<p>To my fellow composers,</p>
<p>How do you write your music? On a program like Sibelius, or on a traditional staff paper? Also, when colleges ask for a recording of your compositions, does it need to be recorded live? Instead, can it be recorded on a software? Thank you for reading.</p>
<p>-Emprise</p>
<p>well i use sibelius at school but i don't have it at home so i use finale notepad.
it probably depends on the college but i would think that you can probably have a midi file as long as it's not highly edited. because if you're recording something for like a full orchestra they can't expect you to have a live recording all the time...right? :/</p>
<p>I use Finale 2008. It's awesome. Me luvs it.</p>
<p>It includes Garritan Personal Orchestra, which has actual instrumental samples, so the sound quality is superb. Obviously there are limitations regarding articulations, but for the most part, it does a great job.</p>
<p>Colleges do <em>not</em> want midi recordings, they won't even consider your application if you.</p>
<p>gms - I would strongly disagree. Each school has different standards for recordings, and many expect a midi quality recording if one at all. Many understand that a student composer pre-conservatory does not have access to a reading for their music. Most schools have an interview in which a faculty member interviews the applicant and discusses his/her score.</p>
<p>Some do require handwritten scores, as well as Finale or Sibelius printed scores. For instance, Oberlin asks that at least one out of 4 be handwritten. We overheard some applicants saying they were just going to copy their Finale score onto staff paper, but I don't think that is really what they wanted. Providing a handwritten score tells something about your process, I guess...</p>
<p>If you are applying to conservatory or a BM, and maybe even if you are applying to college, your music can sound a lot better if it is played live. Yes, some colleges accept midi recordings. But if you have a little money to spare, it can really be amazing to hear musicians play your compositions. Many musicians will volunteer or play for little money, to help a high school age composer out. Sometimes, you can recoup the money spent on musicians, in the scholarships that might result from the better quality of music live, than by Finale etc.</p>
<p>But Finale and Sibelius can certainly give a good idea of your music, and many schools will accept them, even if some of them indicate they prefer the other.</p>
<p>Granted if you have friends who are good at music, you can ask them to play it too. Are you at a pre-college program? There may be faculty/students who can help you there.</p>
<p>Compmom, thanks, this is helpful. My son (senior) is applying in composition (also violin) and has premieres scheduled, but they are all, unfortunately, after the application date of Dec. 1 (they will be in the first two weeks in December). Do you think schools will accept submission recordings later than the scores? It's possible we can get a good recording from a rehearsal, but time is getting short.
I'm also curious about the requirement that scores be submitted "bound." How much binding is usually expected?</p>
<p>For binding, just take it to Staples. Standard practice for scores are hard black plastic at the back, clear plastic sheen for front, and plastic ring binding. Takes about 30 seconds and costs about $1.</p>
<p>Thx Stephmin--this works for scores generated by Finale which print on 81/2 x 11, but what about non-standard handwritten scores on music ms. paper?</p>
<p>StringkeyMom,
One of the schools to which my son is applying as a composer told him he could send in a recording after the deadline because they won't actually be reviewing the scores/recordings until January or February. I would ask each college specifically if you could submit a later recording. At this particular school they actually requested he send in the recording after the performance as it is a piece that can't be approximated on a midi recording.</p>
<p>SpiritManager: YAY!!!! This made my day. Thank you!!!</p>