklahoma City University's
resident composer, and was the 2002 Musician of the Year for the state of Oklahoma.
He teaches private composition and is coordinator of the weekly composer's
forum.
A recent addition to the program is Dr. Kris Maloy (b. 1976, Cache, OK.) Dr. Maloy is the
applied instructor for saxophone and teaches class composition and lessons. Back to top
13. Can I contact current composition majors?
Yes! Current composition majors can all be contacted through the "Bios"
page .Back to top
14. Can I directly contact composition faculty?
Yes. You may contact Dr. Edward Knight at any time during the school year
at his office number (405)208-5274 or by email at: eknight@okcu.edu.
He will be able to answer any questions you have regarding the composition
program and direct you to any other contacts in other areas as needed. Back to top
15. Does OCU offer composition Scholarships?
OCU does offer music talent awards to composition majors based on audition
and interview results. Vocal and instrumental scholarships are also common. Back to top
16. Are audio recordings made and kept of new compositions?
All concerts and performances at OCU are recorded and archived throughout
the year. This includes composition concerts and recordings of the orchestral readings. Back to top
17. How often can we perform new works at OCU?
In all actuality, there is no specific limit to the number of performances
of new works at OCU. However, the performances are all dependant on the performers,
the space, and time of performance. With the multitudes of performance opportunities
and venues, new works can be performed as many times as possible if the composer
wishes as long as these factors all align. Back to top
18. Can I get archived recordings of OCU composition performances?
You may acquire recordings of current and past OCU composition performances
through Jan Kinsey, OCU's School of Music Facilities Manager. You can contact
her at (405) 521-5825. Back to top
19. What are the credentials of the OCU composition faculty?
Dr. Edward Knight is head of the composition department. In the past nine
years, he has had dozens of works premiered, including music for
orchestra, symphonic band, percussion ensemble, chorus, cabaret, and musical
theater. The New York Philharmonic, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and the
Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute, in venues ranging from the Hollywood Bowl
to Carnegie Hall, have performed his compositions. Knight is a frequent fellow
at Yaddo and McDowell artists colonies.
“Where the Sunsets Bleed: Chamber Music of Edward Knight” was released
by Albany Records in May 2005. Illusions, for piano, was selected by
SCI to be recorded by Capstone Records in 2005. ERMMedia chose Big
Shoulders to be recorded by the Kiev Philharmonic on its critically
acclaimed series “Masterworks of the New Era,” to be released in
September 2005. "Cradle of Dreams" was recorded by the Kiev
Philharmonic and the Chamber Choir Kyiv and released by ERMMedia in
November 2006.
He toured Europe as a jazz trumpeter, studied
privately with John Corigliano, and was the first American to win the Sir
Arthur Bliss Memorial Award for outstanding postgraduate composer at the London's
Royal College of Music. He is a past winner of ASCAP's Rudolf Nissim Award
for the year's top new orchestral work. For the past two summers, he has been
awarded fellowships to the Yaddo and MacDowell Artists Colonies. Back to top
20. Can I write music for other mediums and genre other than
music?
Absolutely. OCU composition majors are not limited to writing music for concert
performances. They are encouraged to write for any medium that they are capable
of writing for, such as film, television, ballet, dance, electronic/computer,
theater, and many other genres. Back to top
21. How many students from abroad study composition at OCU?Since 1997, students have come from five continents to study
composition at OCU. Our university gladly welcomes many students from
abroad to furthur their education.
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