Aspiring for Composition! Help?

College Majors Music Major
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<p>(Sorry, this came out kind of long... I'm trying to give you guys the most background info I can so I can get the best answers. Thanks so much for any advice!!)</p>

<p>I am a senior applying to the Berklee College of Music, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and a number of public universities for music. I have my applications mostly complete and my essays written, but I have come down to a dilemma concerning my major. I absolutely DREAM of majoring in composition, but I also have a strong voice. Given the choice, I would absolutely take a composition major over a performance major.</p>

<p>But of course, there arises the problem. I know I can sing an audition for a performance major. I feel that my vocal skills, through private lessons and whatnot, will allow me to at least be competitive in the applicant pool. However, for composition, there is the additional component of the composition portfolio.</p>

<p>I have been composing music since childhood, becoming rather serious about it in middle school. Yet, my high school is very small, and has offered very little supplemental education regarding composition. I have attempted to compose for choir, string quartet, and even full orchestra at one point--to varied success. I would never send these compositions to colleges, however, as many of them were very experimental, dating back to the days when my compositions were composed 100% by ear (credit going to Finale's note-by-note playback), with no theoretical knowledge. I hardly knew what the concept of "key signature" was when I began composing as a kid.</p>

<p>Over the years, though, I've learned much MUCH more theory, but I'm still no professional composer. I still compose largely by ear--in fact, the only reason I know theory as well as I do is by associating concepts with the sounds they make. (For example, when someone says "I-IV-V," I don't think of "C-F-G" right away. Instead, I think of the sound of an actual I-IV-V progression.) My pieces are coherent; they're musical, they flow, they sound pretty enough, and they vary rhythmically and harmonically in a stylistic manner. But I highly doubt my compositions adhere to the conventions and form that I will (and REALLY want to) learn in college. How big of a problem is that?</p>

<p>Basically, my question boils down to this: What are colleges looking for in aspiring comp major portfolios, and, based on what I've described above, is it worth my time to apply as a comp major? Will they take me seriously? Or should I just fall back on performance? I really would rather be a composition major, but my vocal skills have been vastly more formally-honed than my composition skills, regardless of my ability to compose by ear.</p>

<p>Yeah. I know. I'm really wordy when I type. I just want to make sure you guys have the whole story! :)</p>

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<p>I can only speak for Berklee, as my daughter just auditioned there for January start date. You have to audition on an instrument (or voice), even for composition majors. You would also bring your composition portfolio, hopefully showcasing your best work, which I assume is also your more recent work. I know for my daughter they had her send them an online link to some of the songs she wrote and performed, rather than take up more time in the audition slot. It sounds like you know enough to have a great conversation in an interview, but your instrument or voice will be the first ticket. You have time between now and your audition to enhance your portfolio and get add’l lessons or feedback. </p>

<p>Here’s the specific info from the Berklee website:
Q: Do all students have to study an instrument, even those interested in music production and engineering, music therapy, and music business/management?
Yes. Berklee’s approach is based on the philosophy that anyone interested in a successful career in the music industry, and wanting a competitive edge over others with only technical or business backgrounds, must gain training on an instrument and have a sound background in music theory. This is also why a core music curriculum is required in any major.</p>

<p>Q: What is the difference between my major and my principal instrument?
All Berklee students, regardless of the major they choose, are required to fulfill instrument proficiency requirements. Depending on your major, the number of semesters for which you are required to take private instruction on your principal instrument will vary from four semesters to eight. For example, music synthesis: the first four semesters will include private instruction, for perfomance the first eight semesters of private instruction are required.</p>

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<p>There is quite a difference between studying composition at Oberlin Conservatory vs Berklee. What made you choose those two? What kind of music do you want to study/write? It’s hard to tell from those two disparate choices. </p>

<p>There are many colleges which will accept composition majors who do not have a lot of previous formal training - as well as a number for which there will be stiff competition from students who have extensive resumes. And don’t ignore that you can always go the BA Music route and still study composition.</p>

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<p>I don’t know what public universities you’re planning to apply to, but I do know that while University of Michigan is very competitive for composition, they also state in their materials that they occasionally accept students with obvious talent but who might lack of in-depth formal experience. A benefit there would be strong vocal studios available as well. Here’s a link in case you’re interested: <a href=“http://www.music.umich.edu%5B/url%5D”>http://www.music.umich.edu</a></p>

<p>As far as what is worth your time – all of it is worth your time. After all, preparing material and going through the interviews is an education in itself, and one that’s ultimately valuable for you as the music community is small and composers must network extensively in order to work/eat :wink: So I say pick a wide list, even if they seem a reach, meet their submission reqs even if it means quickly getting an ensemble to play some of your work, and take advantage of the opportunity to evaluate different programs and network ;)</p>

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<p>@Spirit Manager: I really want to do film scoring and videogame music, stuff like that, which is what draws me to Berklee. However, composition in general is totally fine with me, and Oberlin has some other programs that I’m interested in (namely their Master in Music Teaching program for later on). I’d really rather go to Berklee, and I’d like to think I have a shot there at least, but I want to keep my options open you know?</p>

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<p>Undergrad composition programs are often looking for a student composer’s personal “voice”, or the potential for this, in applicants.</p>

<p>Do you have a composition teacher? Perhaps you could find one through your voice teacher. A teacher could be very helpful in the application process, and help you to evaluate your work and your choices.</p>

<p>Have your pieces been played? It can help an application a lot if musicians play your compositions, or at least one or two of them, and it can be worth the money to hire players.</p>

<p>Have you checked the curricula and courses at various schools, including Berklee and Oberlin? Have you checked faculty and listened to their music online? Doing this kind of research can also help a lot as you decide where you would like to go.</p>

<p>If you compose by ear, and “hear” your pieces before writing them, that might indicate some potential, I would think. </p>

<p>I hope you find the right place and that you find a way to study composition, if that is what you want to do. If you do end up auditioning as a vocalist, you can always add or change to composition, in some schools. And a college BA in music would allow you to do composition academically, and sing as an extracurricular, with lessons on the side. Lots of ways to go!</p>