I’m looking for a school that has good academics (I’ve got a 4.3, 1550 SAT) and a good music program. I’m heavily interested in film scoring, but as I’ve looked at music composition faculty from schools I like, every single professor seems to only do extremely experimental, avant-garde music, which 1. I don’t like and 2. is not the style used in film scoring.
By the way, I love jazz and all types of music, except this super experimental music and maybe country haha
If you all know of any good professors at any schools, or any music programs that aren’t absolutely entranced with the avant-garde, please let me know. Obviously, I’m aware that those professors can still teach me worlds of knowledge, but it would be nice to know of some professors/schools that share the same compositional style as I do.
You want a professor or school with the “same compositional style” as yours. Can you articulate that a little more? Are you a neo-Romantic composer? What composers do you admire?
Are you interested in a BA, BM, double major, or double degree program? You might want to read the Double Degree Dilemma essay posted closer to the top of this forum.
We can answer about schools if we know what degree you want to pursue. A BM will be 2/3-3/4 music classes and a BA will be 1/4-1/3 music classes, sometimes 1/2. Composers can do either and still get into a good grad program.
It sounds like a BA would best suit you from what you have written so far.
I also would suggest reading Alex Ross’ book “The Rest is Noise” and listening to some of the composers he writes about. You are painting with an extremely broad brush when you refer to “experimental” and “avant-garde.” There are many different styles within the category of contemporary classical aka “new music.”
Many undergrad composition programs are less “avant-garde” because they are foundational. However, the focus is always finding your own “voice,” and a good program would have some diversity, with each composer finding their own path.
At the undergrad level, you should probably not judge programs exclusively by listening to professors’ work. Good teachers will allow their students to write what they are moved to write. At the grad level, the aesthetic of the teacher is much more important.
There are BM programs that do have film scoring. And some liberal arts colleges will too, within a BA music degree. You can also try to find schools that have film students that you can work with.
USC has an excellent grad program for film scoring, but likes their undergrads to get a foundation in composition first.
Have you studied with a teacher, done conservatory prep, done summer programs, or mainly worked on your own?
Off the top I think you could look at Tufts, Amherst and Williams, maybe Wesleyan, the “Little Ivies.”
Yep, I’m doing the Berklee Intensive Camp this summer, and I’ve got two college portfolio-ready good songs already. I’m looking at more of a BA, you’re right. Thanks for the insight about the undergrad vs. grad distinction. In regards to Double degree, I’m undecided, it is a dilemma. Thanks for your help!
One other thing: to get into a good grad school, you mainlly need a portfolio, just as you do for undergrad, and there are many ways to assemble one. So you don’t necessarily need a BM or double degree, and a BA may suffice.
When you look at schools, find out whether there is a student composers group (or you can start one) and whether there are opportunities for your pieces to be played, particularly by professional musicians funded by the school or composers’ group. Also find out if there are lessons on campus, or in the community funded by the school. If you look at course offererings, sometimes lessons are sort of hidden there in “tutorials” and small seminars as well.
Summer programs are very important because they give you a chance to get pieces played, as well as network. So find out whether schools you are interested in offer funding for summer programs, if finances are an issue.
You might like the European American Musical Alliance Summer Institute program, which is focused on counterpoint and harmony, at some point. Orignally run by Nadia Boulanger.
https://www.europeanamericanmusicalalliance.org/
There is an argument to be made that a liberal arts curriculum enhances composition over the long term. Learning cultural history, art, poetry and so on. There is also a lot of benefit from technology studies, which intersects with composition on several levels.
Listen to Arvo Part (Fur Alina, Spiegel im Spiegel, Requiem for Banjamin Britten), David Lang’s “LIttle Match Girl Passion” Judd Greenstein’s “Night Gatherers”, John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, Cynthia Wong, - a random listing that can let you know that beauty continues in contemporary music.
Composition requires patience. You may want to get right to studio work, which can work for some, but for many it is a long road and using undergrad years to develop without the pressures of the marketplace can pay off in the long run.
Good luck!
Its hard to speculate, but based on your requirements for academics and great music programs, a few come to mind -
Joint programs :
Tufts/NEC,
Harvard/NEC (I think),
Juilliard/Columbia.
Schools with conservatories :
USC/Thornton (awesome film school and music school, great academics, scholarships !!),
Peabody/Johns Hopkins,
maybe Bienen/Northwestern.
Not sure about composition but Blair/Vanderbilt may be an option.
I’m sure there are plenty of colleges out there that fit the bill, and there’s one for you.
Harvard and Yale both have double degrees with NEC, but they are BA/MM’s not BA/BM’s. There are a lot of double degree programs. Along with those above, Tufts/NEC, Oberlin, Bard, Michigan, Hartt, Temple Boyer, many more.
The schools with conservatories above also have double degrees. Thornton likes film scoring for grad school. Schools like SUNY Purchase and North Carolina also have film schools so composers can work with peers.
Berklee and Frost are also possibilities if you want a BM. Harvard has a newish double degree with Berklee which you could look into.
At Bard, all conservatory students do 5 years. I know students who did composition outside of the conservatory (and didn’t even major in music) who went on to a top grad school. This applies to many schools.
The main decision here is what kind of degree and honestly a BA can fit the bill. It’s a choice. You can apply to a number of options and decide in late senior year.
I hesitated to say this, but am returning to tell you that being open to all kinds of compositions is important for development. There is much to appreciate that may not be apparent on the surface. And if you want to keep the same style, and have a teacher with the same style, you may stagnate. Like any art form, composition involves development over time- actually a lifetime. If you write the same music in ten years that your write now, there is something awry 
This might be slightly off topic, but could be helpful in general re. composing for films “how to be a film composer, witch Christopher Willis from the Sticky Notes”
https://www.stitcher.com/s?eid=67129962&autoplay=1
I listened to the whole thing just now. Maybe you could post it as a separate thread-?
Willis has a background as a classical composer and makes the point that classical concert composition is a totally different endeavor from film scoring. In some segments of the classical world, the ultimate insult is to hear you should write for film! Probably because the music serves the film. But also academic music often has disdain for the marketplace. Of course, there are themes in film music that are truly beautiful and sometimes, more than that, interesting.
I knew some of the history of music and film but I was surprised that Willis writes film music with the film playing, on one screen, and his score on another- which almost mimics the old-fashioned way of a moviola and piano.
This was worth listening to- thank you!
I strongly recommend to look into Peabody Conservatory’s “Music for New Media” program headed by Thomas Dolby (yes, GenX parents, THAT Thomas Dolby). New but extremely well regarded. Focus includes film and TV, but also emerging non-linear media such as video games. Sounds like it might be right up your alley, and since Peabody is part of Johns Hopkins, you’ll have some access to a world-class university and the things that it offers.
I also recommend checking out the Music Composition program at UC Santa Barbara’s College of Creative Studies (which is different from the composition program at UCSB’s Music School). Very open-ended program. A family friend’s son who has the same musical sensibilities as you Is in that program and loves it.
That said, you’d be surprised how much film music is atonal and/or dissonant. John Williams is the best known film composer around and people rightly associate him with new-romantic style scores. But while he’s known mostly for the big themes, much of the actual film music isn’t new-romantic. Check out his Suite from “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and you’ll hear all sorts of different music.
If you’re open to listening to contemporary “classical” composers, I’d strongly suggest
- Andrew Norman (“Gran Tourismo,” “Play,” or “Sustain”),
- John Adams (“Naive & Sentimental Music,” “Short Ride on a Fast Machine,” “City Noir,” and “Harmonielehre” are my favs),
- Caroline Shaw (“Toccata” which one the Pulitzer Prize, as well as various collaborations with Kanye West),
- Esa-Pekka Salonen (“LA Variations,” the Violin Concerto, and the Piano Concerto, and so much more),
- Bryce Dessner (composer for the movie “The Two Popes” and guitarist for The National),
- Ellen Reid, Nico Muhly, Daniel Bjarnasson, Mason Bates, Dale Trumbore, among others.
These are composers who have largely eschewed the hardcore avant-grade and/or moved beyond the Minimalism of the 60’s and 70’s, and each has found their own voice. Many are in their 30s.
I should add that Andrew Norman teaches at USC Thornton.
Good luck!
@WestOfPCH wow what an interesting post (and my S isn’t even looking towards a composition major!). Thomas Dolby at Peabody and the guitarist from the National composing the score of Two Pope’s, I love it!
I’m going to check out your list just for my own personal interest. One of the reasons I enjoy CC, such a treasure trove of info even when not related to your own kid’s journey.
@raincat Thanks for the kind words. Glad you found it interesting, and even more so that you’re going to check out some of the music. k what you think.
@Composition Major seems to want a BA, not a BM. The Peabody program is intensely focused but does offer a double degree BM/BA with the School of Arts and Sciences.
There are many such programs- Peabody is the newest and it looks great. For undergrad you can also study composition in a BA without the double degree, with lessons and performances, with or without a music major. And find peers doing film, for whom you can write. Then get the intense focus in grad school if that is the path you want.
I think it would be good to ramp up your sophistication in new music WestOfPCH and I have given you some composers. The book by Alex Ross entitled “The Rest is Noise” might be helpful in giving you an idea of the more recent history of classical music and various composers to listen to.
In fact, you could start with Ligeti.
It would be good to have a teacher. So glad you are doing the Berklee summer program.