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Stephen F. Austin State University

Nacogdoches, TX

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

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BM Composition

Composition

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Training

•Develop and hone compositional skills across a variety of genres and styles

•Cutting-edge software and hardware, with a thorough grounding in industry music-creation software

•Composition faculty hold international reputations

Notable Alumni

•Mason Lieberman: composer for anime and video game franchises including Rooster Teeth's "RWBY," with work spanning film and gaming

Collaboration

•Score feature-length films, provide music for theatre productions, and score video games

•Frequent interdisciplinary collaboration with other students, designers, and artists

•Diverse student body provides opportunities to have your music performed

Facilities

•Wright Music Building

•NASM accredited

School Info

Snapshot

3.24

Avg GPA (W)

94%

Admit Rate

school-wide

53%

Grad Rate

8.7K

Enrollment

$50K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$12,938

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$25,774

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$30,576

Before aid

Average Net Price

$14,260

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated Jul 19, 7:26 PM

Program Highlights

Training

•Develop and hone compositional skills across a variety of genres and styles

•Cutting-edge software and hardware, with a thorough grounding in industry music-creation software

•Composition faculty hold international reputations

Notable Alumni

•Mason Lieberman: composer for anime and video game franchises including Rooster Teeth's "RWBY," with work spanning film and gaming

Collaboration

•Score feature-length films, provide music for theatre productions, and score video games

•Frequent interdisciplinary collaboration with other students, designers, and artists

•Diverse student body provides opportunities to have your music performed

Facilities

•Wright Music Building

•NASM accredited

Program Highlights

Training

•Develop and hone compositional skills across a variety of genres and styles

•Cutting-edge software and hardware, with a thorough grounding in industry music-creation software

•Composition faculty hold international reputations

Notable Alumni

•Mason Lieberman: composer for anime and video game franchises including Rooster Teeth's "RWBY," with work spanning film and gaming

Collaboration

•Score feature-length films, provide music for theatre productions, and score video games

•Frequent interdisciplinary collaboration with other students, designers, and artists

•Diverse student body provides opportunities to have your music performed

Facilities

•Wright Music Building

•NASM accredited

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

ApplyTexas Common App

Fee

$25

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Official Source

Scholarship Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Optional audition for scholarship consideration only; it is not required for program admission.

Statement

•Explain your background as a musician, why you wish to be a composition major, your career goals, and why SFA is a good fit

•No more than 500 words

Portfolio

•Three samples of composition work as PDF scores and MP3 recordings

•Portfolio examples may use any style or performing forces; show creativity, variety, and musical skill

•Portfolio examples: choose composition examples that are as different from one another as possible

•Portfolio supporting documents may include awards, recent papers, or articles that reflect well on you

Letters of Recommendation

•Two letters of recommendation from individuals who know you well and can comment on your probable success in the field; teachers or employers are preferred

Transcript

•Scanned copies acceptable; official transcripts required separately by the university

Scores / GPA

•Major test scores (SAT or ACT)

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Portal

•Submit the audition application, portfolio, and interview scheduling through Acceptd

•Undergraduate applicants also apply separately through Common App or ApplyTexas

•Application materials must be complete before any interview or audition

Placement

•Admitted students take music theory and aural-skills placement diagnostics for course placement only, not admission

Contact

•School of Music: 936.468.4602

•Schoolofmusic@sfasu.edu

What's The Process

Admission Process

•Two-part process: apply to the School of Music via Acceptd and apply to SFA separately

•Admission is based on a portfolio review of original compositions and a faculty interview

Portfolio Review

•Submit three contrasting original works as PDF scores and MP3 recordings

Faculty Interview

•Schedule an in-person or electronic interview with the composition faculty as part of the application

Performance Video

•Because composition majors also take applied lessons and perform in ensembles, submit a video performance audition on your performance area (voice or instrument)

•Admission to composition is not affected by the performance audition

•An in-person performance audition is only needed if you wish to be considered for band, orchestra, or choir scholarships (prepare the Music Education repertoire for your area)

Contact

•Composition area: Dr. Stephen Lias

•School of Music: 936.468.4602

•Schoolofmusic@sfasu.edu

Scholarship Info

Talent Scholarships

•Music scholarships available based on audition

•Awards from the School of Music

School Info

Snapshot

3.24

Avg GPA (W)

94%

Admit Rate

school-wide

53%

Grad Rate

8.7K

Enrollment

$50K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$12,938

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$25,774

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$30,576

Before aid

Average Net Price

$14,260

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Training

•Develop and hone compositional skills across a variety of genres and styles

•Cutting-edge software and hardware, with a thorough grounding in industry music-creation software

•Composition faculty hold international reputations

Notable Alumni

•Mason Lieberman: composer for anime and video game franchises including Rooster Teeth's "RWBY," with work spanning film and gaming

Collaboration

•Score feature-length films, provide music for theatre productions, and score video games

•Frequent interdisciplinary collaboration with other students, designers, and artists

•Diverse student body provides opportunities to have your music performed

Facilities

•Wright Music Building

•NASM accredited

Updated Jul 19, 7:26 PM