<p>My DS is a high school junior who would like to major in composition, perhaps double-major in composition and piano performance. It seems to me that he's much better prepared to major in piano performance than in composition. He's in his 11th year of piano lessons (his teacher has an excellent rep in our community), and has been doing the annual piano guild auditions for several years. While his piano lessons include theory and ear-training, they don't include composition studies. He has worked on his compositions on his own, played a few for his piano teacher, and performed a couple at recitals. I'm wondering about the expectations comp programs have for applicants' compositions. Do they typically expect comp applicants to have taking weekly comp classes during high school? Would DS's piano studies along with composing on his own be enough? Any thoughts and/or recommendations?</p>
<p>In case the following is helpful: I was a non-music major, and am trying to educate myself about what's required for a music-related major. We're a home-educating family, so I serve as guidance counselor. DD is a college freshman, and I'm familiar with general college app requirements, but she's not a music major. We're on the East Coast, and currently DS is looking into Peabody, as well as schools in the Philly area. Thank you.</p>
<p>It’s not too late for him to prepare for applications as a composition major. I recommend you hire him a private teacher immediately. Twice a month lessons would probably suffice to start. You can find teachers through your closest schools of music, referrals from his piano teacher, or local composers you may know of whom you could contact directly. If there is a group class he could take - such as at a pre-college program, that is also useful -especially as they often provide musicians for performances, which can be recorded.</p>
<p>And, I highly recommend he attend a summer composition program. Some of the applications are already looming, some won’t be for another few months or more. There are a number of threads on this forum discussing various summer programs for composers - of varying experience and ages.</p>
<p>As for what the expectations are - that will vary by program. Programs which only admit 1-3 composition students per year are going to have higher expectations, for instance, than ones which admit enough students to fill a class of 8-10 freshmen.</p>
<p>But do know he’s got the time to develop a significant portfolio in the next year. By this time next year he’ll need at least three finished pieces, with live recordings if possible, preferably scored for varying instrumentation.</p>
<p>As SpiritManager said, the private teacher is the first step and a summer program is a second step. Both of these will help with the development of a portfolio for submission. He will also need a portfolio when applying to many of the summer programs. In choosing the private teacher, keep in mind that this may very well be the person your son uses as his primary reccommendation for his composition application. A well regarded SOM composition faculty member is ideal if possible. Look at summer programs at schools your son may be interested in attending. Summer programs taught by the composition faculty are great because the interaction can be useful come admissions time. In addition, something to try and determine is if your son has some sense of his own compositional voice yet. He may not and this is only a factor with some schools. But if he does, it is a useful thing to discuss with the schools during the application process. Some schools care more about an applicant’s grasp of theory at this point than other schools. Many schools do not use theory skills in the application process. He will have many options in the east for schools with good piano performance and composition programs and they are not just in the conservatories or big name SOMs most of which are very difficult admits for composition. Take a broad approach as to the type of school at first before narrowing down the possibilities. There are gems in some of the LACs and universities. At the very least though make sure that the music department is lively and the talent level of the instrumentalists is as high as possible as your son will be interacting with these folks in his compositional work.</p>
<p>Is he applying to a conservatory/music school for a BM in performance, or a college/university for a BA in (academic) music? Composition can be studied in either kind of program.</p>
<p>Spirit Manager covers things thoroughly. It is definitely not too late. If his compositions so far are all piano pieces which he plays himself, he might want to try some pieces with more instruments as well. And lessons, and summer program. It can be hard to get pieces played: we sought volunteer professionals or paid a reasonable sum (people are kind to high school composers).</p>
<p>In many programs, he could enter as a piano performance major and add the composition. In a college program, he can enter as a general music major, study theory, composition and history, and do piano, through the college if offered, or outside of school, privately. There are different ways to go.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the responses. I feel that I now have a much better grasp on what we need to do.</p>