Good safety/middle-rank schools for music composition

College Majors Music Major
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Hi - I’m a senior applying for music composition in a few months. I’ve studied with a private teacher for 4 years (doctoral students at Rice University), composed for 10 years, played piano for 11. I compose contemporary, concert music (have done a 1-hr film score though) and have had my works read by professional musicians (both inside and outside of summer programs) alongside other performances. I’ve gotten really positive and encouraging feedback both from my individual teacher here and a professor I studied with this past summer, so I have a lot of competitive schools on my list that I want to go to!

I currently have: Northwestern, Peabody at Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, Oberlin (?), Curtis, Yale, North Texas

I know there are already a lot of threads on this (I’ve looked at probably all of them) but I want to ask more about schools that have a larger acceptance rate. The schools listed above (except UNT) are all very difficult and I want to have more back up options…but still schools that have a solid composition program.

I’ve looked a lot into this and have some ideas but it’s difficult to find information on programs that are less selective and still good!..like a middle-ground school. Still known for their music program, still will get strong instruction, but not as top as Northwestern or Peabody. FYI I have a strong transcript (4.0 GPA, IB diploma candidate) and test scores (1500 SAT with 18/22 writing) and other extracurriculars I also put a lot of time into. idk if that helps.

Thanks so much!!

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There are many wonderful composition programs out there in the world. Composers need jobs so you’ll find them in every nook and cranny. Look for schools which interest you for other reasons - which are safeties academically and financially - then check out their music departments and email the composition professors. You could also seek programs by looking to see where some of the composers of interest to you are teaching. Or where some of their prize students are teaching. You should have no trouble finding places to apply.

Btw. I would add Bard College and Conservatory to your list - which is a great program for an advanced independent composer who is interested in academics, as well. Check out the SUNY’s, USC, Indiana, Michigan, McGill, Vanderbilt, Shenandoah, Lawrence, Bennington for either larger programs which may admit more undergrads, or schools where you would be a top applicant. But don’t limit yourself to these - think outside the box and look everywhere.

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My main advice here would be to think about the aesthetic of the program, rather than selectivity alone. This is essential at the grad level but still important now. For instance, applying to Curtis and Oberlin would seem to be misguided in some ways- they are so different.

Have you read the Peabody Double Degree dilemma essay? http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html
It’s great for decision making?

As a composer, I think there are some basic decisions to make. Are you applying only to BM programs (conservatory/music school)? Are you auditioning with piano? Do you want a school that requires an instrument for composers? Would you like to spend time mainly with other music students or be integrated in a campus with students studying many things? Do you want access to film opportunities? Do you want a relaxed environment or do you like stress ? : )

Do you want a university with grad school (pros and cons, a school like McGill may be different for undergrads) or a liberal arts place or conservatory with only undergrads?

Bard requires a double degree for students in the conservatory. If you want a double degree, there are many schools to consider.

What are your reasons for choosing those schools? Curious, are you interested in elecroacoustic work? Some of your schools are strong in it (UNT for instance).

Composers can go anywhere. You have the option of doing a BA with a general music major that means 1/4-1/3 classes in music (at Harvard it is 1/2). Or a BM with 2/3 to 3/4 classes in music. For grad school you just need 3 or 4 good pieces played during your latter college years. You can also major in something else for that matter, and continue lessons and performances.

Check out performance opportunities for undergrad composers. Check out teachers and listen to their works. Check out the curriculum. Look at courses. You can pick a school based on location, size, academics and “vibe” and then check out the music department.

SUNY Purchase is a great school. Hartt at U. of Hartford. Ithaca. Lawrence (people love this school). Sarah Lawrence or Bennington would offer a different kind of experience- Sarah Lawrence is right outside of NYC. There are many other schools throughout the country.

Personally, I think you should just go ahead and apply where YOU want to go. Chances are you will get in to a school you like.

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Sent you a private message.

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I feel like I just end up plugging my alma mater on every post, but I’m going to second both of the above posters in their suggestion about Lawrence. I graduated this year (not in composition) but I consistently heard student compositions that blew my mind as a new music afficionado. Lawrence composers seem to regularly get into well-respected grad programs, and there’s a really good culture throughout the conservatory of being into new music. I premiered my friend’s solo piano piece on my senior recital and I got to be part of a premiere for a chamber piece on another composer’s recital. There’s a willingness there for people to play your music that I think would be hard to find elsewhere. They also just split the old theory/composition major now into two separate majors, so that speaks to the active progress the department has been working towards. Lastly, I’ll say that while many other schools do seem to have a certain flavor to their preferred compositional styles, I’ve heard pieces coming from students that run the gambit, which is of course good. So you won’t have to compromise your style like you might at schools that have a strong preference. If anything, there’s a bit of a trend that reflects the New Amsterdam Records “indie classical” subgenre, but it’s not overwhelming.

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PianoDude brings up a really good point, and reminds me: at the undergrad level, the single most important criteria might be diversity in style among student composers. If you can attend concerts or listen to student and professor works, that can be very helpful. I remember being very impressed with NEC in this regard. The student works were very different in style. (The New Amsterdam subgenre might also be called a Brooklyn subgenre, what Alex Ross calls “downtown” . Have you read his book “The Rest is Noise”?)