<p>Happy Thanksgiving to all from a frustrated and somewhat worn out parent seeking guidance from <em>veteran parents</em> who know more than I do.</p>
<p>DS is interested in scoring for film/composition/contemporary music. There are only a handful of options for him to consider plus the colleges that are strong in composition require a classical audition which is not an option for my child. Are there any colleges that will either allow for a non-classical/non-jazz piano audition and/or an audition that would have any improvisation as part of it? Any recommendations/guidance greatly appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>Consider a BA option at a university or liberal arts college. He can still major in music with a composition emphasis, but there is usually no audition into the major. (Sometimes there is an evaluation before declaring a major.) No need to study film scoring per se at the undergrad level. You could always consider colleges strong in film first, rather than music. He could make connections (which, as we all know, in the film world matter more than anything else) and take film classes in addition to music.</p>
<p>USC Thornton School of Music Popular Music Performance program might be a fit and USC has one of or the best film schools in the country so your son could potentially write music for undergrad film students. I think they have the top film scoring school also, but it is grad level only. Might be too late to start in Fall 2010 as I think audition cd’s need to be in the mail by Dec 1. Good luck.</p>
<p>Just read an article on USC’s website about this (film scoring major). This program is for those that are ABSOLUTELY sure that is what they want to do. I like the suggestion by spirit as most 17 year olds think they know what they want to do but change their minds within months sometimes of hitting the campus. I would have your son watch the interview of the professor of that department which will give him a good overview about this field. Not to say he shouldn’t pursue it but it is definitely intense.</p>