<p>I'm really interested in composition particularly film scoring, but I've only been doing it at home on Finale by myself. But how can a I really improve in composition? Are there summer programs or some sort of lessons? Also, would it be helpful to be good at piano? I'm proficient, but there's a lot I could still learn and work on. (I'm a sophomore by the way and hoping to major in some branch of music in college.)</p>
<p>First thing I would recommend is to find a private teacher, or a composition class. If you live anywhere near a university or a music conservatory - I’m sure they could refer you to a good teacher in the area. Music conservatories often offer a Saturday preparatory class that includes music theory & composition. You may have to drive an hour or more if there is nothing in your immediate area - but once or twice a month should be okay for now - and it will be worth the travel.</p>
<p>There are definitely summer programs for composition. If you search the Music Major Forum for info on summer programs you will find quite a bit of information - from the very selective, to the more inclusive. One program which Compmom always recommends, for all levels of composers is The Walden School - which is a five week summer program. Everyone I know who has attended has found it life changing. [Summer</a> Music Camp and Summer Music Festival: The Walden School](<a href=“http://www.waldenschool.org/index.asp]Summer”>http://www.waldenschool.org/index.asp) It’s expensive but they, like other summer programs, do offer financial assistance.</p>
<p>Then I always recommend listening - listen to everything you can, live concerts, as well as recordings. If you’ve never heard Q2 on WQXR it’s a great internet streaming radio station of new music and will expose you a wide range of what’s being composed currently. [url=<a href=“http://www.wqxr.org/]Home”>http://www.wqxr.org/]Home</a> - WQXR<a href=“Click%20on%20the%20Q2%20button.”>/url</a> There are other internet radio stations, as well, which can expose you to music you might never discover all on your own.</p>
<p>There are books you can read on composition, orchestration, harmony etc. An amazon search will turn up a bunch. My son really liked as a first book Rimsky Korsakov’s Principles of Orchestration. There are a number of books about scoring for films, as well.</p>
<p>If you really really live somewhere without a composer within any approachable distance - it is possible to take composition lessons via Skype with professors from Extension or Preparatory programs at Conservatories or Schools of Music throughout the country.</p>
<p>Once you start trying to make things happen for yourself, you’ll be surprised at all the opportunities out there.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the tips! I live in a pretty big metropolitan area with some good music schools, so there should be some good teachers and classes around here.</p>
<p>Spirit Manager answered completely. I just want to add, in response to your question, that piano is important in theory classes, but if you are “proficient” then you should be fine. (Working on improving is of course always a good thing.) Are you writing for the piano mainly? Do you play your own pieces? If the answer is “yes” to both of these questions, then your piano playing is a nice advantage right now.</p>
<p>As you develop, or perhaps already, you may write for several instruments, and you do not have to play the instrument/s that you compose for. In fact, you will want to start finding good musicians to play your compositions before the end of high school, for your portfolio. You have plenty of time for that. Often musicians will even volunteer or play for low fees for high school composers.</p>
<p>One advantage to being in a conservatory prep program, or a summer program, is that excellent musicians are usually provided to composers, and you end up with a CD of your work.</p>
<p>One more thing, tick. Look for opportunities to have your work played, eg by your school’s orchestra, local jazz band, etc. Make good recordings each time so that you will have a strong portfolio when the time comes. Also check with media arts teachers/students at your hs to see if you can offer to score their work or look to connect with indie filmmakers in the area. They always need rights-free music and that way you get title credits. My son ended up producing a 12-week psa series for his school when a sophomore (through a media arts class but also voluntary on his own time) in order to have a chance to score some work (he also enjoys writing scripts, so in his case, it was double benefit to do so). </p>
<p>Also, check with you local PTAs to see if they participate in Reflections art program – there is a music comp category that can take you to regional and national award levels – not necessarily an advantage in itself except that local (then regional and national) judges in the field are hearing your work. That’s a small sample, but look for industry competitions in your area too in order to get your work out there.</p>
<p>Another thing that may help prepare you if you’re interested in combining your skills with the sequencing and production aspects found in film and video game scoring is to see if your local college offers computer music composition where you can work in logic, protools, etc. If so, you can make an education plan with your school and dual enroll.
(my son did that and it really opened up his capability to self-produce finished works for his portfolio.)</p>
<p>One last idea – if your serious about scoring, check out the GSA organization…you will quickly learn that composers who are also proficient at c++ programming are worth their weight in gold. Good luck on your quest!</p>
<p>@Compmom- I haven’t done much composing with piano other than working out some melodies for other instruments. I’ve mostly been writing for brass quintets (I’m most familiar with the instruments) and a trio of a tenor sax, trombone, and trumpet (weird, but I just love the sounds of them together), but also some for full orchestras.</p>
<p>@kmcmom13- Thanks for the tips! I’ll look into that. I just saw the poster for the reflections contest thing today actually and was thinking about getting something ready for that. I don’t know what the theme is for this year though.</p>
<p>A extra questions-</p>
<ol>
<li>Does anyone know of any summer music programs with composition programs relatively nearby Atlanta, GA? The closest I’ve manage to find is Oberlin.</li>
<li>Can anyone recommend a good teacher/program near Atlanta for composition? I haven’t had much luck.</li>
</ol>
<p>You might want to check out Brevard in North Carolina.
[BMC</a> : Study At Brevard](<a href=“http://www.brevardmusic.org/institute/study/]BMC”>http://www.brevardmusic.org/institute/study/)</p>
<p>I looked up “Georgia conservatory music” and got this:
<a href=“http://www.bridgetomusic.com/georgia-music-schools.php[/url]”>http://www.bridgetomusic.com/georgia-music-schools.php</a></p>
<p>You might be able to find a teacher through one of these schools. I will tell you that it might take a few phone calls, and sometimes the best teacher is found by calling a different teacher who is, say, too busy, but recommends someone else.</p>
<p>For summer, a lot of the programs are residential, so proximity to Atlanta might not matter. Yellow Barn, Walden School (NH), BUTI (Tanglewood Institute). Not sure of any that relate to film scoring, though I know Walden has had a class in that.</p>
<p>I believe berklee in Boston offers summer workshops in film scoring. University of Michigan offers mpulse each summer, which is a residential program. Interlochen and blue lake, both in Michigan, have summer programs as well. I realize none of these are near ga, but some of the programs offer partial scholarships to offset cost, so I wanted to let you know ;)</p>
<p>Well you sound like you have some pretty advanced experience in composing. Who is playing your pieces, or are they on Finale? It would definitely be great to have them played by good musicians if you can. Good luck :)</p>
<p>I’ve had some chamber groups at my school play a few of my pieces (which was incredible) and the rest are just on Finale.</p>
<p>And thanks for the suggestions!</p>
<p>Great advice. I’d agree that superlative piano skills aren’t a requirement, but I think as a composer you will never regret time you spent getting better at the piano. It’s extremely helpful.</p>
<p>Be aware there are some colleges that expect and even require composition majors to play piano. ASK when you are investigating potential colleges. We didn’t, and we believe my son did not get accepted into one composition program because he didn’t play piano, even though it was never listed as a requirement. </p>
<p>Definitely try to have some music recorded by actual musicians, and also it is a good idea for you to have a piece or two that you have scored longhand and not just in Finale. These do not have to be long or complex, but many colleges want to see that you are not doing everything on a computer.</p>