For an emerging composer, gathering performers to bring your music to life in both a concert and recording session can be a daunting challenge. Knowing the right people is one thing, but finding musicians willing to invest their time and talent to execute your composition perfectly is another. Yet, Yeonsuk Jung achieved this feat as a student, assembling 36 musicians to perform his harp concerto — a testament to the collaborative spirit fostered at Bowling Green State University (BGSU).
“Seeing my music realised has been invaluable in those moments that the most profound learning occurs,” Jung says. “There are lessons you can only grasp when your work is brought to life by people who genuinely believe in and support your vision. Everyone here cares deeply about your success and encourages you to create great art.”
Indeed, connections are naturally formed and nurtured at the College of Musical Arts, where nearly 500 students and 60 full-time faculty support one another’s growth as professional musicians. The effectiveness of this collaborative environment is reflected in the impressive 100% job placement rate for music education graduates after they complete their degrees.
BGSU owes its success to its emphasis on personalised, individualised education. Despite the university’s expansive size — spanning two campuses with 1,132 acres and 107 buildings, it ensures a meaningful and fulfilling college experience through its 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Classes are taught by expert professors who will help you hone your talents and unlock your full potential as a musician. “I currently study with Dr. Elainie Lillios and Dr. Piyawat Louilarpprasert, and their guidance has been pivotal in my journey as a composer, researcher, and creative artist,” Jung explains.
“Their detailed feedback has helped me sharpen my artistic vision and reflect deeply on my compositional research. Their care and expertise have guided me toward a mature, comprehensive approach to composition.”
The Master of Music degree programme covers ten fields for students to choose from. Source: Bowling Green State University
The College of Musical Arts offers a Master of Music (MM) in various specialisations — each uniquely designed to help you perfect your craft and evolve the current American music scene. One of them is the MM in Composition — Jung’s major. This programme equips you with the technical skills to bring your compositions to life, while refining your strengths and addressing areas for growth as a composer. The programme also features frequent visits from distinguished guest artists, such as renowned Brazilian composer Marcos Balter and the Hub New Music ensemble, who offer lectures and private lessons to enrich the learning experience.
Another pathway is the MM in Piano, which offers three distinct tracks: MM in Performance-Piano Performance, MM in Piano Pedagogy, and MM in Collaborative Piano. Each track provides a comprehensive curriculum designed to help you reach your musical goals — whether as a soloist, chamber musician, or collaborative pianist. For those pursuing piano pedagogy, the programme also emphasises the development of effective teaching skills.
“The programme offers numerous ways for performers to refine their craft, including recital opportunities, seminar performances, and studio classes,” student Malik Halce says. “These rich experiences were a major factor in my decision to join the programme, as I believe they provide the ideal environment for students to grow and thrive in their studies, both artistically and professionally.”
The MM in Piano is practical in every sense of the word. It sees you performing in front of crowds to show off your talents and gain exposure before you take on the world’s biggest stages. Resources available at the college, from art facilities to concert venues, as well as access to an extensive music library, take application up a notch. The programme even hosts competitions and over 500 concerts, recitals, and public events each year to further encourage students to celebrate each other’s successes and learn from one another.
“I won the BGSU Concerto Competition, performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, and became a prizewinner in the Conrad Art Song Competition,” shares student Nano Beraia. “The wealth of opportunities at BGSU made success achievable, and I felt that hard work was consistently valued and appreciated.”
Besides the two mentioned, there are several other MM degree programmes you can pursue here, spanning conducting, ethnomusicology, jazz studies, music education, music history, and vocal pedagogy.
Learn more about joining BGSU’s tight-knit musical community.
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