BM Composition Program Choices

I would appreciate feedback on programs for a BM in Composition as my S tries to decide. He is fortunate and grateful to have been accepted to great programs but is also a little confused and wants to make as informed a choice as possible (or at least we parents are confused!).

They are Eastman, Michigan, NEC, Oberlin, USC. There are obvious differences in terms of overall school size and location, and we are aware of those. I am most curious about the experience of a composition student as an undergraduate in these programs and the reputation of the composition programs.

How are the classes, 1:1 sessions, performance opportunities. At the schools with graduate students, to what extent is it a benefit or a detriment (competition) in the particular program.

I should add that he is interested in exploring his interests outside of music and would be pursuing a dual degree but would also consider reducing that to a double major or minor if it were too challenging. (He has been admitted to dual degree programs). We recognize that NEC is a standalone conservatory so that would be harder to achieve. (He did not apply to the Tufts or Harvard joint programs).

Thank you so much for any information guidance you are able to offer!

About USC Thornton : There is a lot of synergy between Thornton composition majors, Thornton performance majors and the dance school (Kaufman), and also the film school I believe. You should ask the school for more information about opps across schools. Of course, at USC, there would be non-music opportunities at Dornsife.

I’ll PM you.

This decision would probably depend somewhat on your son’s preferred aesthetic and goals (orchestral? small ensemble edgy new music? film scoring? electronic work? computer music? interdisciplinary projects?).

Are there private lessons all 4 years? Is there a weekly composers forum? What are performance opportunities? Is credit given for performances? Are performances mainly by peer students or are well-known ensembles brought in? Do students rotate teachers or stay in one studio? Is there funding for summer programs? What is the atmosphere like: collaborative and supportive or competitive? Is a primary instrument required? (a pet peeve of mine but some like it) Who has been a visiting composer/in residence composer?

There can be differences in curriculum that are important too. Does your son like theory. Does he want a traditional classical curriculum or would he also like to extend out to jazz, or work with media, etc?

My personal opinion is that the most important element in an undergrad program for composition is diversity of style/aesthetic in student works. Students need to feel free to develop their “voice.”

I do think there can be an advantage to a school that focuses on undergrads, though schools with doctoral programs may have larger faculty. Not always but it’s a consideration.

Some kids like to live with all music students, and some like campuses where they are mixed in with other students outside of the music school.

The usual factors for all students: location, size, social life academics, and “vibe” are also important.

Has he visited all the schools? Interviewed?

I will post more in a few hours, but wanted to say that USC has an astounding number of minors and other majors available:

https://undergrad.usc.edu/programs/minor/list/

Also, here is a link to the BM requirements for USC’s composition program.
https://catalogue.usc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=11&poid=11036&returnto=3756

We found that there is just enough room for the major, a minor, and a couple of electives in four years. Also, USC does not require composers to maintain an instrument, although they can if they want. They are required to take a minimum of 2 semesters of an ensemble, but that can be in chorus if they don’t want to maintain their instrument. There is a composer’s forum weekly and also private lessons starting Freshman year.

I can post more, or send you a DM, a little later today.

@composermom I sent you a DM