A classical music composer is a performing arts professional who writes classical music. They produce written scores to be performed by orchestras and choirs, as well as by soloists. What is a classical music composer’s focus? A classical music composer typically produces scores for symphonies, concertos, sonatas and operas.

If you have a passion for music and a desire to study it after high school, consider applying for enrollment at GCU. GCU offers numerous music degree programs, including programs for instrumental performance and music education. Here, you can study the great artists of the past while you work on refining your own performance technique.

To be a classical music composer means that you create original music and document how to play it by writing scores. The score informs the musicians of how to play the piece of music that you created.

Some composers write pieces intended to be performed by full orchestras. Other pieces of classical music are meant for soloists to perform, such as sole violinists or cellists. When writing music, composers consider not only which notes to use but also how the rhythm will sound and how the structure of the piece may build emotion in the audience.

A music composer writes and arranges music. They may write music that is intended to accompany a film or other recorded production, or they may write music that is intended to be performed before a live audience, such as an opera, symphony or musical production.

In short, composers can write a variety of musical scores — from full-length symphonies to solo piano pieces. The specific tasks that classical music composers perform can include the following:

• Consulting with clients, if the piece of music was commissioned, to determine the mood, length and goal of the piece
• Writing original music, including its structures, themes and harmonies
• Deciding which instruments will play certain parts of the music to create depth and auditory interest
• Producing scores by using professional notation software
• Working on building their careers through networking, applying to grant opportunities and entering their music into competitions

How does a composer work with an orchestra? A composer may work closely with an orchestra while the piece is being prepared for a live performance or recording. They may collaborate with the orchestra by attending rehearsals and providing feedback and clarification to the conductor and the musicians.

Classical composers are the creators of classical music. They are responsible for conceptualizing a piece of music and defining how it is to be played by different instruments. Composers determine the theme, mood and structure of the piece, as well as each individual note and the rhythm.

According to the Chicago Violin Competition, classical music composers and the music they produce are important for aesthetic, emotional and cultural reasons, and, in the case of music by deceased composers, for the historical significance.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Consider the following reasons why classical music is important:^{(See disclaimer 1)}

• Historical significance: Classical music is a glimpse into the past, enabling individuals to understand the music that was created during varying historical eras.
• Emotional connection: Classical music can connect the listeners to a wide range of emotions, providing a cathartic release.
• Transcending cultures: The language of music is universal, connecting people across cultures.
• Cognition: Listening to classical music may offer some cognitive benefits, including better concentration and reduced stress.

There are many famous classical music composers, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who lived from 1756 to 1791.^{(See disclaimer 2)} Mozart created many operas, symphonies and concertos, and is among the most well-known composers, according to Britannica. Some of his works include “The Marriage of Figaro and Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K 581.”^{(See disclaimer 2)}

Another famous composer is Johann Sebastian Bach, who lived from 1685 to 1750, during the Baroque period. While renowned today and often recognized as among the greatest of all classical music composers, Bach was not well-received by his contemporaries, who thought his work too old-fashioned. Today, Bach is known for the “Brandenburg Concertos” and “Suites for Unaccompanied Cello, BMV 1007-1012.”^{(See disclaimer 2)}

A third well-known musical composer is Ludwig van Beethoven, who lived from 1770 to 1827. Beethoven’s music provided a bridge between the Classical and Romantic periods in classical music. Beethoven’s nine symphonies retained the structural integrity of the Classical period, while leaning toward the greater emotional expression of the Romantic period.^{(See disclaimer 2)} Two of his most famous pieces include “Moonlight Sonata” and “Für Elise.”^{(See disclaimer 2)}

The history of classical music is divided into five eras, as follows:^{(See disclaimer 2)}

• Medieval and Renaissance (1150 to 1600)
• Baroque period (1600 to 1750)
• Classical period (1750 to 1820)
• Romantic period (1800 to 1910)
• Modern and Contemporary (1900 to present)

Medieval and Renaissance Period

When studying classical music, you may see it referenced as Western classical or Western art music. Some of the oldest known Western music to be notated is the Gregorian chant style, which emerged during the Medieval and Renaissance period. During this period, composers began to use polyphony, which wove together multiple melodic lines to add depth and texture to music.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

Baroque Period

During the Baroque period, composers emphasized precision and emotional intensity. They developed the major and minor key systems, which provided a musical foundation for later classical music. Major composers of this era include Bach, George Frideric Handel and Antonio Vivaldi.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

Classical Period

During the Classical period, composers introduced what is now considered the standard four-movement symphony. Their work tends to feature the piano as a starring instrument. Composers in this period, which include Mozart, emphasized emotional depth.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

Romantic Period

The emotional depth emphasized during the Classical period was intensified during the Romantic period that followed, with works that embraced personal expression, storytelling and complex harmonies that often depicted narratives, scenes or emotions.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

Classical period composers include Frédéric Chopin, Johannes Brahms and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. During this period, noted composer and virtuoso performer Niccolò Paganini became famous for his instrumental technique.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

Modern and Contemporary Period

During the modern and contemporary period, classical music composers have pushed the boundaries of what it means to write and perform classical music. They have expanded the traditional ideas of melody, harmony and form, introducing new techniques and even experimenting with electronic music. The classical music style of this period continues to evolve. Noted composers include John Cage, Arnold Schoenberg and Igor Stravinsky.^{(See disclaimer 2 )}

To become adept at recognizing the works of different classical composers, you may need to spend a great deal of time listening to their music. Become familiar with the chord progressions a particular composer enjoys, for example, or consider how they typically change the harmony throughout the piece. After a while, you may find yourself being better able to recognize that a particular piece was composed by a certain composer.

You can study many different types of music, from classical to jazz to contemporary, while practicing your performance technique at GCU. Performing arts students at GCU may participate in multiple performances to gain immersive experience. Choose from a range of music degree programs, including the Bachelor of Arts in Music with an Emphasis in Instrumental Performance degree and the Bachelor of Arts in Music Education-Instrumental: Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, or Strings program.

Depending on the program you choose, you may need to complete a music theory assessment and/or an audition as part of your application.