I am considering pursuing a DMA program for music composition and I’ve heard that it’s a good idea to find a school where the faculty’s aesthetic lines up with yours and where you see you’re future career being.
I am interested in music that is a bit more centered around minimalism and ambient styles. More tonaly than not. I’m not concerned with super edgy avant-garde. Some of my favorite composers are John Luther Adams, Philip Glass, Arvo Part, Lou Harrison, Charles Ives, Claude Debussy, Ben Johnson, etc.
Ive composed a good deal of chamber music, particularly choral:sacred music and electoacoustic music (I’ll mention my background is in music technology as well as composition). I work as a professional pianist and organist/choir director.
I’ve read that the program at Yale might be up my alley, anyone else have any suggestions??
thanks!!
Princeton. USC. NYU. Those come quickly to mind. All very selective. Graduate Center CUNY.
What do you mean by “ambient styles.” Do you want to continue doing electro -acoustic work/music technology? Do you have an interest in orchestral work? Also would you consider PhD? Where did you do your masters? Finally are there financial constraints?
Okay, got up and with access to my computer, read about ambient music 
Still have some of the same questions. Also if you want to continue writing choral/sacred music.
You are multi-faceted and am trying to figure out how the parts make a whole for you, so to speak.
Ambient might have been the wrong word. I think I’ll stick to saying “less complex” music, I hate saying TONAL because I feel that’s frowned upon.
I would like to continue to compose for mixed media because I’ve done some scoring work and other video things as well as pieces for live instruments and electronics. My weaknesses are orchestral writing. I absolutely am interested in gaining more knowledge there.
I’ve written choral and sacred music because it’s what I have access to. I work as a church music director so often I will arrange or compose for small ensembles that the church pays to come and play at Christmas and what not. It’s been a great self study in instrumentation and it’s gotten me interested in pursuing acoustic writing more deeply.
I have a Masters from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in Music tech with a focus on composition. Bachelors in music technology from Northeastern University in Boston. Both tech programs but heavily concentrated on composition. The only downside was not a lot of opportunities to write for large chamber ensembles, although I did write a good bit for mixed works (electronics and live).
I would prefer a DMA and not a Ph. D. Not interested in musicology or research or theory as a focus.
I also like Laurie Anderson and David Lang a bunch.
Also I don’t want to pay for it so it has to be someplace that offers full tuition and stipend. Preferably somewhere that cost of living is fairly affordable. I’ve heard University of Florida’s program, though rather recent, is fairly well put together.
Princeton does have an awesome computer music program. Is it worth looking at schools overseas? UK?
PMing you. In my view there are countless programs that might fit you. I think you may be mistaken in saying you want to avoid avant-garde environments. New music has in many cases moved past the 1960’s European avant-grade. For instance there is a “ slow music “ movement. Look up Jurg Frey. Most DMA programs in composition will have electronics. There are also programs in sonic arts, computer music, and things like “sound painting “ and installation work. You might benefit from a school where you can use your background and also explore acoustic composition along with an array of possibilities:). I am terrible at typing on my phone and will PM when I get home! Exciting that you are considering this!!!
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USC w/ Andrew Norman, Ted Hearne, MSM w/ Susan Botti, Reiko Füting, Columbia w/ Hass?