Okay, so as i said i am a sophmore in highschool but i want to go ahead and start looking at colleges so that i know which one i want to go to when i graduate. I want to compose music so i was wondering if anyone could help me out with any colleges that they know of with a good Music Composition program. It would help me out alot if anyone would like to help. Thank you.
geez, OP, show a little initiative. or at least google your question: “best music programs colleges”
Then come back with specific questions.
A few random points I can think of offhand 1) I agree with the comment above. This forum is not to do the initial research for you. 2) sophomore year is too early to look for specific colleges – until you have certain academic stats it is hard to point to specific colleges that would fit 3) some music programs require auditions so you need to see how you do on those 4) you need to talk to your parents about any constraints they have (financial, geographic, etc) 5) you may even change your mind about what you want to study in the next two years 6) you need to consider what you will do after college with a degree in music composition 7) you need to consider if you want a college with a good music program or a conservatory environment.
You can start by going to the College Board site and searching for colleges by region or state. Then add whatever other parameters you want: major, cost, private or public, etc. Once you find schools that have the major you want, visit their websites to learn more.
When I was a sophomore I was convinced I wanted to go to law school, but my desires have completely changed since then. Don’t pin yourself down right now.
If you have the ability, a weeklong or two-week summer music program at a college can really be helpful. You can talk with other students about where they are looking, and with professors about their experiences. And it is a great introduction to college life. Some scholarships are available, but you have to start looking now if that is the type of thing you would like to do.
As the posters above have noted, do some research online. Look at programs at the large universities, and at the conservatories such as Oberlin and Lawrence. Once you have a little better idea of what you are looking for, by all means post again.
I disagree that sophomore year is too soon to start the search. In sophomore year my son was already visiting some of his top picks. Knowing the schools he was aiming for and the requirements (portfolio) for admission helped him develop a portfolio that proved successful.
Band2017, figuring out a composition program can be like drinking water from a firehose. But if you tell us the following, we can give you and idea of where to start looking:
- What state are you in and can your parents afford Out of State study?
- What’s your principal instrument
- Do you currently have private composition lessons (if not, do this NOW)
- What kind of composing interests you…eg band, orchestra, electronic, experimental, pop/contemporary (or all of the above
- What are your grades like…have you taken the PSAT?
- Have you done any summer music camps, and any specific to composition?
- Do you have/have you used score software like Finale or Seibelius?
Some composition depts at school do not require a portfolio or audition, but many top programs that confer a BMus do. There are many more, but a few schools to start reading up on might be Unjversity of Michigan school of music, Indianna Jacobs school of music, Oberlin college. ((Those are programs that composition students I happen to know were interested in that are very competitive, but there are many many more with which I’m slightly less familiar – I’m in the Midwest, so those just happen to be a few of the better known programs here.)
Given your CC name, I’m assuming that you’re involved in band. If you haven’t already, and you’re interested in writing for band, see if your conductor will allow your band to perform a piece you’ve written for them next year and make a recording of it.
Often, good state B&A associations will also host composition competitions, and the winning compositions are played at their annual forum. See if same is available in your state.
Hope that gives you somewhere to start. I don’t think its too soon to be looking at schools to have the best options available as a senior. Audition/portfolio selection can be a crap shoot, so don’t just fall in love with ONE program…be prepared to at least apply to six or eight.
Best wishes on your journey, and do share specifics about your background if you’d like more info.
First, welcome and it is great that you came on this forum for preliminary help.
It is not too early for you to look into composition schools. Many students come on here in junior or even senior year asking about schools, or about how to get into schools, and it is often too late to do the work needed, take enough lessons, or do summer programs.
For composition, the kinds of general searches being suggested for colleges and majors will not really be adequate.
So first, I just have to ask: you say you “want to compose.” Does this mean you have not started yet and expect to go to school to learn how?" If so, it is important to realize that for composition programs, many students have been doing composing (usually classical), studying with a teacher, having pieces played and recorded, and have a portfolio of 3 or 4 pieces. The pieces may be orchestral, or may be for smaller ensemble, and may be 10-20 minutes long. Some students are into jazz, or electronic work, and there are programs for more “popular” music, so it does depend on what you want to do.
Kmcmom asked some great questions. I will add a few things. Here is an essay on different ways to study music that we often post: http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html
If you want to compose at the college level, there are decisions to be made, though you can apply to all options and decide in late senior year. You can apply to a conservatory or music school for a BM in composition. That will mean 23/-3/4 of your classes will be in music and you will specialize in composition. This is possible in freestanding conservatories (Julliard, New England Conservatory, Manhattan, others), or at conservatories/music schools that are part of a university or college (Oberlin Conservatory, Lawrence, Ithaca, Peabody, Indiana, BU, SUNY Purchase, other state schools and so on). Some conservatories want a composer to audition on an instrument, some don’t. All will want a portfolio of 3-4 pieces, with at least most of them recorded versus MIDI. You need to be accepted to the university/college as well as the music program.
You an also study composition as part of a music major at a college or university for a BA program, which will usually be more like 1/4-1/3 music classes as well as general education requirements in liberal arts. Some BA programs have a composition specialization, some have a general music major with theory, music history, ethnomusicology, composition and technology. Some BA programs do have a performance component, many don’t, and very often there is no audition or even portfolio required (though you can submit recordings in an arts supplement to the regular application).
BA programs for music that include composition are available at countless schools. You can pick schools like anyone else based on location, size and “vibe” and get to work once there. Just read websites to see what the music department emphasis is. Some are big on world music, some are big on technology, some are rigorous classical curricula, some have rock and folk and jazz, etc.
Other options for study are double major, double degree or attending a school for some other major and composing on the side, taking some music classes and so on.
I hope this helps. If you “want to compose”, whether you have done any composing or not, kmcmom is right in that getting a teacher is very important, as is getting music played. The state music teachers association often has a competition that is accessible for relative beginners. Summer programs are not always affiliated with schools but sometimes are. Oberlin has one, yes, but also BUTI, Yellow Barn, NYSMF, Brevard, and Walden are all great programs.
Good luck and please feel welcome to come back with more questions if you need to.