<p>Where are the very best colleges in the U.S. for composition, but with a lot of traditional training, with emphasis on the classical and romantic, and early 20th century periods. Not that I don't appreciate composers after Rachmaninoff, but so many colleges are obsessed with John Cage and ilk (not that I hate them), that the major seems a bit lopsided.</p>
<p>Ideas?</p>
<p>Mannes is a good choice for such a composition focus. But at many schools, it all about with whom you study.</p>
<p>Do you want a conservatory/music school (BM degree) or a college/university (BA degree)?</p>
<p>Maybe let us know a little more about you and what you want, so folks can help you out.</p>
<p>Maybe check out faculty on different sites and listen to their music, if you have time.</p>
<p>The best programs let you develop your “own voice” and don’t have a dogmatic approach to what you should be composing…</p>
<p>Some schools do lean more toward tonal music (Curtis, for instance) or atonal music (Oberlin) but I think the most important thing is to find a teacher and school that lets you be yourself.</p>
<p>If you are looking for a school of music in a university setting do consider if your grades, test scores and rigor of classes fit in with that freshmen profile. Check out financial aid, merit scholarships, location, size of school and names and achievements of the composition faculty.</p>
<p>Compmom suggests you indicate in a general way a bit more about your goals and academic background in order for posters to give suggestions.</p>
<p>Not to sound patronizing but…</p>
<p>Can you name an example of just one such university or conservatory, that as you say, is obsessed with John Cage and the like? What does a Cagean approach mean to you? And can you give an example of what makes you feel that said department is lopsided?</p>
<p>Also - you ask for a school that provides a lot of traditional training. I would like to turn that around and say 99 percent of schools will provide that traditional training, or at least curricular opportunities for that grounding.</p>
<p>Sorry if I came off as cynical, just asking some questions and trying to gauge where you cam from and want to go :)</p>