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Music Composition Certificate Program


interlochen online music composition certificate

Develop a portfolio of works demonstrating your abilities in melody writing, contour, range, rhythm, counterpoint, and musical form. Across three courses, you'll learn how to effectively use instrumentation, orchestration, and transitions to create distinct sound worlds and convey specific emotional states in your compositions.

Taught by a world-class musician, composer, and educator, the Music Composition certificate program offers a unique opportunity to deepen your craft, earn a valuable credential, and receive college credit, high school credit, or both. This program is designed for both adults and teens and consists of three four-week courses that must be taken in sequential order.

Music Composition 1

✔Analyze musical examples, identifying the four essential elements of contour, range, length, and arrival points
✔Incorporate motives/cells, riffs, and other melodic devices in your compositions
✔Write a melody using a defined contour, scale, arrival point, and time signature
✔Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your melodies and identify improvements to enhance their musical expression and coherence

Music Composition 2

✔Apply advanced motivic development techniques to create varied and engaging melodic material
✔Write effective counterpoint, balancing consonance and dissonance across multiple voices
✔Construct and analyze energy maps for compositions, managing overall structure and flow
✔Utilize complex rhythmic devices to support and enhance compositional goals

Music Composition 3

✔Analyze how composers use timbre, instrumentation, and orchestration to create distinct sound worlds in various musical contexts
✔Write mood-based musical passages, selecting appropriate instruments, ranges, character indications, and dynamics to effectively convey specific emotional states or atmospheres
✔Craft different types of musical transitions and apply them to connect contrasting sections within a composition
✔Compose a complete musical work of approximately 60 measures

Tuition

$ 1197   $999

Ages

Teens: Grades 6-12

Adult Learners: Ages 18+

 

For all students:

✔ A respected credential from Interlochen Online
✔ Physical and shareable digital certificate
✔ A portfolio of completed, polished projects
✔ A strengthened résumé, college application, or LinkedIn profile

For middle school and high school students:

✔ An official Interlochen transcript awarding 0.5 high school credit
✔ Accreditation by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
✔ Credit that may transfer to hundreds of high schools nationwide

For adults and high school students:

✔ An official college transcript awarding 3 college credits
✔ Accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
✔ Credit that may transfer to hundreds of college and universities nationwide

Eligible high school students may earn both high school and college credit through the same certificate program.

Yes, Interlochen Online certificate programs are accredited for both high school and college credit.

High school credit is available to teens and accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).

College credit is available to adults and current high school students and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Accreditation from Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) are widely recognized and accepted by thousands of institutions across the country. However, we encourage students and families to consult with their school counselor or registrar in advance to determine how the credit may be applied toward graduation requirements.

No, course sections are designed for their respective age groups, either for adults (students 18 and older) or young people (students under 18).

Yes, there are eight sessions of courses per year. View the academic calendar for more session dates.

Jamie Leigh Sampson headshot

Meet the Faculty

Jamie Leigh Sampson

Instructor of Music

Questions? Speak with an Advisor.

Email: online@interlochen.org 

Phone: 231.276.5990 

You can also schedule an appointment.

Start Learning Music Theory

Get access to Understanding Intervals in Music Theory, an exclusive guide developed by Interlochen Online faculty.

Music theory student