Hello! I am a rising senior applying to some music schools, Blair being one of them. My desired major is composition, as I love writing music, but I had a couple of questions:
What is the audition like for a composition major? The website is VERY broad about it?
Should I prepare for the music theory test? Do composition majors have to take the theory test?
Should I make new songs in preparation?
Is there anything else I should know about the application process in general?
Does anyone know the acceptance rate for Blair school in particular?
The audition for a composition major is an interview, during which you usually discuss specific pieces you have submitted, choices you made, what your goals are etc.
Yes you would take the theory test, but they state explicitly that a bad result will not necessarily affect admissions. Still, they suggest various ways to prepare. Often these are for placement purposes or to identify those who need remedial work. For instance, if they love a person’s music but the person hasn’t done a lot of solfege or dictation, then they would make sure to start that person at a lower level- but admit them.
Everything you need to know is on the website though I question the list of things required of all applicants; music resume, repertoire list, two artistic recommendations and a prescreening video. I would guess that composition majors do the portfolio of 3 scores and 3 recordings and don’t do a video. Repertoire would be a list of your compositions.
Admissions offices are often very friendly and can answer questions if you want to make sure of something. (It looks like composers don’t have to audition on an instrument, but make sure).
Your question #3 is not clear to me. Do you have compositions already? What genre? Classical, jazz, popular…? The program at Blair is a traditional (classical) one but also seems more inclusive of other genres. If you have 3 classical pieces or a couple of classical and one jazz, just for instance, and you are happy with the recordings, you are all set. If you are not happy with what you have or all your pieces are, say, popular or folk, you might want to write something else.
Make sure a couple of your pieces are played by live performers. It’s okay for one to be MIDI. (Ask admissions about this too…it may have changed.)
As you know, you apply to Vanderbilt and to Blair. There are two opportunities, so wondering if you are going to do the early deadline of 11/1.
Quick follow up: 1) idk how to get 2 art Recs because my school doesn’t have music classes, and 2) can I be the live performer playing my own composition? Or should I get my friend to do it?
Are you not studying privately with anyone, nor in any ensembles? Are you applying for classical composition? You mention songs… And are you only submitting music written for a solo instrument and voice? Are you sure that Blair has the kind of program you’re looking for? Do you have a good sense of what it means to study music composition at a school like Blair - as opposed to ones like Berklee or Belmont which are more interested in commercial music or jazz?
Does your school have extracurricular music? Do you study with anyone or perform at all in the community? Church? Peer musician even? So your school has no music at all?
You can perform your own piece, sure, or your friend, whoever will do the best job!
In terms of your competition, you might want to be prepared for the fact that people are submitting, say, 20 minute string quartets, or even orchestral pieces, and some of these pieces have been worked on for months. For a quality music composition program, you cannot really apply with songs written for the application, in a short period of time, unless you are a genius that is, and even geniuses have to craft their pieces
I am not writing this to discourage, only a dose of reality to prevent unnecessary stress. Your solo may show great potential, and raw talent is often what they are looking for. What are the other two pieces you are submitting, and is the solo for piano? It may be that they are great for the purpose, I have no idea, and this may be the beginning of something great for you. Just know that many applicants are more in the middle than the beginning, so to speak.
Again, Blair does include a variety of genres so it is possible to submit pieces that aren’t classical, most likely, so strongly urge a phone call to them on this You may be in good shape for this application, it is hard to tell from this thread. In any case, good luck!
