The Juilliard Extension Certificate in Music Composition (CMC) is a comprehensive program tailored for individuals seeking specialized training in music composition. The CMC encompasses a range of courses that closely match the content and delivery of Juilliard’s undergraduate courses in the College Division. This demanding program requires significant preparation outside of class and provides extensive hands-on experience, along with personalized guidance from faculty.
Students embark on their journey with foundational courses like Composition, where they tackle various compositional challenges and receive live feedback from performers. This foundation is built upon in Advanced Composition, which exposes students to diverse compositional methods and aesthetics through direct interaction with multiple faculty members and performers.
The program also delves into detailed aspects of orchestration, starting with basic orchestration skills, where students learn to write for each orchestral instrument. It progresses to Advanced Orchestration, focusing on scoring for larger ensembles and nuanced orchestral textures.
Courses that are supplementary to core composition skills include Keyboard Skills I, which enhances students’ musicianship at the keyboard, and elective courses such as Orchestral Conducting, which refines score-reading and conducting skills. The Scoring to Picture course introduces students to the essentials of film music composition, expanding their compositional expertise to visual media.
This certificate program is designed for students seeking specialized training in music composition. The Extension Division Certificate in Music Composition matches Juilliard College Division undergraduate courses in content and rigor and requires significant preparation outside of class. Students who complete the program will have the necessary skills, mentoring, and knowledge to compose music for a variety of genres.
Requirements
The Certificate in Composition requires a minimum of 20 credits as follows:
- EVCRT 313 / EVCRT 314 - Composition (4 credits; 2 semesters)
- EVCRT 413 / EVCRT 414 - Advanced Composition (4 credits; 2 semesters)
- EVCRT 113 / EVCRT 114 - Orchestration (4 credits; 2 semesters)
- EVCRT 213 / EVCRT 214 - Advanced Orchestration (4 credits; 2 semesters)
- EVCRT 141 OR EVCRT 142 - Keyboard Skills I (2 credits; 1 semester)
OR
- EVCRT 243 - Piano I (1 credit; 1 semester) AND
- EVCRT 244 - Piano II (1 credit; 1 semester)
Electives
In addition, students must choose one elective from the following:
- EVCRT 471 - Score Reading for Conductors and Composers (2 credits; 1 semester)
- EVCRT 461 OR EVCRT 462 - Orchestral Conducting (2 credits; 1 semester)
- EVCRT 517 - Scoring to Picture (2 credits; 1 semester)
Prerequisites
If students entering the program are not at the requisite level to enroll in the above credit-bearing courses, they must first take noncredit prerequisite courses from the following list to achieve eligibility:
- EVDIV 151 - Elements of Composition
- EVDIV 040 - Elements of Keyboard Skills
- EVDIV 011 - Elements of Music Theory and Analysis
- EVDIV 052 - Introduction to Ear Training
- EVDIV 041 - Introduction to Keyboard Skills
Supplemental Courses
If students test out of any of the required classes, they must choose credit-bearing courses from the following areas to reach the minimum of 20 credits to obtain the certificate:
- Composition
- Conducting
- Ear Training & Musicianship
- Keyboard Studies
- Music Theory & Analysis
Courses
If students test out of any of the required classes, they must choose credit-bearing courses from the following areas to reach the minimum of 20 credits to obtain the certificate:
- Composition
- Conducting
- Ear Training & Musicianship
- Keyboard Studies
- Music Theory & Analysis