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University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, MO

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BM Music Composition

Composition

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

•NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

•All-Steinway School

Training

•BM with Composition emphasis combining private composition study with core theory and applied performance work

•Compositions developed for and read/premiered by UMSL's resident ensembles

Performance & Productions

•Student works performed by the UMSL Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and chamber ensembles at the Touhill Performing Arts Center

•Strings written for the resident Arianna String Quartet faculty studios and student chamber groups

Facilities

•Newly renovated Creative Arts Building (opened October 2025, $10M project) with a music computer lab and expanded rehearsal spaces

Location

•Set in St. Louis, giving composers access to the city's professional performing musicians

School Info

Snapshot

3.29

Avg GPA (W)

63%

Admit Rate

school-wide

57%

Grad Rate

Enrollment

$53K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$14,112

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$35,112

Before aid

Average Net Price

$15,071

After aid

College Scorecard

Program info updated Jul 26, 8:30 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

•All-Steinway School

Training

•BM with Composition emphasis combining private composition study with core theory and applied performance work

•Compositions developed for and read/premiered by UMSL's resident ensembles

Performance & Productions

•Student works performed by the UMSL Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and chamber ensembles at the Touhill Performing Arts Center

•Strings written for the resident Arianna String Quartet faculty studios and student chamber groups

Facilities

•Newly renovated Creative Arts Building (opened October 2025, $10M project) with a music computer lab and expanded rehearsal spaces

Location

•Set in St. Louis, giving composers access to the city's professional performing musicians

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

•All-Steinway School

Training

•BM with Composition emphasis combining private composition study with core theory and applied performance work

•Compositions developed for and read/premiered by UMSL's resident ensembles

Performance & Productions

•Student works performed by the UMSL Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and chamber ensembles at the Touhill Performing Arts Center

•Strings written for the resident Arianna String Quartet faculty studios and student chamber groups

Facilities

•Newly renovated Creative Arts Building (opened October 2025, $10M project) with a music computer lab and expanded rehearsal spaces

Location

•Set in St. Louis, giving composers access to the city's professional performing musicians

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Deadline

Music Scholarship Priority: University ApplicationDec 1, 2026

Regular DecisionRolling

Index · umsl.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the audition.

Apply

School Website

Auditions

Audition Day

Nov 21, 2026Feb 5 & 26, 2027Apr 17, 2027

Index · umsl.edu

Audition Requirements

Portfolio/Creative Sample

•Submit a composition portfolio of scores for 3-4 original works with varying instrumentation (e.g., solo piano, string quartet, saxophone and piano, jazz ensemble)

•Include recordings of the works when possible (computer-generated MIDI recordings are acceptable)

•Transcript or degree audit showing a B average or better in music theory classes

•Letter of recommendation from a theory mentor

•Personal statement describing your prior music theory study

Composition · umsl.eduVerified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•A separate composition application is required in addition to your performance audition

•Submit your portfolio and theory documentation to Dr. Zachary Cairns

•Schedule your audition via the UMSL Music audition registration page

Enrollment

•Requires a separate, free university application via Common App or the UMSL website

Placement

•Admitted students take a music theory and aural-skills placement exam at orientation — for course placement only, not admission

Transfer Pathway

Transfer students pursuing BM Music Composition can use UMSL's published music articulation pathway, which maps community-college music coursework into a selected UMSL music track. UMSL advisors evaluate how prior coursework applies to this specific degree plan.

Musicfull.Pdf · umsl.edu

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

•A successful audition on your principal instrument or voice is required, the same as all UMSL music degrees

•In-person audition on a scheduled audition day; contact Prof. Corinne Stillwell (cstillwell@umsl.edu) for an alternative time if needed

Decisions

•Both the portfolio review and the performance audition are evaluated for admission; the audition is also used for scholarship consideration

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

•Named scholarships available through the UMSL AcademicWorks portal

•St. Louis Symphony "IN UNISON" Scholarships available (paper application, contact department for details)

Scholarship Priority

•Submit university application by December 1

•Submit a recommendation from a current or recent music instructor before audition date

•Complete audition by March 1

School Info

Snapshot

3.29

Avg GPA (W)

63%

Admit Rate

school-wide

57%

Grad Rate

Enrollment

$53K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$14,112

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$35,112

Before aid

Average Net Price

$15,071

After aid

College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

•All-Steinway School

Training

•BM with Composition emphasis combining private composition study with core theory and applied performance work

•Compositions developed for and read/premiered by UMSL's resident ensembles

Performance & Productions

•Student works performed by the UMSL Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and chamber ensembles at the Touhill Performing Arts Center

•Strings written for the resident Arianna String Quartet faculty studios and student chamber groups

Facilities

•Newly renovated Creative Arts Building (opened October 2025, $10M project) with a music computer lab and expanded rehearsal spaces

Location

•Set in St. Louis, giving composers access to the city's professional performing musicians

Updated Jul 26, 8:30 PM

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