Either MM in composition or Plan "B"

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Hello everyone,
I'm a senior anticipating graduation this semester with a degree in Music Education. I will receive my teaching certification after I graduate, and I have applied to 4 schools to study composition at the graduate level. Even though bachelor's degree is in Music Ed, I have studied composition lessons (applied comp) for only 2 semesters, and have a decent portfolio of 3 works with recordings. I have applied to University of Michigan, SUNY Purchase, Boston Conservatory and New England Conservatory. I was rejected from both Michigan and Boston, and had a decent live audition with SUNY, and am waiting to hear back from BC in March. </p>

<p>I'm basically posing a question to parents/students with advice as to what my backup plan can be. I will obviously be discussing these plans with my teachers/music deans, but I do want to go to school right after graduation. I know that my composition experience is limited so that puts me at a disadvantage, but I'm also willing to look into other fields of music for study (even a MM in Music Ed). I want to keep taking composition lessons somehow (which may be difficult for those of you who suggest I look for a teaching job), but I'm basically looking for anyone who has had a similar experience. In the best case scenario, I will get into these final two schools and study composition like I intended. Worst case scenario, I don't get accepted and look for a plan B. My main goal is to stay in school for reasons of health insurance and other logistics of that nature. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!</p>

2

<p>You could get a job teaching (with health insurance) and spend a year or two studying composition and theory, either privately or in a continuing education program (New England Conservatory has one, for example), in the evening or weekends. </p>

<p>This would make up any prerequisite classes you might have missed as a music education major now thinking about composition, and also give you more experience in composing. Private composition lessons do not have to be weekly and can even be less frequent than monthly for some, if expense is an issue.</p>

<p>Alternatively, you could get an MM in music education, although, again, it seems like it would be a good idea for you to try teaching, first.</p>

<p>I know the job market is tough.</p>

<p>Most people pursuing composition are pretty driven. They are usually not doing it for practical reasons, if you know what I mean, although certainly an MM can help with jobs. The fact that you are not sure which direction to go in, would seem to say that you might want some time between undergrad and grad to really clarify your goals.</p>

<p>If you want to compose, you can really work at any job, as long as it leaves enough creative energy to work on your music (and as long as you have food and shelter).</p>