Experimental Music Majors??

<p>My S is looking for experimental music/ experimental composition/ contemporary composition majors. He found a good program at Calarts but we're looking for a few other options (so his heart doesn't get broken!!)
Has anyone heard of a good program that might be a fit?
Good grades, sats, portfolio etc.
Looking for a program where he can be guided but doesn't have to prescribe to any particular school of composition (classical/jazz)
thanks!</p>

<p>From what i've read here i think that for experimental/contemporary composition, Oberlin is great...maybe others can help you more! Good Luck!</p>

<p>I know nothing about programs themselves, but I recently met two really good, successful young (barely 30) composers of experimental music. Huang Ruo went to Oberlin (BM), then got a masters at Juilliard, and is working on a DMA at Juilliard, and Mason Bates went to Columbia/Juilliard program and is working with another composer at UC Berkeley. Your S can find their music online and see if that's what he's thinking of.</p>

<p>They are both fantastic composers by the way!</p>

<p>Anyway, pm me cucumber if you're interested. There's another person on this board who pm'ed me about composition programs as well. I could def. tell you more.</p>

<p>I have heard that North Texas is very experimental and not classicaly oriented at all.</p>

<p>But what does "classicaly oriented" mean?</p>

<p>This may be of interest: <a href="http://ems.music.uiuc.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://ems.music.uiuc.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Check Bard College</p>

<p>The conservatory at Oberlin has a really great program called TIMARA - Technology in Music and Related Arts. A TIMARA student would take classes in the department and the Composition department, as well as the music curriculum (music theory, history, etc.). He/she is also required to take arts electives (theatre, dance, digital video or other art, or any arts course.) It's a great program, and I'm applying to grad school next year for electro-acoustic composition. </p>

<p>here's the site: <a href="http://www.timara.oberlin.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.timara.oberlin.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>You can send me a message if you want more info, and I can put you in touch with the professors.</p>

<p>Good luck with the college search!</p>

<p>If you're looking into universities, keep the University of Chicago in mind. They have a number of very prominent composers in residence & on faculty and they have a wonderful composition program as a whole. The main library at the U of C has an amazing collection of modern printed music and recordings.</p>

<p>I did a master's degree at NYU with an emphasis on experimental flute performance. I think that NYU is a good school if you're into experimental music.. Otherwise it's hit or miss.</p>

<p>I can't speak for experimental composition,but my uncle, who was a Tony award winning composer, studied at Cincinnnati Conservatory of Music ((CCM),which is part of the University of Cincinnati. He could have gone anywhere but chose CCM. This should speak volumes about their program.</p>

<p>By the way, they are rated overall very highly in composition.</p>