<p>I am an undergraduate composition major and I am planning to continue studying composition at the graduate level. I just finished classes for this semester and I am expecting a C in music history 1. Will composition programs care much about that when I apply to them? I understand that the portfolio is the most important thing for applicants to grad programs, but I am wondering how much specific course grades will influence the decision as well.</p>
<p>Thank you for your help.</p>
<p>The answer is, “It depends…”. Most good grad school programs will not look at undergrads who have less than a 3.0 GPA. One C won’t exclude you, provided you keep your GPA up!</p>
<p>I know someone who’s about to go to Indiana in Piano Performance who has a D (in a non-music class) on his record. I guess that the academics matter even less for performance, but keep your grades generally up and you’ll be okay.</p>
<p>I don’t really know but since it was a music history class, and you are a composition major, I wonder if you can take it over again-? Some conservatories test and/or interview applicants about music history, even at the undergrad level, at least for composers, so that area of knowledge is rightly seen as valuable. It isn’t so much the grade but what the grade might represent. How is your knowledge of music history? Did the grade reflect trouble with memorizing and identifying pieces with slightly nuanced differences, for instance? Would you be able to demonstrate knowledge when you apply? Overall, I would think it would be a good idea to look into retaking, but others may have other suggestions.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say that academics count even less for performance. My D applied for her Masters Degree in performance at NYU, McGill, University of Toronto and University of Vancouver and they had to accept her academically before accepting her for performance. Not a problem as she has an overall GPA of 3.98 but she told flat out at auditions that she needed to be acepted for academics as well as performance. In your case I agree with Mezzo’sMama and compmom, hopefully your overall GPA is higher in which case the C may not affect you and if possible take the course over.
Good luck</p>