MFA in Music Composition

Ideal for students with a background in music and demonstrated compositional skill. Graduates emerge from this flexible MFA program with an established composition practice, a portfolio of your music recorded by professional musicians and ensembles, and a degree that furthers their compositional goals.

Application Info
Upcoming Application Deadline:

Winter 2025 Semester – October 1, 2024 (final deadline Nov. 1)
 
Summer 2025 Semester – April 1 (final deadline May 1)

Applications for Winter 2025 are now open! APPLY NOW.

Residency Dates & Locations

  • Winter: January 3 – 11, 2025
    Valencia, California

  • Summer: June 24 – July 2, 2025
    Valencia, California

Each semester begins with a nine-day residency packed with events to encourage students, faculty and visiting world-class musicians to collaborate and learn from each other. Students are paired with faculty advisors to develop a customized study plan to direct and inspire their MFA in Music Composition.

Connect with Admissions!

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INFORMATION SESSIONS

Join us to learn more about our low residency MFA programs and the application process. In this session we will discuss:

  • Overview of VCFA programs
  • What does low residency look like at VCFA?
  • What is expected in a typical semester?
  • What is residency?
  • Learn more about our faculty mentorship model
  • First steps for preparing your application
  • Financing your MFA overview
  • Q&A

Visit the event page to learn more and RSVP.

Questions? Please email [email protected].

MFA in Music Composition at VCFA

This two-year program allows students to experiment in jazz, songwriting, electronic music, contemporary composition, scoring, and more while connecting with leading music professionals. Students forge connections with leading professionals and emerge with a degree that furthers their compositional goals.

Low-Residency Explained

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Semester Work

Carla Kihlstedt
Co-Chair, Core Faculty, MFA in Music Composition
Frank J. Oteri
Residency Faculty
Lisa Mezzacappa
Core Faculty, MFA in Music Composition
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Program Faculty
The MFA in Music Composition faculty represents a broad spectrum of the field of music composition. All faculty are dedicated, gifted educators and active musicians who work across multiple genres as composers, performers, and producers.
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Ensembles-in-Residence

Each residency features a new group of distinguished visiting faculty and artists–learn more about them here.

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Thalea String Quartet
Visiting Ensemble - Summer 2022
Anna’s Ghost
Visiting Ensemble - Winter 2022
Talujon Percussion Trio
Visiting Ensemble - Winter 2022
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John Paul Labno, 2022 MFA in Music Composition
Current Music Composition student John Paul Labno has been involved with music one way or another ever since childhood. Today, John Paul...
Kei Slaughter, 2013 MFA in Music Composition
“Art is change. Art is a catalyst for organizing and moving people to action. Art has the power to reflect / reimagine / articulate ...
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Alumnx Stories
Our students and alumnx inspire us every day with their exhibitions, publications, screenings, performances, and teaching, bringing the magic of VCFA out into the world.
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Notable Alumnx Profiles
Kei Slaughter, ‘13
A vocalist, flutist, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and music therapist, Slaughter is the creator of projects such as S O U L F O L K Sounds and the ever-expanding Pencil Fairy—two projects rooted in creativity and community.

"...it’s a community music and wellness practice that focuses on elevating, nourishing, and sustaining Black Queer and Trans Communities in the US and beyond."
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John Pachence, ‘22
Nominated for a 2023 Music Educator Grammy, presented by the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum.
Jessica Muñiz-Collado, ‘14
Muñiz-Collado has had major musical publications, has been chosen to judge and speak at multiple industry events, and has even started her own music consulting business.

"...My piece “Arise & Go,” a piece commemorating the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, was published by MalletLab publications, and it premiered at the renowned MalletLab summer intensive. It was also recognized by Pearl/Adams percussion company as the first piece written for their newest electronic mallet product, the Pearl malletSTATION."
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“Beyond encouraging breadth within the program, VCFA encourages people to explore their own full richness.”

– Garrett Steele | 2016 MFA in Music Composition

MFA in Music Composition FAQs

Student-directed learning gives students greater control and ownership over their education. At VCFA, we don’t dictate the content or direction of students’ work. The faculty advisor’s role is to guide and support an individual course of study that considers the student’s previous experience, current goals, and specific needs as a composer.

Learn more about our low-residency model.
Students may select one area of focus or engage in cross-genre composition. We encourage exploration and the development of an individualized course of study that is specific to your needs as a composer. Students are not required to declare a specific musical track.

Schedule a meeting with admissions counselor Annie Sklar to learn more about the process.
Each residency, our ensembles-in-residence rehearse, perform, and record student compositions written during the previous semester. Ensembles feature professional musicians who are unrivaled performers and generous collaborators. Students are required to write for one of the ensembles-in-residence at least two different semesters, but most choose to do so every semester. It’s an exceptional opportunity to receive high-level performances and recordings of your own compositions and create vital working relationships with some of the best musicians in the field.

In addition, each residency also features multiple opportunities for students to showcase their work: a Film Music Festival with screenings of music written for various media (film, documentary, television, commercials, video games, etc.); an Electronic Music Showcase for live electronic sound and multimedia; a Songwriting Showcase with performances by students, faculty, and staff; a Choral Workshop for student composers and singers; and a Composer/Performer Showcase. Watch performances of student work on our YouTube channel!
The first step is to contact Annie Sklar, Associate Director of Admissions. In addition to talking with you about your specific interests and goals and answering your questions about the program, Annie can put you in touch with students, faculty, or alums and help you plan a visit. She would love to hear from you!