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About
Our program—the first of its kind—lets you find your own creative voice, pursue your professional interests, build a body of work, and join a global community of musicians and composers.
Program Work
Our award-winning students and faculty push boundaries, break new ground and further cultural conversation with their work. Prepare to be inspired.
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Residency
Experience VCFA’s low-residency model VCFA’s academic calendar is divided into two semesters per year: a summer and winter semester respectively. Each semester begins with a nine-day residency that provides a vibrant whirlwind of workshops, lectures, panels, discussions, and readings. Students, faculty, and visiting writers come together to connect and collaborate.
Mentorship & Individualized Study
Post-residency, students return home to embark on the semester’s faculty-guided independent study project, putting in at least 25 hours a week. Students stay in close contact with their advisors, who review their work monthly and provide individualized feedback.
Virtual Information Sessions
Join us to learn more about our low residency MFA programs and the application process. Each session will cover: an overview of VCFA programs, low-residency model, the application process and more. Click here to learn more
My time at VCFA made it possible for me to focus on my compositional writing, create new material, and cultivate my voice as a songwriter.
VCFA Stories
Our students, alumnx and faculty inspire us every day with their exhibitions, publications, screenings, performances, and teaching, bringing the magic of VCFA out into the world. Discover the amazing work of our Music Comp community.
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ALUMNX STORY: JohnPaul Beattie (MC '18), A Super Bowl Victory
COMMUNITY NEWS: Vespa, A New Operatic Collaboration
FACULTY STORY: Rick Baitz
ALUMNX NEWS: Aruán Ortiz (MC ‘18) Receives 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship
VCFA Music Comp on YouTube
Visit the MFA in Music Composition YouTube channel to hear the full range of genres and approaches to new music students explore through our highly individualized program.
VCFA News
Announcements, campus updates, student achivements and more of what makes VCFA a dynamic, global of of artists.
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We're here to help!
Our Admissions team is ready to help you begin your journey! Connect with us at our [email protected] to get started or click the link below to get started.