<p>My son only recently (last 2 years) developed an interest in majoring in classical composition, with a GPA and SAT that meets minimum standards at most music programs. He is interested in studying at a conservatory and is bypassing some other opportunities at backup schools to reapply to music conservatory programs. I am concerned that he will find out Mar 2012 again, that he has no options that interest him. He doesn't feel like he is ready to give up on his dream at this point and really wants to try again.
Is there a teacher anyone can recommend in the phila area to study with to help guide us in the right direction.
The teacher he currently studies under wrote him recommendations, but since he didn't get in anywhere, I am concerned that we should be looking elsewhere for instruction.
I am open to suggestions, for example I noticed that NEC has an adult prep division that he might benefit from, but he'd have to move to Boston for the year, in a program not really designed for that. He looked at Interlochen but the 50K price tag is a little ominous for a post grad year, so he hasn't followed up on that.
any thoughts?</p>
<p>I live in Philadelphia. I don’t know a lot about composition but I do know some students who have studied privately with teachers who also teach at Curtis and other places. If you send me a PM I can give you some leads and more info.</p>
<p>I don’t know if they give private lessons, but there are some good composition professors at Temple and West Chester, and of course at Curtis. At a minimum you might find one at these schools that would review your son’s compositions and critique them with an eye toward a portfolio for application next year. </p>
<p>There are also colleges including Berklee that are open now for application to the spring class in January 2012. </p>
<p>I would advise your S not to be so set on a conservatory program either. My S applied to some composition programs and we investigated many others at good universities. A composition degree from a place like Ithaca or NYU is nothing to sneeze at.</p>
<p>U Penn has a good composition department, and there might be someone there who would be willing to teach your son. Geroge Crumb taught there for many years. Jennifer Higdon and Richard Danielpour teach at Curtis, and are probably very busy, but they or the department could refer you.</p>
<p>Getting a teacher to take you on can be like conservatory admissions: they will want a portfolio to listen to.</p>
<p>Have you considered a year at a place like Walnut Hill (I guess Interlochen was along the same lines). Walnut Hill does have some financial aid, though not a lot.</p>
<p>NEC prep offers a lot of good theory and solfege classes, and some composition work (I think with Stephen Savage). But for an 18 year-old to move to a new city and live there in an apartment, and go to NEC in the evening…I don’t know. Do you have friends he would be able to stay with?</p>
<p>Compositions students have more flexibility about where they go to school, than instrumental majors or vocalists. Many colleges have good music departments, and also, some composition students do most of their real composing outside of school, with continued private work.</p>
<p>Has your son had pieces played by some good musicians? That helps a lot with admissions. Summer programs can also be helpful.</p>
<p>the reason he likes the conservatory environment is the amount of time spent on other degree requirements. He expects to tour Ithaca for sure and maybe apply.</p>
<p>thanks compmom, I hadn’t thought about UPenn professors. I have a few names now to work with to find instruction. I felt the same way about the NEC option. He has quite a few friends at Berklee but no adults he could live with.</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ve already experienced this, but we found that once one phone call is made, that person refers you, you make another call, and so on, and at some point, it works out!</p>
<p>Are there continuing ed classes at Penn, Temple or Curtis for this fall? Music history, theory, composition, ensembles…Good luck!</p>
<p>Good suggestion to look for continuing ed courses at philly schools.
His year will go fast, all of the applications and visits. Thanks for all the help from
the college confidential community.</p>
<p>If you live in the Philly area your son can enroll in the Young Scholars program at Penn and take undergraduate courses as a nonmatriculated student. But I would suggest studying privately with a grad student. I have someone in mind to suggest, if you want to PM me.</p>