<p>I'm not new to researching colleges and universities as I am a returning student. Call this a career change. I discovered my composing talent at nineteen. For years I've been growing. Now, at 30 something has occurred I did not entirely anticipate - my desire to enter formal schooling for composition. I'm not much caring about the social scene, unless you speak of professional outlets. </p>
<p>I should mention I live in Chicago. I began with an interest in film composing. However, after years of self-instruction, my interest has grown to learn beyond the framework of film composing. My style is prominent with orchestral construction. Think modern but not experimental. </p>
<p>I understand the quality of a composer's schooling largely depends on one on one instruction. My question is how does one go about deciphering with whom study to composition? Besides researching the written background of instructors, listening to excerpts of his/her works, it doesn't feel adequate. What else can be done? What am I missing?</p>
<p>I’m going to school for composition as well. I would research alumni from schools you are interested, and you can probably note the quality of the program by who is coming out of it and what they’re doing. Depending on the individual, you can even make friends with them on Facebook or through e-mail, and you personally can ask questions about their experience (I’ve been doing a lot of this - I’m trying to decide on a school at the moment).</p>
<p>While it’s good to go to a certain school because of a teacher that you’re interested in, it’s just as important to consider the overall music program. Research the ensembles, the performance faculty, and the theory faculty - keep in mind that you’ll be dealing with them all of the time, and your environment may be a big influence on your writing. Find out what opportunities are available to student composers. </p>
<p>Last but not least, research the requirements of your major at each school. Composition programs can vary greatly, and a lot schools offer a Theory and Composition major. Find out what you want out of a degree and go for it.</p>
<p>Good luck! If you’re staying in Chicago, you’ll have quite a few options available to you! Best of luck!</p>
<p>Great advice KatieThePiano. I might also add look into your fellow students as so much of what you’ll get out of the experience will involve them - in ensembles, getting them to perform your pieces, going to concerts with them, sharing your music with them, talking about music with them, making lifelong friends and professional connections. It may be if you find a program with a group of students you’re enthusiastic about, you’ll find you’ll be enthusiastic about the institution as well.</p>
<p>One thing you can do is attend a composers’ concert at the school (if you can afford the travel expenses). I would say my daughter’s main criterion was that there be a lot of diversity among student pieces, which she took as a sign that the composition department encouraged one’s “own voice,” versus some sort of departmental orthodoxy.</p>
<p>(We have seen students attend certain well-regarded conservatories writing, say, neo-Romantic music, coming out writing German academic or serialist music.)</p>
<p>The experience can also,a syou say, depend on the teacher. One teacher may teach with micro focus “on the page,” meaning the details in the score, and another might teach with a more narrative sense of music, or focus on the overall vision. That means, one teacher may encourage your music as is, and another might suggest a lot of changes in process which might be unwelcome for you.</p>
<p>You have been writing on your own and no doubt have a strong vision for what you write, so I would think that freedom to “be yourself” might be important to you as well.</p>