<p>I'd like to hear from any "veteran" music parents (or students) to get a sense of what might be considered a decent or acceptable first semester, freshman year GPA for composition. I fully realize this is like asking for an opinion on an ocean -- it depends upon where, who, for what purpose...and a host of other factors. Still, I'm a "newbie" and since music is a completely different animal than liberal arts, any insights would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>Pianomom - Are there particular classes which were a problem for your son? Such as theory? Or aural skills? I know those are often challenging for many students. However, for composition he will definitely need to master those, or at least feel comfortable with them. Is your son planning on grad school? If so, then grades are going to be more important. But, if he’s planning on going straight into the music world, his gpa may not matter at all?</p>
<p>At most schools, first-year composition majors take either the same courses as other music majors, or have only one course different (i.e. the composition course). Therefore, there is no reason for their GPA’s to be that different from other music majors. Often the composition majors are somewhat more academic than the performance or music ed majors (but there are plenty of exceptions), so some of them tend to have higher GPA’s than the other music majors. </p>
<p>It is fairly common for composition majors to test out of some music theory and aural musicianship courses, so if they are taking 2nd or 3rd theory or aural courses in their first semester, they can face considerable challenge and adjustment. I hear many students at many music schools comment on how difficult the theory and aural courses are, although I think that in at least some cases, the perceived difficulty is more a product of low expectations rather than of reality.</p>
<p>Because the students at music schools come from such a wide variety of backgrounds (academically, music theory-wise, and aural musicianship-wise), some students do face more adjustments during 1st semester than others do. Often they find classes become progressively easier as semesters go by. It can be frustrating and disheartening for bright, musical students to struggle relative to peers that have less talent merely because the peers had the advantage of years of a pre-college program that was designed to make the transition to college music theory, aural musicianship, music history, and other courses easy and smooth.</p>
<p>Most colleges and schools of music work to keep grades consistent between departments and disciplines, so usually there is not a huge difference between departments or disciplines as to “what might be considered a decent or acceptable first semester, freshman year GPA.” Certainly there are profs and schools that are not at all successful in maintaining fairness or consistency. </p>
<p>Ultimately, as SpiritManager points out, what constitutes acceptable will depend on what one wants to do with one’s life. To pursue grad studies in composition, a reasonably high GPA may be necessary (although if one’s portfolio is stellar, there may be some forgiveness there). The good or bad news (depending on whether one’s 1st sem GPA is low or high, respectively) is that there are 7 semesters in which that GPA can change!</p>
<p>I should add that at some schools, it is widely recognized that the music majors are as a whole a brighter bunch than most of the other majors, and thus their GPA’s tend to be higher. There are, of course, schools that lower the academic bar for performance majors and thus have a group of music majors that are not as academically strong as most other majors (typically this is at very strong colleges), and therefore the music GPA’s might be slightly lower than those in other departments.</p>
<p>you’ll never get a job where your gpa matters as a musician, and most masters programs seem to place the weight of the admission on the audition. however, your also majoring in something you love and want to do for the rest of your life—so I don’t think you should accept mediocrity (in instrumental/aural/compositional ability, which will lead to good grades. as will punctuality and attendence, which are just as important) as a viable option. good grades shouldn’t be seen as a product or something to strive for (as long as they are high enough to maintain scholarships/aid if neccesary), but as the side product of doing what you need to do</p>
<p>For a composition PhD I imagine grades might matter for some programs, or, certainly for their fellowships and TA positions, because often the grad students are assigned the theory classes to teach. Acceptance to the program on a whole will certainly depend on one’s composition portfolio, though, as well as letters of recommendation.</p>
<p>Thanks Violindad, SpiritManager, & Jazzguitar19 for the helpful information. I suppose that because my frame of reference is from the liberal arts which is vastly different from music, I’m comparing very different things.</p>
<p>Future plans are unknown and while there was some pre-college training in theory, the introduction of new skills in other courses resulted in some struggle but this is the point of college – to learn new things. There were two classes where my son should have tested out but was told that the instructors were very tough about allowing anyone to test out thus no attempt was made. </p>
<p>I realize that if graduate school is an option that GPA will be more important, however I was trying to determine some baseline for what would be a decent GPA in this major. I suppose it is a very individual thing based upon many of the factors that each of you referenced. Thanks again…</p>
<p>Have you checked the school and music department websites? General information on acceptable, as well as honors level, GPA’s is often available on the school website (or online student handbook), and more specific information on expectations for the major, including honors status, can sometimes be found on the music department pages.</p>
<p>At my daughter’s school, I believe half the students dropped out of first year music history, which was very difficult. We thought maybe there was some weeding out going on, since some students might think music would be an easier major and enroll in those courses (and that major) for the wrong reasons.</p>
<p>Theory and aural skills do not come easily for everyone, even those who are gifted composers. And, frankly, I do not think that excelling in these classes is necessary to pursue composition at a high level: it depends on the student’s compositional process. So a disappointing grade in theory class should not dissuade a student from following that path.</p>
<p>It seems to be a good idea, at least at some schools, not to attempt to test out of first year theory. Every school’s theory classes are a little different, and starting at the ground floor level with the first year classes can be beneficial even for those who have had previous theory and solfege training.</p>