Hi, so I passed the Composition pre-screening for Boston Conservatory so far! And I’m really interested in studying there, so I hope I could get some insight into what the Composition Interviews are like. They’ve mentioned that in addition to the interview, there will be a test on theory and general music knowledge. Anyone know more about the test? Also, does anyone know how many students pass the prescreening, and then pass the interview to get accepted? How many composition students do they accept per year?
I’m an international student - is there anyone on this site who’s done a Skype interview for composition? What is it like? And how are theory tests conducted in such cases? Any other international applicants for composition on this site?
The theory and general music knowledge tests are for placement purposes, usually, so don’t worry. The only reason to study would be to skip some intro classes. But then again, it is often a good idea to start at the beginning at whatever school you go to, anyway.
I don’t know about BoCo in particular, but most schools have interviews that are pretty relaxed. You might have a conversation about your musical interests, composers you admire, analysis of a piece that you submitted, where you hope to develop etc. etc.
You know that BoCo has merged with Berklee, right?
In person interviews are preferred but if you are not in this country I am sure they will understand. I don’t think a Skype interview would be that different.
The number accepted each year will most likely vary and depend on the studios of the faculty. Some grad slots are counted in too.
No instrumental audition required, so that’s good. Less stress!
Remember you are evaluating them too, whether you want to go there. Thinking that way helps with nerves 
Good luck!
As compmom said interviews for composition vary from school to school. Nevertheless, there are areas for which you should be prepared. Have an elevator speech prepared as to why you want to major in composition, your composition experience and can you live without composition. If you could not do composition for some reason, what would you do. Would it be music related? Be prepared to discuss your composition voice if you have one. If you do, schools are usually very interested in what it is and why. If not, don’t worry, many students haven’t developed their comp voice before college. If you have composition influences be they styles or specific composers, have an elevator speech prepared for that topic. In addition, know the pieces in your portfolio very well and be prepared to discuss them and the choices you made in their composition. This would be the most technical type of interview as opposed to the other interview focus. My son had one interview which consisted entirely of the professor silently conducting one of his pieces. He would stop in places and ask questions regarding aspects of the piece. Best of Luck!
Hi compmom and compdad! Thanks for the information! Ill prepare accordingly - I know that I have a voice developing…I have a fascination with using Russian mediants, suspensions during a cadence and weird rhythms, but at the moment that’s all I’ve been really able to notice, it definitely needs to develop a lot lot lot more.
To compmom - yes I’ve heard that they’ve merged and I’m quite glad about that, I’m very interested in Boston conservatorys style for teaching composition…I want a more conservatory styled focus on contemporary classical music, and since I eventually want to be a film composer, making music for dance and drama can really give me different perspectives. And since they’re with berklee, hopefully I can get access to the technology side of composition that I feel is extremely important.
Compdad -
oops my meessage didnt get sent,
Compdad - Yes I still haven’t gotten a full idea of my voice. All i know is that I’m fascinated by using Russian mediant modulations, suspensions during cadences and really weird rhythms - but tI definitely have a lot more to learn before I develop a voice. Good thing I wrote down harmonic analysis of most of my portfolio pieces beforehand, because eI definitely forgot a lot of the details and ideas behind some of my older pieces haha (Once I start a new piece, I almost forget about the previous one) And interesting way of interviewing - the conducting one - didn’t know that could happen, thanks for the insight!
If there are any students who are doing/have done the BoCo, Berklee, SUNY Purchase or Bard interviews, or have applied to USC, NYU, Northwestern, CalArts etc. for composition, feel free to add on, I’d like to know your insights on this as well, since not many people go into composition from where I come from, I really don’t know much about the process or the schools other than what I can get on the internet or from a couple of people I know here and there.
Even from what you have written here, I would say you are going to do fine. If it helps, you can call the admissions offices to find out more about the interviews in detail.
This is several years ago, but my daughter’s experiences ranged from relaxed to grilling on music knowledge and a test of will to an overnight composition assignment defended before a panel. If a school is already sure they want you, the interview may just be a brief chat about something else entirely!!
There are posters here who know about your specific schools and I am sure they will come on here, but things may have changed, so, again, admissions is a great source for you.
If you enjoy talking about music and composition, you will enjoy the interview, and my intuitive sense from your posts is that this will be right up your alley. It is important that you know something about contemporary classical aka new music, and about 20th and 21st century composers, and it would seem you do. And of course music history in general.
Most applying to undergrad do not have an established “voice” as yet. Alex Ross mentions in his book “The Rest is Noise” that the typical high schooler writes neo-Romantic pieces and then acquires some sophistication in the next few years. You sound well on your way.
In the interview, you can try to ascertain whether the dominant aesthetic at each school matches your own, in a general way. This is essential for grad schools but also important if you are going to conservatory. I am sure you have listened to faculty pieces and also suggest going to a concert of student composers’ works, or at least find what you can of both faculty and students online. The selection process is a two way street.
Good luck!
At Berklee, you will have to audition no matter what your major. Even though you may apply with a major it is relatively meaningless. Admittance is based on your audition on your primary instrument and your interview. You may want to talk about your composing aspirations and perhaps share some of your music during this process. You won’t pick your major until later. Most choose their Major in their 3rd semester. Good luck!
Composition interviews vary from program to program, and probably from year to year, and even student to student. There are some conservatories known for the grilling and overnight assignment (Juilliard/Manhattan), and some which don’t even ask for an interview - unless they’re on the fence (USC.) At Michigan one speaks in front of panels of the composition faculty. In my S’s year they asked him about the image on his t-shirt, and his academic essay (which he didn’t remember.) I guess they asked him about his music, too! Many of the interviews are for them to get to know you, and you to get to know them. They’ve already heard your music by the time you’re at the interview. They want to know if they would like having you in the program. If you’d be an asset and a good fit. If you’d be fun to teach.
Think of the interview as a chance to talk about music with people who care about it as much as you do.
Thanks everyone for all the advice! Compmom, I’ll keep the whole two way street mindset! That’ll definitely calm the nerves! I’m glad I don’t have to do those overnight assignments your daughter did, that sound’s scary!
Rockinmomab, yes I found out about that, quite recently unfortunately, just a few months ago. Since I’m in the army, practising piano has been quite tricky, but I’ve been able to study harmony, theory and compose, so hopefully I can explain that well to them during the interview portion! My audition is coming up in 5 days and I’m in no way ready :S
SpiritManager, thanks for the insight! I’ll try to just be myself and show as much of my personality as I can!
Good Luck @ComposerSoldier!
My daughter claims she is still lousy at piano. Don’t worry about it too much. Many composers don’t use an instrument at all . Piano is important mainly for theory, but most schools do placement and then offer classes to help you progress. The main thing is the portfolio.
You sound like you are in really really good shape and I admire you for doing all this while in the military. You will probably be among the more sophisticated applicants compositionally, judging from what you have written
I admire you for doing all this while in the military and so will the schools.
Good luck from all of us and if you have a chance, let us know where you land!
@ComposerSoldier - the schools listed don’t offer ROTC?
@ClarinetDad16 - he is an international applicant.
@SpiritManager - I am confused then. Come to the US for a really expensive conservatory education and then return to OP home country and serve in the military?
Maybe it’s a mandatory year of service? European conservatories may not have the aesthetic or curriculum he’s looking for in composition, too. They’re quite different in structure for undergrads. But it’s certainly a question worth asking!
Just wondering why some people who post on CC rarely have anything positive to say???
In Singapore we have two years of national service, I already completed that and extended my service for another 6 months. After national service I’ll get called back every now and then for reservist training. After this I’ll study and then hopefully become a composer for film, video games and other multimedia. The reason I chose America over Europe was because I have relatives and friends staying in America, and its just easier to assimilate in American culture since the main language is English.
Thanks for all the advice!
Hi. Thanks the information in this string is very helpful and I will share it with my child. Can I follow up on this string with a question about the interview. For my child’s interview, they also have a block for the instrument, in addition to a block for composition . For the instrumental block, will they have the student play the same music they submitted for the audition? Will they have a sight-reading component? Is it simply to make sure the student is competent? Any more info on that aspect works would be helpful. Not too worried since the student has made all-state every year and an excellent sight-reader, but now that is focused on composition, he/she doesn’t practice the instrument so much.
On the music forum, I assume there is an understanding that critical peer review is invited. I try to frame it that way.
You might want to post this as a separate thread. Soldiercomposer did not write about an instrumental audition. For composition, some schools only have prescreen portfolios and then interviews, with placement tests for theory- no instrumental audition.
Generally speaking the instrumental audition would, I am speculating, be to ensure the student plays well enough to be able to participate in required performance or vocal ensembles on campus. In most cases, again speculating but this has been discussed here, the talent and technical requirements would be a bit lower for composers than instrumentalist applicants. Piano testing is also usually for placement purposes.
Sight reading would be placement, not admissions. The instrumental block would be for an instrumental audition as part of the composition application. Often there is a listed repertoire. I would call to find out what he should be prepared to play.
My own kid avoided schools with instrumental auditions: the preference was for schools that let composition stand alone for admissions purposes, so I don’t know as much as others on this.
Post it in a new thread!! Good luck!