Help! Music Composition - Questions about Portfolio, Resume, Repertoire

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Hi everyone! I'm a high school senior and my USC and UC apps are all due in about 8 days.</p>

<p>If there are any USC Music Composition students out there, please help me out!</p>

<p>I've been interesting in music composition ever since I was a child. I had 6 years of Piano and 7 years of Violin experience.
My top school is USC and I am required to submit Common App along with other Thornton School of Music supplement materials.</p>

<p>So I've been working on my apps for two months.
What stresses me out the most is that All music composition schools from all colleges require the application to be submitted by November 30th or December 1st.</p>

<p>Apparently, the basic college application is through Common App. Then there are two different places that I must submit my supplement materials into: Slideroom for Resume and Repertoire, and DecisionDesk for My Portfolio.</p>

<p>The Common App is almost complete, and I'm working on these Supplement that were listed on the SlideRoom for USC.
These supplement materials are:
• Resume
• Repertoire</p>

<p>I'm currently working on my Resume, but I have no idea if I'll need a Repertoire as a music composition major. It looks like it's not a required option either. But again I feel that submitting a repertoire will strengthen my application.</p>

<p>So will I need to write a Repertoire at all? And if I do, then what do I include in there? I did play Violin in an outside-of-school orchestra for four years. Do I include the songs and positions that I've played in those songs, or do I include all of my electronic compositions that are available on Youtube?</p>

<p>Anyways, continuing on...</p>

<p>Thornton School of music requires me to submit three compositions and recordings through Decision Desk.
• Scores and Recordings</p>

<p>I've composed three classical music so far, (Violin Duet, Piano, and String Quartet). I've arranged musicians with the music and found a studio room, and plan to have them recorded on Sunday. All of these recordings will, hopefully, be ready in mp3 forms by Monday.</p>

<p>I'm assuming that I will be able to upload the mp3 files and the PDF files of my music. I'm a bit worried that the musicians might complain that my scores are bit unprofessional.</p>

<p>I'm also applying to UCLA and maybe Berkley. Those schools require a "Portfolio".</p>

<p>What IS a portfolio that they require? Is it a folder of Composition scores and Recordings in them? Maybe all I need to do to "submit my portfolio" is really just 'submit all of your pdf scores and mp3 files'? I'm confused with what I'm supposed to do with my "Composition Portfolio".</p>

<hr>

<p>To summarize this entire post, I don't know how to construct my Resume, or the Repertoire. And the "Portfolio" - is it really a portfolio, or is it their way of saying "Turn all of your pdf's and mp3's in"? Are there any USC, UCLA or any other Music Composition students out there who have faced a similar situation in the past out there?</p>

<p>Please help! Any comments made will be great help for me, and definitely will cheer up a worried senior trying to apply to colleges on his own. Thank you all, in advance.</p>

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<p>The repertoire list is often required for composition applicants. It would be a repertoire of major pieces performed on your primary instrument. These would generally be pieces you worked on with your private teacher and performed at recitals - not everything you’ve ever played in an orchestra. If you feel that both piano and violin are equally strong - you could list repertoire for both. Most schools, but not all, will want the composers to perform in some sort of ensemble - often not the most advanced ones at the school, however. This is to give them an idea of your level of playing.</p>

<p>The resume is where you can list the music you’ve written and when and by whom it’s been performed, if it has. It’s also where you would list any special musical experiences - summer programs, competitions and awards, etc. That’s where you’ll say how many years you’ve been studying each instrument and with whom you’ve studied. You can list the ensembles you’ve played with - and if you’ve had a special chair, you can list that there. And, most importantly, that’s where you’ll list all your composition studies. Basically it’s your musical biography.</p>

<p>I’m surprised that you say that UC Berkeley requires a portfolio. When my older son applied there - he only applied to a particular college - and did not need to declare any major. UCLA is completely different, however.</p>

<p>Do know that both USC and UCLA are very competitive for composition and they do not accept that many students. I would recommend that you add some safeties to your list, as you seem to be new to composing. (Or perhaps I’m misunderstanding and it’s just that the three pieces you wish to submit haven’t been performed before - but you’ve been writing music for years?) Please consider adding Bob Cole Conservatory at CSU Long Beach as a high level local option that is slightly less competitive. There are many others, as well, which we could recommend. It’s quite possible to study composition in a general liberal arts program by majoring in music for a BA with an emphasis on composition. Many of those programs are not auditioned based at all.</p>

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<p>Thank you for your reply!</p>

<p>It seems that I do not have much that I can put on my repertoire list or my resume.
I honestly wish I was informed of such things when my high school years first began. I’ve only recently realized that I needed some solid background for my entrance to these schools.
I’ve played piano when I was very young and that’s when I started composing piano pieces on my own. Then I moved to America and things changed quite a bit. I’ve acquired a program called Logic Pro in the beginning of high school year and have been composing music electronically on the program. I’ve created different genres of music, even though they were created electronically. These, around 55 of them, I’ve kept uploading them on Youtube. I’ve only recently wrote three classical pieces for the ‘portfolio’ for the applications, (The participation in the orchestra for four consecutive years and private lesson with my violin teacher have helped me with knowledge about contemporary music), but I haven’t had any experience with my songs being played by any orchestras, nor had private teachers specifically for music composition.</p>

<p>I do understand that USC and UCLA as well as UC Berkley are very competitive. I also plan to apply to CalArts shortly after. I looked into CSULB, thank you for that.</p>

<p>I do want to finish my applications for the listed schools, even though the chances are very slim.</p>

<p>I have a very unprofessional question to ask: When a student applies, would universities evaluate a student depending on his GPA and test scores along with other materials and then consider him for his specific major afterwards?
So if I were to be accepted to USC or UCLA for my GPA and test scores, does that mean I may not be able to take on the desired major due to the lack of solid background that my repertoire and my resume may provide?
Or would I not be accepted to those universities at all, due to the lack of solid resume and repertoire?
In other words, do these resume, repertoire and recordings really affect the admission to the university itself, or to the school/department?</p>

<p>Thank you so much.</p>

4

<p>First of all, your stress comes through in your posts, so I want to say that things are going to work out. It is worthwhile to try to get into a BM music program, but as Spirit Manager said, many students study composition through a regular BA program, majoring in music. There are many ways to achieve your goals and they will be within your reach over the next few years.</p>

<p>I think that everyone does the resume and repertoire a little differently. There is no set format or way to do it. </p>

<p>For composition, my daughter used the resume, not the repertorie, to show her instrumental experience (including district), as well as lessons, classes, awards, performances,summer program etc. This would include work on two instruments, study of composition, theory, and history, and her attendance at a college seminar and conservatory prep (for 2 years). On the resume, she listed works played on classical guitar,but did not put it on her actual repertoire list- she wanted the repertoire to focus on composition.</p>

<p>So her repertoire for applications consisted of a list of compositions, instrumentation, duration, and the pieces that had been performed were starred. Those pieces also had information on who played them and where, and dates. Yes, you can and probably should write something about your YouTube pieces.</p>

<p>She did not apply to any conservatories or colleges that would require an instrumental audition, and many did not allow classical guitar for an audition instrument anyway.</p>

<p>I am so so glad you are having pieces played this weekend. Good luck! This will be your “portfolio,” the scores and CD’s that you have after the recording. Much of the submission is electronic these days. Find out if the schools want that or want hard copies. If hard copies, you need to get the scores bound. A copy place can do that for you with hard covers and plastic ring binding. Make sure you label everything clearly.</p>

<p>Music conservatories generally care ONLY about the music really. But music programs in college and universities will care about your grades and scores, yes. Every school is different. Some schools will admit you to the music major (some, such as conservatories, will have separate composition, others, such as liberal arts colleges, won’t) and at some schools, you just get into the college and then can declare a major sometime in the first two years.</p>

<p>There will be some colleges with excellent composition that will only require a common application, that’s it. Most will have deadlines of Jan. 1 or maybe Jan. 15th. There are often wonderful places to study music, and composers can do well with a BA. Even though they don’t ask for a portfolio, it is very important to send them a supplement on your own, with music resume/repertoire, a CD and score (one is fine, your best, but more is okay too), and letters of recommendation from music teachers. These letters are in addition to the ones on the common app. The supplement would not be as thorough as the conservatory requirements, but should give a hint of what you can bring to their campus!</p>

<p>Please feel free to call any admissions department. They are friendly and will help answer your questions about particular schools.</p>

<p>Above all, remember that there are many different kinds of environments where composers can thrive. You are applying to BM programs at universities, it would seem. You can also apply to free-standing music schools/conservatories, and to colleges/universities without BM programs. I know that the state schools are a more affordable option, but look into the different ways to study composition that are available to you, after you meet the deadline for the ones you have in mind now.</p>

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<p>ps You do NOT need to write for orchestra. Some composers don’t do this at all. But writing at least one or two pieces for multiple instruments is a good idea.</p>

<p>You say that you have written three “classical” pieces for application purposes. I do not have a good feel for what you have submitted on YouTube, but I would advise a call to admissions about what is best to send to the schools. If you have written for different genres that you do not consider “classical,” be careful with what you assume. It may be that those pieces show who you are, musically, and demonstrate originality. </p>

<p>I don’t know enough about what you are doing but can say that “being yourself” is a good idea in general and musically.</p>

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<p>I would recommend that you use in your portfolio at least one of the pieces that you’ve written and uploaded to youtube which really represents who you are as a composer. It is not a requirement that every piece sound like 19th century classical music! (In fact, there’s no requirement that ANY of the pieces sound like 19th century classical.)
I do wonder however how you’ve chosen USC and UCLA as the programs where you wish to study composition. Are you interested in the work of the composition professors? Is their aesthetic the direction you’d like your music to develop towards?</p>

<p>Who are your favorite composers? What is your favorite music? Do you have any particular goals right now as a composer (knowing that will most definitely change as the years go by!) What kind of peers do you want to be surrounded by? If you chatted with them at 2 in the morning what do you want to be talking abut, listening to? It’s quite possible, that after you answer these questions for yourself, you might find there’s a wide range of colleges which would suit your needs at this time - or, conversely, maybe there really are only a select few.</p>

<p>In the Southern California area have you checked out the music program at Univ. of Redlands? The Claremont Colleges? UC Santa Barbara? Univ. of the Pacific (ok more Northern California.) CalArts may be a very good alternative for you - as they are definitely open to less traditionally classical music, and are strong in electronic art music.</p>

<p>As for grades and scores - composers are treated like athletes - they can be accepted with the bare minimum requirements if the department really wants them. However, USC bases its merit money mostly on academics - very little music merit money is given. I don’t know your financial situation and whether cost of the schools will be an issue or whether you’ll qualify for enough financial aid apart from merit.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for your reply comp mom!
I really gained lots of courage after reading your posts.
What I assume as “classical” is Bach, Vivaldi, etc.</p>

<p>My three pieces are: Piano Waltz, String Quartet (very basic. This might sound a bit off-contemporary because of the chord progressions…) and Violin Duet (Bach style).</p>

<p>And I think so far the schools that I’m applying to are only accepting electronic copies.
Another night has passed and I know that I’m meeting up with the musicians tomorrow. Such pressure!</p>

<p>Here’s another big worry in my mind: as much as I’d like to apply to other schools and hope to change major in it after I get in, all of my essays and activities clearly focus on Music and nothing else. I don’t know if I can still use the essays about music composition to get in to a school as an undecided major.</p>

<p>But thank you for your advice! I really appreciate it all the help I can get. They’re like lifelines to me right now.</p>

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<p>Yes, you can use those same essays about music composition. It won’t be a problem at all. However, I highly recommend that you listen to the music of the professors at USC such as Donald Crockett, Andrew Norman, Sean Friar, Ted Hearne, Morten Lauridsen, Frank Ticheli - not a one of them writes in the mode of Vivaldi or Bach - which is historical music and, admittedly, has informed the music written today, but is not of our time.</p>

<p>Also, in terms of changing majors at other schools - for example UC Berkeley - the only degree is a BA in Music and you wouldn’t declare it until Junior year. It is not a degree in music composition - which does not mean you wouldn’t be able to take classes in composition. Same with most universities. It is only schools with a School of Music where you would apply as a freshman with a declared major.</p>

<p>If you’re interested in USC and UCLA because ultimately you’d like to score films or games - those are graduate level programs only. Yes, you might meet budding young filmmakers as undergrads. But they’re at other programs as well. (Which reminds me - also check out Chapman.) Yes, if you graduate from USC you’re automatically offered admission to their (very expensive) one year Film Scoring Certificate program.</p>

<p>If you weren’t looking for a specific music composition major - what kind of schools would interest you? What are your grades and scores like? What kind of financial need do you have? And would you be willing to look outside of Southern California?</p>

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<p>I have an urgent question. Is my acceptance to the university heavily reliant on the supplement requirements? (If the quality of my recordings, for example turned out to be horrible), then would that have a major impact on my chance?</p>

<p>Or are the recordings and resume, repertoire and other things considered afterwards?</p>

10

<p>Here is info I found on the three sites. These schools have different programs and different application procedures. I am not including all details like whether repertoire, resume and/or letters of recommendation are needed. This varies also. Remember you may have other options to study composition, some of which have been suggested here. Please note the due dates!</p>

<p>UCLA/ Herb Alpert School of Music apparently wants 3 scores but doesn’t mention recordings. If you pass prescreening, you have to audition on your instrument or on piano. It is a BA degree, not BM, but a composition concentration is offered. Application period is Nov. 1st- 30th.</p>

<p>USC/Thornton School of Music wants 3 scores and recordings. There is no pre-screen or audition. It is a BM program that offers a concentration in composition. They mention explicitly that pieces that are not “concert music” (meaning classical) can be submitted but should be considered “extra” so in addition to the 3 classical ones. There is no mention of an instrumental audition. (Thornton also has Popular Music.) You do the common app and a supplement. Due date is Dec. 1st and it is a receipt date, not a postmark date.</p>

<p>UC Berkeley does not have a music school and you are admitted to the College of Letters and Science, not the major, for a BA. There seem to be preliminary classes (placement procedure) that determine if you can be a music major and/or your level. The regular application is due 11/30 but the talent supplement is due 12/15. Repertoire and resume are optional, but audio or video files are not (not clear what composers would submit). Performance is a required part of the program.</p>

<p>For admission to these universities, you do have to have adequate academics. From a music standpoint, the scores themselves are most important, I would say. You can let them know the best 3 minutes to listen to on each piece, perhaps. Ask admissions.</p>

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<p>For UCLA the BA is very different from most BA’s. It’s really more like a BM, but with more non music courses required. It used to be if you were not accepted to the music department then you were denied admission to UCLA as a whole for any other major, despite stellar grades and scores. The scores and grades are the minimum required for UC admission.</p>

<p>For USC you need to meet their academic standards for the university but it is the school of music making the ultimate decision based on your portfolio. In the past if they had doubts about a composer they would ask them to come in for an interview. Academic merit money is dependent on your grades and scores.</p>

<p>For Berkeley - you will need to be admitted in the same way as any other student - you need to be a top applicant. I don’t believe that the music supplement will mean much to the admissions department - at least it meant little in the past. Perhaps things have changed.</p>

<p>Are you competitive academically for these schools? If not, please start looking at some alternatives. I think you need to look at alternatives regardless - as for both USC and UCLA if you’re not admitted as a composition major you will be denied, I believe, admission to the university. I’m going to keep repeating myself - you can study music composition at hundreds of different places.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much. Compmom’s post just cleared up 90% of my confusions; I can now focus on which things to work on, and even use that as a checklist to see my progress.</p>

<p>SpiritManager, thank you for the clarification! Now I have a better understanding of how each colleges look into their admissions.</p>

<p>Sorry for the anonymity. Here’s more about myself.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>My UC (10th and 11th) GPA is 3.95, and 9th-11th grade GPA is I think 3.7? It’s not shown on my transcript for some reason. (It’s lower than I expected), well… my freshman year brought it low but I’ve shown constant improvement throughout my high school years, with more A’s and more APs involved every year. Getting All A’s was my goal every year, but some teachers are always more picky than the others, you know?</p></li>
<li><p>My Super score SAT is 1990 and my Highest Score for a single SAT is 1980.</p></li>
<li><p>I’ve received a 780 on a language SAT II. I’m planning on taking a Math II and an ACT on december as well. (But with all the college app dilemma… I don’t know if I’ll have enough time to prepare for them…)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>I was actually looking into two more Private Colleges that I didn’t mention here. Vanderbilt and Northwestern. I’ve heard that they both had good music programs there also. All of these schools that I’m looking into are 100% financial meeting schools, by the way.
I’m pretty sure they require a portfolio as well.</p>

<p>I also have a quick question to ask.
I went to my friend’s house to record one of the three pieces today. (The piano one). The reason why I had to go to my friend’s house is because 1. she has a decent piano, and 2. she has a mic.
I know that I’m supposed to have professional piano player to play it, but I did not have the time nor the money to find one. So after two hours of struggle, I managed to record myself play the piece. However, the quality is bad, and I really don’t think it’s appropriate to send in such an unprofessional piece to the schools.</p>

<p>The idea that I had in mind was that I might just use my keyboard and Logic Pro to record it electronically, and submit it as a “Recording”. Would that be acceptable? It will not sound 100% electronic, since the keyboard registers the velocity, and I won’t be quantizing the notes. Or must it be through an actual piano recording? I’ll have to submit my unprofessional recording if that’s the case, or look desperately for a piano player around me, and somehow expect him to learn the piece in less than a week.</p>

<p>And do you think my Youtube channel would come in handy for Resume or the Repertoire? And if I can include it in my resume/repertoire, would I need to list each song and make a list of 55 songs? </p>

<p>Here is my link to the channel. I need verification on whether it’s appropriate to even mention any of my music, since now that I know that colleges prefer contemporary music. </p>

<p>I guess these were my “Hobbies”…
<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/user/KDanimations[/url]”>http://www.youtube.com/user/KDanimations&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I have so many questions. UCLA and few others schools mention scores that have to do with “20th century styles”. What would be an appropriate example for such music?</p>

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<p>You do not have to have all your pieces played. Are any of them on Finale or Sibelius? Sending the piano piece as a “recording” is fine. It is the score that matters most, anyway.</p>

<p>Maybe you should look up “new music” or “contemporary classical” or “contemporary concert music.” There are problems with what to call music composed recently, and problems in how to describe the aesthetic too. Right now, please don’t worry about this. Just submit the “classical” pieces you have written. Many high school composers write in a traditional style and change and develop over the college years, and grad years too.</p>

<p>The point was, that if you think the YouTube music also reflects who you are musically, you can add it as an extra to show what you are up to.</p>

<p>Do you have any adult help? I believe you may need more information about school options. You are applying to very competitive programs, and one is for a BM, one is for a BA that resembles a BM, and one is for a BA. Are you able to see the information on the websites yourself? (And notice deadlines, okay?!)</p>

<p>Once you have time after submitting to these schools, we can give you info on other schools, other types of schools and programs to consider, with deadlines like Jan. 1. At this point, you might also want to look at CSU Long Beach and consider sending a portfolio there too, before their deadline.</p>

<p>You are focusing on small details, which are important in the applications, but I think there are some big picture issues here too.</p>

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<p>Okay, now I am feeling a little agitated. I listened to some of your YouTube recordings. So now I know that you are very talented. I am assuming your classical pieces are good too, but if originality is demonstrated primarily in the YouTube collection, think about sending a few as “extra” supplements if allowed. (One website says this is fine, you can call admissions at the others.)</p>

<p>Can you explain how that program works? Are you writing scores for these pieces? You said you got started in a music technology course, so perhaps you did not compose these note by note? Here, I am the one who is ignorant. You are short on time, so don’t take time to answer, except to assure me that you had complete creative control over the composing process.</p>

<p>If so, these pieces are very impressive. In fact, I think some of these “songs” are quite sophisticated. You are also incredibly productive. I see 59 total on YouTube. They are each and every one, different. Your diversity of style is striking. That takes personal qualities of courage and openness to exploration.</p>

<p>Do you have a teacher or adult helping you with applications? </p>

<p>The problem, to be honest, is that you don’t know much about the contemporary classical scene or composers (mostly called “new music”) and don’t actually know how good you could be. “Sinister” is actually quite minimalist, one style of new music. Some pieces are more traditionally classical, some are jazzy, some are lyrical pop. I listened to about 10.</p>

<p>I wish I could hear your classical pieces, the ones you are recording. Is your piano piece better than Stormdriver or Memory of Bach? Those are well written and Stormdriver is original. Face your Death is orchestral, with complex piano, and would make a good film score. Love’s Scent, Waiting and Refresher are more jazz or pop (don’t send them unless you want a jazz program). Do you have scores for any of these?</p>

<p>I think you have a lot of potential in original contemporary classical composition but you seem to be composing naturally without a lot of knowledge of the field. This is fine. It is possible that schools will pick up on your talent and potential without you even knowing what it is they are picking up on.</p>

<p>If you don’t have scores for the YouTube pieces, again, it would still be helpful, I think, to submit a few. The problem is, you don’t have anyone to help you choose. I only listened to a small portion. I would suggest, for instance, Stormdriver and Sinister, and a couple more. Not the jazz/pop ones. You can submit these as “extra” in addition to the three “classical” pieces and explain that these are what you do for fun, and that you have 59 of them on YouTube!</p>

<p>I will PM you and maybe I can listen to your recorded pieces, even if after you have done your applicatin. Please remember that schools like pieces to be played by live musicians, but generally only one or two really need to be. So you can submit an electronic version of your piano piece and also some of your YouTube pieces. Scores are important, but if the YouTube ones don’t have them, they are still revealing of your musical ideas and sensibliity.</p>

<p>You are doing Cal Arts too? That is good. And Long Beach. There may be private schools you could apply to too that have good financial aid. Bennington on the east coast, Sarah Lawrence, people here can come up with more. But first, get those applications in to the schools you are applying to now!</p>

<p>You could go in many directions, classical, jazz, pop…I think it is great that you want to do a classical program but Thornton has other areas to go into too. And someday you might like electroacoustic work, or film scoring (USC grad). But start with the classical basics, which is what you are trying to do.</p>

<p>I am impressed and send encouragement and wishes for good luck.</p>

16

<p>ps Just read about Reason, and read part of the manual. So no scores, but still a good addition as an extra, to your applications, and also represents the work you are actually doing, rather than work done for an application. Be aware that you will be able to do similar work in college in music technology, electronic music, electroacoustic music, music recording or production classes. Look at Oberlin’s TIMARA program too.</p>

17

<p>I haven’t listened to your music - but it’s great that Compmom found so much to be excited about. I just want to warn you that your scores and grades are low for UC Berkeley. Usually accepted students have a UC GPA over 4 and higher SAT scores. And, I don’t know that your music will help you at all in admission there. The music program doesn’t particularly sound like something that would interest you, either. Why did you choose UC Berkeley? I know Irvine has jazz and musical theater - why not look into their general music program? Another state school that has an active composition dept is CSU Fresno. I like Compmom’s suggestion of Sarah Lawrence and Bennington. You could also look at Skidmore, and Bard College (not the conservatory.) They all have good music departments which encourage a wide breadth of styles and focus, including electronic. And your grades and scores are more in line with their admission standard. And they all have financial aid.</p>

18

<p>Compmom and SpiritManager, I don’t know how to thank you enough. I really appreciate everything that you do for me- You are an array of light from the skies that I can only look forward to in the midst of all this crazy college application storm.</p>

<p>Somebody said that UC Berkley was strong in music, but I really didn’t know why I was applying to Berkley in the first place. My main goal was either USC or UCLA, and I understand that Berkley is very competitive too. After reading and thinking about your warning, I don’t think I should apply there, now that I come to think of it. I really never had an affection for Berkley, and was only following the words of others around me.</p>

<p>I’ll look into all of the schools and programs that you guys have suggested in the posts!</p>

<p>I mostly use a program called Logic Pro. That’s the program that’s available to me 24/7, which I can use to produce MIDI files and convert them into scores on Finale. I’m taking Music Tech class at school, in which we’re encouraged to use Reason (another program). It’s impossible to create scores for the last two songs that I uploaded on there, but it’s actually possible to create scores for the other ones. I just think it’s not as practical as it should be, since I have no idea how drums/beats are going to show up on the scores, and (you may be surprised) but most of these songs are actually physically impossible to play with human hands. I think I’ll upload the mp3 files of some of the ‘songs’ that you suggested. Can you evaluate which songs you think that they’ll favor? And would Sinister really work? Isn’t it </p>

<p>Unfortunately, I do not have any adult help around me. My parents have no knowledge about colleges or how admissions work. They’re supporting me with the decisions I make - such as looking for a studio room along with four string quartet players, but they have no knowledge about what to really do when it comes to college applications and supplements. (Hence my resume and portfolios are not complete).</p>

<p>I will definitely apply to Long Beach, but does it have any supplements for music composition? I think literally all schools have some kind of supplement (portfolio, resume…) individually and those are what really takes me time. I have no trouble with filling out Common App or UC App since those are pretty basic. It’s the resumes and the repertoire that I still haven’t built yet, and the portfolio which I will be receiving the two of the three recordings today. (I hope nothing goes wrong. And hiring musicians is very expensive too…)</p>

<p>I’m also thinking about just applying to UCSD as an undeclared major. Just a side note. I have fee waivers so I think I should apply to as many UC’s as possible.</p>

<p>All deadlines for me are pretty much set to November 30-December 1st.</p>

<p>When I’m back in four hours after this post has been posted, I might be able to upload the mp3 files of the two of three songs on Youtube.</p>

<p>Again, thank you for your replies!</p>

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<p>If you have fee waivers then you will qualify for substantial financial aid at private colleges which meet need. No need to only apply to public colleges. UCSD is not a good choice for you, sorry. The music department is probably not the direction you’re ready for right now. Maybe when you apply for grad school that might be a choice of interest if your aesthetics change during undergrad.</p>

<p>Sarah Lawrence, Bard, Skidmore, Bennington which we suggested - none of those need portfolios although you can upload an arts supplement to the Common App which can be linked to your youtube files. There are many other such colleges, as well. I highly recommend you consider applying to a school where you will pursue a BA in music where you will learn how to notate music, how to orchestrate, music history, music analysis, theory - everything necessary to become a full-fledged composer - but where you won’t be expected to enter as a classical composer on day one, and maybe won’t be expected to exit as a classical composer either.</p>

<p>If you’re using a computer to convert midi files to scores then you need to be very careful about which scores you submit. USC and UCLA will only be interested in scores which can actually be performed by humans. CalArts, which is more inclined towards electroacoustic music might be more forgiving.</p>

<p>What do you want out of college? What kind of environment are you looking for? What kind of peers do you want to be surrounded with? What kind of music do you want to study and/or listen to 24/7? And what else are you interested in studying in college besides composing, if anything? Again, why are you applying to USC and UCLA? Really? What is it about them which appeals to you?</p>

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<p>I actually think that UCSD might be one of the better choices for you. Aesthetically, and they have a good electronics program (many schools do, but UCSD has a certain kind of diversity within its avant-garde bent). But deadline is Nov. 30th. And academic standards are high.</p>

<p>No portfolio or audition needed:
" The department is not involved in the admissions process. Those interested in applying or transferring to UCSD should contact the UCSD Admissions Office, or call (858) 534-3160 or (858) 534-4831 to speak with an Admissions Counselor about the application process and preliminary evaluation of your transfer credits.</p>

<p>The Department of Music does not require a portfolio or audition to enter as a Music, Music Humanities or Music ICAM major since we also have non-performance based majors. Those students who know that they want to do an emphasis in performance are strongly encouraged to contact the faculty member for their instrument."</p>

<p>CSU Long Beach would be a great place for you. Again, their deadline is Nov. 30th. Auditions are held later on. [Bob</a> Cole Conservatory of Music | California State University, Long Beach](<a href=“http://www.csulb.edu/depts/music/main/admissions.html]Bob”>http://www.csulb.edu/depts/music/main/admissions.html)</p>

<p>Cal Arts wants a portfolio, no audition. Preferred deadline is Dec. 3rd, regular deadline Jan. 3rd.</p>

<p>Other schools mentioned have deadlines Jan. 1 or 15 I think.</p>

<p>Please don’t spend a lot of time on resume and repertoire. They are not that important. Just put your piano and violin lessons, teachers, any programs or courses, list of compositions (or in the case of YouTube, perhaps the username Xylophilia and the fact there are 59).</p>

<p>I think you are all set with portfolio: your two pieces played today (would love to hear and compare to your YouTube ones) and the piano piece via Midi, with scores. Then perhaps a few of your YouTube ones as extra, with explanation of programs used.</p>

<p>Right now, focus only on the schools you want to apply to by Nov. 30th/Dec.1st. I agree leaving out Berkeley is a good idea. I would include Long Beach (I know another student who is a little like you and is happy there). After that, you can consider CalArts and other schools: you will have a little time.</p>

<p>Is your music technology teacher involved at all? Any other teachers? If you are on your own, then just plod through. Hopefully you have your recordings. Don’t spend too much time worrying about the resume and repertoire and understand those are ways admissions can get to know you but it will really be about the music, at music schools, and also about academics at universities to some extent. The resume and repertoire are not worth stressing over.</p>