<p>I'm a Junior in High School and I really want to go to a program for composition this summer, especially since it's my last chance to get an experience like that before I audition for college. The hard part is that I really have no money to spend on a summer program. I'm really interested in UNCSA's program because "Summer composition students will enjoy a variety of projects: creating music for film, working with a choreographer to create music for dance, and composing music for the concert stage." I really would love the opportunity to compose for dance and composing for film is something I would like to explore. I emailed the teacher asking about recording because it says students will learn about recording, but I'm not sure if we get recording(s) of music. Anyways, UNCSA says on their website that they have limited funds for scholarships. They do however, direct you to a foundation that gives scholarships for fine arts programs, but they don't offer scholarships for composers as far as I see. Which really makes no sense because it's supposed to support the creation of art, but instead of supporting creators of music they only support people who perform it. So because of that I'm looking for either scholarships, other camps with more scholarships\financial aid, or anything else that could help make a summer program affordable.</p>
<p>Also, getting a job isn't feasible for the next couple of months because I'm just getting back into public school after doing home school and school at a hospital for the past several months and I need to make sure I can adjust to that before I do anything else. The only exceptions would be a job that is strictly music based or has extremely flexible hours. I've tried doing lessons, but I couldn't get any students despite volunteering at several middle schools and posting on several service provider sites(Craig's list, thumbtack, ect).</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that I will be submitting pieces to several competitions, most of which have a cash or scholarship prize for the selected winner(s). I don’t want to rely on the chance of me winning for money though.</p>
<p>If you win an Ascap Morton Gould award there are scholarships connected to it at many of the summer music programs you’re applying to. You won’t know until after you’re accepted what kind of financial or merit aid you’ll be offered - so I recommend applying to a number of programs - just as you will next fall for undergrad. Atlantic & Aspen also have scholarship funds. And California Summer Music.</p>
<p>Walden School gave my daughter an ASCAP scholarship and she hadn’t entered or won an ACAP Morton Gould.</p>
<p>If you are interested in Walden, apply early so the funds are still available though. Six week program, students produce a substantial work for a festival at the end.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. I will be applying to Walden as soon as the application materials arrive, thanks for the reminder. I will be submitting a piece to ASCAP Morton Gould. Atlantic, Aspen and CSM all look like good programs and I will have to talk to my parents to reconsider which programs to apply to. I would apply to all of them but I can’t afford to pay six or seven hundred dollars in app fees. Thanks for you help. </p>
<p>Not sure if Atlantic or Aspen would be good for high school age: there are no age limits, but more established composers tend to apply. Up to you and depends on your portfolio. Walden, BUTI, and Yellow Barn are great choices, also check out Brevard and New York Summer Music Festival. I think you are smart to choose just a few to apply to to limit application costs. Good luck!</p>
<p>I agree that if you’re limiting apps you might drop Aspen as its a long shot. Atlantic does tend to have mostly older students, as well, but I think there are a few high schoolers. I know CSM has scholarships. And a wide age range.
@compmom good to know that the ASCAP camp fellowships are not limited to prize winners. I wasn’t sure how they worked. </p>
<p>I would also check with UNCSA about that scholarship page. I cannot find it on their site, but I have noticed that often composers get left off of lists (for auditions, for instance) when the info does, in fact, apply to them.</p>
<p>The UNCSA is geared to beginning composers, it would see, though it will individualize the program for more advanced students. It also mentions using “digital technology,” which could certainly apply to composing for film and dance. But that is a different kind of program than, say, a classical/acoustic composition program like Yellow Barn.</p>
<p>Walden and Oberlin have some electronic work. If that is your main interest, you might want to check out that aspect of each program. Some feel that you should do foundational work first (and UNCSA does offer some theory, harmony and counterpoint and so on).</p>
<p>Do you compose now using Garage Band, Cakewalk or Noteflight? Do you use ProTools? Or do you use manuscript paper and pencil:) It is important to find a program that fits, though I know money is a main factor too, as it was for us.</p>
<p>My interest in UNCSA was that it allowed my to do several things. I use a program called Mixcraft Pro, similar to Garage Band, but I primarily use manuscript paper and pencil (then later Finale). My parents and I talked about it and we are going to limit the applications to Walden, UNCSA, Yellow Barn, and BUTI. Thanks for all the help everyone!</p>