<p>Hey, i was just wondering if anyone knows what exactly an interview for a composition major will be like? and how much the interview is going to matter in getting accepted? I'm completely clueless on how to prepare for an interview like this; i've done interviews before, but nothing music-related. CCM has already reviewed my composition portfolio and invited me for an interview, but does this mean that they will not be making further cuts based on the quality of the compositions?</p>
<p>I would also like to know. Just for general auditions, though. I’ve applied to Michigan, Peabody, Eastman and NEC. I have an interview for Michigan. Haven’t heard back from the others yet.</p>
<p>For the comp interview, they’re most likely to ask questions regarding your influences, favorite composers (past & present) and maybe a why. Perhaps a bit of your training experience background, and quite possibly a bit bout your submitted materials. They want to get an idea of your background, direction, basically what makes you tick as a composer, and whether you’d mesh within the body of the current comp department.</p>
<p>No direct answers here, but probably worth a read for comp applicants
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/419313-expectations-composition-applicants.html?highlight=composition[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/419313-expectations-composition-applicants.html?highlight=composition</a></p>
<p>I tried a title search on your question, and found nothing specific. You may want to look for past posts by compmom, compclub, Hunt, Mahler Snob, WindCloudUltra.</p>
<p>For the general/performance interview if there is one, maybe a bit of your training experiences, current pieces you’ve recently worked on, “why performance” and as MezzoMom said here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/845044-preparing-music-education-interview.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/845044-preparing-music-education-interview.html</a> the ubiquitous “where do you see yourself in five or ten years”.</p>
<p>(I figured I’d throw the music ed interview thread in here as it all is pertinent, and might help others down the road to have this in one place.)</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I don’t now about CCM, but when our daughter did composition interviews, they varied from a cozy chat with one professor, to appearing before a panel (after writing a piece overnight), to grueling interview with each of 4 composition teachers, to a very good conservatory that did no interview at all (but asked for 4 scores and CD’s).</p>
<p>Most played some part of a submitted piece or pieces, ask you to talk about it, and then asked questions. Then, as violadad said, about what composers had influenced you, what your process of composing is, and so on. My daughter ended up talking about notation techniques and vertical versus horizontal development in her scores. They also talk about music history, indirectly or directly.</p>
<p>She did not prepare or have any idea what she would need to talk about, in advance.</p>
<p>Three our of 4 of her schools also had a long music theory exam. So she had studied a little for that. One had an overnight composition assignment: that year it was to compose something using specific methods described that were used by Messiaen, or Carter.</p>
<p>She says they were not testing her music, per se, since they had already heard it, but instead perhaps an applicant’s ability to grown and benefit from the school.</p>
<p>She brought extra copies of each of her scores, to the interview, just in case, but never had to use them. At one school, she was asked to bring two scores and CD’s in addition to the two already submitted.</p>
<p>I think our daughter called the schools to get more information about what was involved at each school. You could just call CCM. They might have the chummy chat version which would be nice. Then you can avoid stressing unnecessarily. </p>
<p>So, overall think about how you write your music, what influences you, what your goals are, that kind of thing. But many schools are looking for students who have their “own voice,” which means that just “being yourself” is probably a really helpful thing … </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>My son found the interviews to be great fun. What young composer doesn’t want to talk about their music with other composers?</p>
<p>One thing I remember he said about his Michigan interview (which was a set of two separate panels each with three composition professors) was that one professor asked him about something he had written in the academic admission essay to the university and my son, by that time, could barely remember what he had written!</p>
<p>Thank you violadad, compmom and SpiritManager. I truly appreciate all of the help you offer on this forum. :)</p>
<p>Thank you SOOO much!!! Now i feel a little bit less clueless about how to prepare! =]
Oh and another question…do most schools consider the music theory test scores when deciding admittance to the program? I personally would feel better if they did so if i completely screw up the interview maybe their’s still hope? =) Anyways thanks again for all your feedback!</p>
<p>The theory tests, aural skills and piano/keyboard tests are used for first course sequence level placement purposes, and are typically not a factor in undergrad admissions. If theoretically all things are equal between two candidates, the theory tests MAY come into play, but how the gods of admissions at any specific institution will weigh them is anybody’s guess.</p>
<p>Don’t sweat the interview. Just be yourself. </p>
<p>Again, good luck.</p>
<p>We also heard that the theory tests were for placement, but have no idea how they were really used in each school. It’s great if that is a strong point for you!</p>
<p>Totally agree with the advice to relax and enjoy. The people involved as interviewers were overall very nice, and the conversations were interesting without being too stressful :)</p>
<p>Again, you can call admissions and ask what the interview is like: meaning, one person or panel, one interview or 3-4, where it takes place ( private office or larger space), etc. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Also consider, that if you have not had a personal interview or extensive correspondence with any of the composers at the institution previously, the formal admission interview may be the only way that you have to evaluate them - to find out whether you think you would like to work with them for the next four (or five) years. The interview process will work both ways. You’re all trying to find the truth as to whether that program will be a good fit for you.</p>
<p>I agree with the advice to be yourself…except…you might want to consider that flexibility and teachability might be traits the interviewers are looking for. So you might want to avoid saying that anything is “worthless” or “totally outdated,” etc. And note that the answer to any question that begins with “would you be open to…” should, if at all possible, be “yes.”</p>
<p>One question that came up in a one-on-one interview for our daughter, occurred while they were looking at and critiquing a score. The interviewer asked if she would consider such and such a change. Our daughter said yes, she would consider it, that it was an interesting idea. I have no idea if there was a “right” answer, but she answered according to her personality. If she had said, “no, I feel strongly about what I wrote,” perhaps that would have been an impressive answer, but that is not how she felt, so that is not what she said. The interviewer complimented her on her strong sense of self, so perhaps that is the important thing. Not sure…</p>
<p>Really good point about it being a two-way evaluation, and it even helps w/nerves, to have that attitude.</p>