<p>In our experience, advice from professors and composition mentors tended toward a BA rather than BM, at least for the undergrad level. We did not necessarily agree with this, but in hindsight, it was good advice for our particular child. Some composers don’t even major in music. Universities/colleges often have a general music major with a composition strand or composition courses, so “majoring or minoring in composition” is not an option. However, selecting certain courses and working in tutorials or seminars can add up to the same thing.</p>
<p>Over the long term, composers benefit from studying literature, art, history, classics, anthropolog- many subjects that inform the work of a lifetime. My own daughter did this by finding a school in which 50% of her studies would be music classes but there were opportunities to explore other subjects: she particularly liked to study modernism across the arts. Spirit Manager’s son achieved both depth and breadth by doing a double degree, which involved 5 years and even fuller study of both music and another subject. Like I said, there are many paths.</p>
<p>I am still curious about your daughter’s computer program. Did she write a full orchestral score on a notation software? If so, feel free to PM me and I would love to listen to it. From what you said previously it sounded like she had little composition experience, but writing an orchestral score of any length is quite advanced.</p>
<p>My D is definitely a beginner, who wants to seriously learn the art of composing. She is using Sibelius now to write music, but she used a free online program before. I don’t think writing orchestral score in a software will qualify my D as advance. She said it herself, that she has so much to learn. I can ask her for a copy of her music, but I doubt she will give it to me though. She is not trained in writing music, and she wants to get that training. Besides band, the only other music class she took was music theory in 10th grade, and that got her to think about studying composition in college. Writing music right now is still a hobby. It is something that came natural for her, and also something she consider as fun (she said that writing in minor keys are more fun than writing in happy major keys).</p>
<p>I think that you are both right, and that she should just not worry about getting into a music composition program right now. I know that she will be busy enough with her neuroscience major, and she will have to put in a lot of extra effort if she wants to double major/minor in composition. But first thing is first, she needs to get in to college. And yes, it was Juilliard who was asking for original pieces in different “genres”. They were asking something about it in the Columbia application.</p>
<p>@jazzpianodad thank you for the helpful information. What was your son’s major? How easy was it for him to take composition courses in undergrad? I don’t even know if my D will get in. I guess, we will find out soon. </p>
<p>Good luck to her! (And if she wants to learn about the field of composition these days, including contemporary classical or “new music”, she might want to read Alex Ross’ book “The Rest is Noise.”)</p>
<p>Take a closer look at the LACs that have strong neuroscience and music. Hamilton, Williams and Vassar come to mind. Also keep Brandeis on the list. At Hamilton and Vassar, there are only a few distribution requirements so she can double major easily. I think this approach will allow her flexibility to concentrate in either area as her interests develop. Also, she may find that one semester, she is more focused on the science and the next semester on the music. </p>
<p>Thank you @chemusic !
We looked at Vassar before, but my D did not add it to her list. I will check on Hamilton and Williams. If they offer generous merit aid, I will definitely tell my D to check them out. Brandeis is definitely on our list. </p>
<p>Brandeis, Hamilton, Vassar, and Williams really don’t give merit aid…at least not in the present environment. Are you looking at either out of date information or something unreliable? UConn offers the Nutmeg award, which is merit based (sorry if you already addressed this, I haven’t read this whole thread). Yale and Tufts have great programs, also not merit-based aid offerings.</p>
<p>My husband said he is willing to make some sacrifices to pay for Columbia (applied ED) and MIT (RD). My D does not really want to apply to another reach school like Yale. Several people suggested Tufts, but it is a bit farther than where she wants to be. D is preparing her applications to other schools right now. Uconn is one of her safety. Brandeis is still in her list, but if she does not get a good merit aid, she will probably not go there. I told my D that I am willing to invest money to pay for her college application, if that will mean she can get a choice of good merit aid package later. </p>
<p>Tufts is no further from where you are then Brandeis or MIT. Tufts is in the greater Boston metropolitan area and is easily accessible via the MBTA transportation system. Getting there is probably easier than getting to MIT just because of how traffic is in the area. Personally from what I have seen Tufts is unusual because although it is a top university with some excellent faculty it is also more focused on undergraduate education than most major universities </p>
<p>Clark U. in Worcester gives merit aid, has a great psychology program, and a great music dept. The hope for merit aid really complicates a search.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! We are planning on visiting schools around Boston area, and I will see if we can schedule a visit with Tufts. I am not familiar with Clark but I can check it out. </p>
<p>Pic’k up a copy of Colleges that Change LIves by Loren Pope- or check the website. Clark is in there. I don’t know if Tufts gives merit aid but it’s a great, and friendly, music dept, with excellent sciences.(As I probably said already!)</p>
<p>She needs to look at the University of Rochester which offers one of the best neuroscience programs in the U.S. as well as a strong music department and ensemble playing opportunity on the University of Rochester campus. Students are eligible to study their instrument (my daughter was a vocal student) once they pass an audition with an Eastman doctoral student and must pass annual juries to continue. Credit is given for lessons. Students can take elective classes on the Eastman campus and vice versa. There is a bus back and forth between the two campuses. My daughter had friends she knew from BUTI (summer Tanglewood High School program) that took music history electives at the River Campus. Students generally cannot perform in the Eastman ensembles but sometimes they perform together and there are outstanding musical performances that one can attend with student ticket prices at the Eastman Theatre.</p>
<p>Another thought is that musical competition is extremely competitive and one needs to be a proficient musician on one’s instrument as well as knowledgeable about music theory. Back in the day when my d auditioned for Oberlin and she had to wait for the music theory exam part of the audition, there was a composition student auditioning on the piano who was amazing. Even more amazing was that he had flown to NY from Venezuela to audition. For the elite programs, your competition is not just the town next door. It is international competition and international students who can pay full freight are highly sought after. My d was rejected from the Oberlin Conservatory and waitlisted at the college itself.</p>
<p>Older d went to Brandeis but not for music although the music program has always been highly regarded along with their outstanding science programs.</p>
<p>Thanks @bookmama22 ! We looked at University of Rochester and D seems to like what she had read so far. We need to look at Oberlin, but D does not really want to go to a conservatory. </p>
<p>No need to be in the conservatory at Oberlin to study music there. They offer music through the college - and one can double major (not double degree.)</p>