<p>I was just wondering if it is completely unheard of for one to go on to grad school in composition when they had not majored in it during undergrad?
I know everything depends on the quality of work, but I was just curious if anybody else has done this.</p>
<p>No, it is not unheard of at all. When my S and I visited Temple, we spoke with a student who had an undergraduate vocal performance degree and was studying for a master’s in composition. She said she did not compose anything until she got into college, took a composition class as an elective, loved it, started writing more and more, and decided that was what she wanted to do. </p>
<p>Of course, the entrance requirements for graduate programs in composition are tough and you will have to submit some very strong scores. But if your music is good enough I think they don’t care what your undergraduate degree is.</p>
<p>You might find this profile of Jennifer Higdon of interest - she did not study composition as an undergrad (flute performance) and just won the Pulitzer. <a href=“Jennifer Higdon Basks In Her Music Pulitzer - The New York Times”>Jennifer Higdon Basks In Her Music Pulitzer - The New York Times;
<p>From the article:
Ms. Higdon has had her share of detractors, who told her she couldnt compose because she had started so late; that a flute performance major couldnt be a composer; that she would never make a living; and that she would never get into graduate school. Some male composers grumbled to her face that her shes only been successful because shes a woman.</p>
<p>Everyone runs into naysayers, Ms. Higdon said, but if you love something enough and feel passionately enough, you just go on ahead, walk right round the person saying it, proceed down the road and dont look back.</p>
<p>^Great point. Most grad composition programs at SOMs generally have this type of statement on their admissions pages “requirements: BMUS in Composition or Equivalent” – its the “Equivalent” part that opens up the possibility for competitive applicants with strong portfolios. If you are presently an undergrad, write and have your work performed and recorded as much as humanly possible, and take as much advanced theory as your are able to. That will likely help.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone. SpiritManager, that is particularly inspiring. I am not a traditional music major in the sense that I started young/had access to good training from the start/was even particularly motivated when I first began (let’s just say I ended up wasting some time with my damnable teenaged years in terms of practicing my instrument). There have been a lot of naysayers but I continue to explore my own path and experience success despite their bitterness. It would be a lot harder to do so without such inspiring individuals to look up to.</p>
<p>Anyway, I am a BA freshman in a small but stellar university music program, considering switching to a BM simply for the increased performing training available, but I have long had interest in composition. I love my theory classes and recently got full marks on a large chorale assignment which I daresay is my first “formal” written work. I of course feel behind, but I know that if I keep working at it I can use the remaining years to progress as much as possible, although there is no undergrad comp program here.</p>
<p>Ideally, I would like to get into a Performance/Composition double degree program in graduate school.
I admit to feeling a little pushed for time…considering most grad students I know have impressive resumes of teaching and other interesting musical backgrounds which I have (yet) to achieve. I’d be all for taking time between this degree and my Masters to beef up said resume, however I would like to avoid having to pay off my student loans immediately after graduation (which means I’d need to go directly in grad school). Sort of makes it imperative that I get to where I need to be within three years.</p>
<p>@rosatcello I highly recommend you apply asap to some summer composition programs. You’ll get great exposure to interesting composers, get your music played & recorded, and meet other composers. Since your college doesn’t have a formal composition program, it’s important for you to get more experience and build a resume & connections before applying for grad school.</p>
<p>There are programs in the US, and abroad - they may be costly, but I think it would be worth it to you.</p>
<p>Some possibilities still open for applications (and I’m sure there are plenty more):
EAMA (European Musical Alliance) [European</a> American Musical Alliance](<a href=“http://eamusic.org/]European”>http://eamusic.org/)
Joel Hoffman’s composition course at the UPBEAT International Summer Music School in Milna on the Adriatic island of Brac in Croatia. (The link seems to be in Croatian but I know the courses are taught in English.) [Uzmah</a> - Upbeat](<a href=“http://www.upbeat.hr%5DUzmah”>http://www.upbeat.hr)
California Summer Music (accepting late applications) [California</a> Summer Music at Sonoma State University](<a href=“http://www.csmusic.org/index.php]California”>http://www.csmusic.org/index.php)
New York Summer Music Festival [Summer</a> Music Camp - NYSMF - New York Summer Music Festival - for Outstanding Young Musicians](<a href=“http://www.nysmf.org/composition.html]Summer”>Summer Music Camp - NYSMF - New York Summer Music Festival - for Outstanding Young Musicians)
Brevard Music Institute [url=<a href=“http://www.brevardmusic.org/institute/college/composition/]BMC”>http://www.brevardmusic.org/institute/college/composition/]BMC</a> : College Composition<a href=“Deadline%20is%20March%201!”>/url</a></p>
<p>Spiritmanager:
Thank you for this immense help! I will certainly be looking at a few of those and scrambling to get some stuff sent off.
When I said there is no comp program at my school, I lied – there is, but it is only for graduate students. Maybe I could still find a mentor of some sort.</p>
<p>Another summer composition festival in Italy I just stumbled upon with an April deadline: [highSCORE</a> Festival](<a href=“http://www.highscorefestival.com/composition.asp]highSCORE”>http://www.highscorefestival.com/composition.asp)</p>
<p>ASCAP has a one-day workshop in NYC on March 31 that looks very interesting, and hosts a huge Expo in April in LA. The ASCAP website is very useful for aspiring composers.</p>
<p>I posted a similar thread a while ago on this forum. It has been a tough road for me, having to make things happen a little more “forcefully” than those that did a composition undergrad. However, if you do the work and get the performances and experiences you need, you will be just as well off as any composer undergraduate. I applied last Fall so I’m still getting my results in as we speak, but things are certainly working out for me and they can work out for anyone in our position. I talked with several professors before applying about my undergraduate “situation”, and the unanimous response was that your music is what matters most!</p>
<p>Thank you for encouragement Comp85 (and the continued helpful links!) I’ll have to go look up your thread. 
Unfortunately due to some circumstances I won’t be able to attend a summer program this year, but at least I can use the time to continue to learn and improve.</p>