A Composition for Disaster >~<

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Excuse the title, but, um, I'm currently a senior at one of the best high schools in the nation, I have the standard CC stats, extra-curriculars, and all that. </p>

<p>The thing is....</p>

<p>I recently decided that music composition is my calling. </p>

<p>Every time I think about it, my eyes burn and water--It's the only thing I see myself doing.</p>

<p>That being said, I have absolutely zero composition experience aside from a few songs I'm currently working on. I mean, I've played piano for a few years, I know fundamental theory, but that's it. Nothing comparing to some of the people on this site.</p>

<p>How in (*&^ name am I suppose to get into a good music composition program?! </p>

<p>I'm also applying to QuestBridge.</p>

<hr>

<p>I imagine the best route for me (considering the circumstances) would be to dual major in music composition and business at an exceptional liberal arts college.</p>

<p>What do you think?</p>

2

<p>If you apply to a BA program at a college or university, you won’t have to “get in” to a composition program, at least for the most part. You won’t have to audition or submit a portfolio for most schools, although you could submit an arts supplement with a CD of a song you have written, if you think it is good enough to add to your application.</p>

<p>You also do not have to decide on a major as yet. You can go to a school, explore courses and subjects and decide after a year or two (depending on the school). You can also change majors during college.</p>

<p>Many schools with good music departments may not have an undergrad business degree, though some will.</p>

<p>At a college, you will find a music major usually does general, academic music, which includes music history, theory, composition, ethnomusicology and technology. Some will have a separate strand for composition, others won’t.</p>

<p>It sounds like you are doing song-writing, which will be a little different from the contemporary “classical” composition going on in academic music departments. However, I know music departments where you can do that, and of course, you can also write music outside of school, and major in something else.</p>

<p>I would say that you could pick schools based on many other criteria, such as location, size, vibe and then double check their music department. If majoring in business is possible, make sure the schools you apply to have that in their offerings.</p>

<p>It’s great that you are loving writing music and I hope you continue!</p>

3

<p>That makes things a lot easier, thank you. (:</p>

<p>I’ve taken enough credits for an associates degree at a local community college, so I guess I know what a BA is like. To be honest, I’d rather have a much more musically intensive experience, but that’s understandably not viable for now.</p>

<p>My musical interests lie on contemporary piano. Many of the scores I listen, play, or work on are often confused for somewhat classical. Still, I also enjoy electronic influences and voice.</p>

<p>As far as the business side is concerned, I know that entrepreneurship is required in modern times. I have a few ideas that may revolutionize the music industry that I would love to try and implement.</p>

<p>I’m really just looking for a place that can harbor both entrepreneurship and contemporary musicianship.</p>

<p>Considering QuestBridge, my choices (assuming I get in) include:</p>

<p>Amherst College
Bowdoin College
Brown University
California Institute of Technology
Carleton College
Columbia University
Dartmouth College
Davidson College
Emory University
Grinnell College
Haverford College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Northwestern University
Oberlin College
Pomona College
Princeton University
Rice University
Scripps College
Stanford University
Swarthmore College
Trinity College
Tufts University
University of Chicago
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania
University of Southern California
University of Virginia
Vassar College
Washington and Lee University
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University
Williams College
Yale University</p>

<p>I know many of you are incredibly knowledgeable on these institutions. With that in mind, which do you think would be the best fit for me? (I can rank up to 8)</p>

4

<p>Some of the schools on the list have schools of music to which you must be admitted separately - Northwestern, Rice and USC. It is probably possible to take some courses in the school of music, if you’re majoring in one of their other colleges - you’d need to investigate. I know Northwestern and USC do offer a BA in music, in addition to a BM. Oberlin offers courses in music both through the college and through its conservatory - which is audition only.</p>

<p>Well regarded music departments from that particular list (in alphabetical order):</p>

<p>Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Northwestern University
Oberlin College
Princeton University
Rice University
Swarthmore College
Tufts University
University of Chicago
University of Southern California
Vassar College
Wesleyan University
Williams College
Yale University</p>

5

<p>Rather than discussing your interest in terms of “classical” or “contemporary”, I think the better approach to ask whether your interest tends towards concercert pieces or more towards song writing or pop music. Concert pieces can run from the baroque through the classical and romantic periods and onward through modern and post modern. This can include jazz, film and electronic music as well, and cover a very broad spectrum of instruments and electronics. Songwritng and pop music while they may be played at a concert are not considered in the composition world to be “concert pieces.” and thus as SpiritManager said are a different type of program from most composition programs. SpiritManager’s list is a very good one for composition not necessarily with a BM conservatory or SOM setting. Oberlin’s Musical Studies major within the college requires an audition for acceptance into the major as do some of the other programs listed. The BA with a major in music will be more broad based and thus there will not be the degree of specialization in composition as provided by a BM program, but at the schools listed and with much hard work on your part, a graduate degree in music composition could be the next stepping stone.</p>

6

<p>I neglected to include voice in my discussion of concert pieces. Voice of course is not limited to just opera. It can include such pieces the lieder of Schubert to the “Mirabai Songs” of John Harbison and Arvo Part scared music.</p>