Going to attempt to apply for a music major. Lacking recordings. Help!!!

College Majors Music Major
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<p>I love music, I think about it a LOT. I want to major in it really bad, but some schools want recordings. The thing about me is that I've never had experience with recording and things of that like. What would I need in order to record a couple of my music pieces? I play guitar and plan on applying for a music composition major.</p>

<p>Tip: I'm not proficient with things for recording or anything like that. Also, I'm looking for a method that isn't expensive but frugal if possible because of financial situations within my family.</p>

<p>Every response is greatly appreciated it! :)</p>

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<p>Ask if they have recording equipment at your school that you could utilize. I’ve got recordings to do too (I play flute, music education major) and my band director is letting me use the school to do my recordings. If you have this option, it might be your best bet. I’m taking this route because its free, I can have my director help me with working the equipment, and I can record in the band room, where there are great acoustics. Its worth asking about!</p>

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<p>Thanks for the response. There’s a new choir teacher but I think I might go ahead and ask if she can help me with this. Good luck with your recordings!</p>

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<p>Are you submitting recordings of guitar or compositions or both?</p>

<p>Do you compose on Finale or any other computer program for composing?</p>

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<p>If you are applying for a music composition major you should definitely have your pieces on a program like Sibelius or Finale. Some schools will even ask to have the pieces recorded along with the sheet music.</p>

<p>Just a question, what kind of music do you compose?</p>

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<p>How about buying an all-in-one digital recorder for $200 +/- and making your own recording in your home? My D did that and it worked fine.</p>

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<p>Without sounds like a wet blanked (and I don’t mean to be), have you done any formal study of composition up to this point? Have you studied theory? I know only a little bit about composition programs, but they generally require, besides recordings of playing the students primary instrument, but also a portfolio of pieces the student themselves have done, and in some cases I believe they require a recording of the work being played (like I said, not an expert).</p>

<p>I suggest you do a search on threads on here about composition, to get an idea of what is required to get into these programs and how you go about it. I am always concerned when I hear kids having epiphanies like "I really want to study music’ and not realizing it in some ways is a lot more difficult then getting into an academic school…and that usually it takes years of work to be in a position to be able to apply (there are variations to this, of course, and I don’t claim to be an expert on composition).</p>

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<p>Ok, here’s the thing, I’m somewhat sure I’ll get responses saying that I should find something else to study because of my background but here goes: no I have not been formally trained in music. My school doesn’t offer music theory or AP music theory so I took it upon myself to understand music. I took choir (for one year because the other years I lacked space in my schedule for AP classes and requirements) thinking that would be the next best thing to music theory classes but it wasn’t what I expected it. Everything I’ve learned is from self study which includes reading books on music theory and composition, magazines, sheet music, things like that. I’m economically disadvantaged so I didn’t have the option of taking formal lessons. I know this sounds unorthodox, but I really love music and I took it upon myself to at least make an attempt in understanding. Some of the students in orchestra don’t even know what inversion and diatonic means for one, so I don’t know if music theory is stressed in the music programs.</p>

<p>I want to at least apply and if it doesn’t go well, I always have biology.</p>

<p>Does anyone know what the typical (if possible) music applicant is like in terms of knowledge and experience?</p>

<p>If I submit, I’ll probably submit recordings of pieces I’ve composed.</p>

<p>Well as for the type of music I compose, its very eclectic so its hard to say from my point of view. </p>

<p>As for a composing program, I use one that is guitar oriented.</p>

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<p>You asked what the experience level is for students applying to a music major in college. Students typically have years of practicing and development on their primary instrument. A music school is going to want to hear a recording of you performing some of the standard pieces on your primary instrument. Perhaps you can include yourself performing one of your own compositions–check with the school. </p>

<p>You don’t need to have studied music theory in high school, as you can take it in college. The college may test your level however when you auditon in person.</p>

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<p>Maybe I’m missing something, but there are plenty of colleges where you can major in music without auditioning. You can study theory, composition, musicology, and even some applied music for credit. For example, the University of Pennsylvania, which has an outstanding graduate program in composition. As an undergrad you would have the opportunity to do a non-auditioned music major and even double-major in Biology. (My husband did that, and off the top of my head I can think of half a dozen exemplary young musician/scholars who double-majored in music at Penn.) And that is only one example among many.</p>

<p>Most of the responses her have to do with auditioning for a performance major or a conservatory program in composition.</p>

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<p>Alright, I’ve had about three years’ experience with music so that might be helpful somewhat. As for the music theory, I know it but not every single thing.</p>

<p>As for double majoring, that really appeals to me but the schools that I can double major in are usually the top schools for some reason (UPenn, Washington U in St. Louis, Johns Hopkins, etc.) while the other schools, the ones that are easy to get into (high acceptance rate) require more things like letters of recommendation (3 of them), recordings, and an audition while some of the top schools for academics, don’t.</p>

<p>I am applying to two schools that don’t require most of the things that other schools do and if I get accepted into those schools and matriculate into one of them, I’ll most likely major in music composition.</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses!</p>

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<p>For recording, my daughter uses a Zoom H-2 (you can google it) which cost about $80 but gives her the freedom to record anytime, anywhere. Great quality recordings.</p>

<p>If you can clarify what type of schools you want to apply to, maybe advice could be more helpful.</p>

<p>If you want a BA degree, you can major in music (composition is usually part of a more general non-performance music major for a BA, with theory, musicology, and other academic classes in music), and generally there are no auditions, though sending a score/s (and recording if you have one) as an “arts supplement” can help your application. Some selective colleges will look at you more favorably if you are low income, believe it or not, and will take into account the fact that you have not been able to take lessons or pay for theory classes. Make sure to tell them about the work you have done on your own, which is quite impressive. You could write a note about this and enclose it with the score/CD and also include music teacher recommendations or a letter from anyone connected to your musical activities. This would be separate from the letters you get from academic teachers.</p>

<p>So you send a package that is in addition to the regular application, with score/s and/or CD, letters from musical teachers/connections, and a note from you about how you have not been able to pay for classes/lessons and what you have done to self-study. Programs and awards and so on can also go in this package, if you have any (and don’t worry if you don’t).</p>

<p>If you want a BM, at a conservatory or music school within a university, the application process for composition is complicated. Each school has different requirements, usually involving 3-5 scores, professionally bound (copy place can do it), and recordings. Some recordings can be Finale etc., but they usually like some pieces to be performed and recorded. Scores are often in Finale or Sibelius, but many schools will also take handwritten scores. The advantage for Finale is that it can make parts for pieces with many instruments.</p>

<p>Many conservatories do not require that composition students play an instrument, let alone require an audition.</p>

<p>Some conservatories and colleges do not have guitar. Do you play classical, acoustic, electric?</p>

<p>Be aware that most discussion on here is about “classical” composition. If you are interested in composing for popular, contemporary music, for movies, for games, and so on, come back on here and let us know. There are BM schools for those, such as Berklee, Belmont, USC Thornton that people have mentioned here, but there are also colleges with BA programs that might work for you. Suggestions would be different, though, than suggestions for classical work.</p>

<p>Conservatories have deadlines of Dec. 1 usually with auditions (for composers, this is exams and interviews, and sometimes an overnight composition assignment) in late Feb./March. College BA programs have deadlines of Jan. 1 most often.</p>

<p>Conservatories are expensive. Also be aware that some state schools have excellent BA and BM programs. Another financial consideration to remember though is that sometimes a private school with good financial aid can be more affordable than a state school.</p>

<p>It would seem that your best bet would be to apply to a BA program, in which you can explore both biology and music for your first year, and decide what you want to study. You can always minor in music, or double major, or do music outside of school. Some schools even pay for lessons if you are on financial aid.</p>

<p>I think it is really great that you have done so much work on your own. I would think any college would be very happy to have you on board, with that kind of motivation. Good luck!</p>