Majoring in electroacoustic music composition

Hi everyone.

I am a (non-musical) parent of a high school junior with a strong interest in applying to schools of music to study composition/creation of electronic or electroacoustic music. I have read some of the older threads on this topic, which were very helpful, and thought I would reach out to see if anyone has additional information or advice to share.

My child’s primary passion is music; this is what all his time outside of school is spent doing (school-sponsored extracurricular music activities as well as other activities). He is a reasonably accomplished instrumentalist, with multiple years of participation in things like all-state band with high chair placement, local youth symphony (competitive selection process), and selection for state summer high school honors program. He has also participated in one competitive summer institute, etc. (due to the pandemic, his plans for summer 2020 were canceled). During high school he has developed a passion for electroacoustic music composition using a digital audio workstation. He is largely self-taught, and publishes his works online. He has done well in a couple of state composition competitions, but doesn’t have formal composition training, and at this point he does not have any works written in traditional score format.

He has an unweighted GPA of 3.9, will have more than 10 APs by graduation, was able to take SAT once, >1500. He goes to a very competitive, large public high school, and class rank is ok but not top 10 percent.

We are trying to set realistic expectations and make sure that he applies to some schools that he has a good chance of being accepted to, recognizing the challenging and unpredictable times we are in. We are also encouraging him to apply to liberal arts colleges that offer a BA in music instead of focusing on applying to a BM program at a music school (to get a broad foundation), refine his area of interest during college, and then apply to graduate programs. Although his instrument performance skills may be acceptable for some schools of music, without the traditional composition portfolio I am not sure he’d be competitive for the programs he has expressed interest in at this point.

If anyone has advice on what direction might make the most sense, given his interest in electroacoustic (but not traditional) composition and admissions portfolio requirements, or suggestions about colleges or universities that would be good to consider, I would appreciate it!

Thank you.

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There is a lot of confusion about terminology in this field. Are you sure he is doing “electroacoustic” composition? This is Wikipedia but a pretty good source:
Electroacoustic music - Wikipedia. I can’t be sure from your description.

Generally “electroacoustic” refers to the manipulation of acoustic sounds that are manipulated (not necessarily instrumental, could be nature sounds, or recorded sounds of any kind, like things from the hardware store). Look up “acousmatic” as well.

Musique concrete was French and manipulated acoustic sound (this might include acousmatic), the German sound was created electronically.

There are programs in music production, studio production and so on (I can send you a a list, all with different terminology). They tend to have instrumental auditions and require a portfolio, which he could do.

Another field includes writing for electronic instrument realized in daws.

A BA program might work. He may not need to make scores for electroacoustic (music concrete) or acousmatic styles. But he might want to get a foundation in notation, and even learn about text and graphic scores which might suit his interests.

He might want to look at programs in my list and see what fits. For instance, Oberlin’s TIMARA. Oberlin also has a Musical Studies BA which would give him access to conservatory resources. But my list is long- I’ll send it. Peabody has a new program that might interest.

Most music programs and majors in a BA degree will include “electronic music” or “music technology.” And many composers, including traditional composers, use electronics.

Sorry to be more confusing. Sending PM.

I will PM you.

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I agree with @compmom that its unclear if he just wants to write music using electronic tools - or he wants to write what we in the New Music world think of as electronic music.

If electronic music, TIMARA at Oberlin is definitely a good place to consider. And, I’m a huge Bard music department proponent. They have an electronic music concentration: Electronic Music at Bard (Their description: “The curriculum is designed to be open to a wide variety of aesthetic interests and interdisciplinary pursuits. Course topics include music composition, sound art, coding/programming, circuit design, recording/audio production, improvisation, and electronic music performance, among many others.”)

Brown has a good program, too, which @compmom knows more about.

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@compmom could I have your list of musical terminology as well? We seem to be in similar boat in that I am non musical mom trying to help my daughter through researching music technology/audio engineering degrees. She is only a rising sophomore so we have time. You seem like a person with much great info!

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Will do.

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@compmom could I trouble you for this list as well? I am yet another non-musical mother of a son seeking a music technology/sound recording/audio engineering collegiate program. Thanks , in advance , for your help.

sure I will PM you

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Hi all,

Checking in about a year after my original post, now that it is decision time for my son. Thanks to all who provided such helpful input last year, particularly @compmom.

Among his acceptances, DS22 has largely narrowed it down to two programs—UMich Performing Arts Technology BFA and Oberlin TIMARA (BM; dual degree program with the College). Both seem to be great programs, terrific faculty, but different school environments. For example, I think he is a little intimidated by the sheer size of UMich, and I am wondering about the level of support for individual students (possibly better at Oberlin?). On the other hand he would be excited to continue his involvement in marching percussion with the UMich drum line.

He wants to maintain a focus on composing music, but is excited to learn and explore other areas, including the more technical aspects such as audio engineering, production, etc.

I would greatly appreciate any input on these programs, especially for a student with a composition focus.

Thanks!

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Wow great choices, congratulations to him!

Thanks! It’s a tough decision for him — definitely a nice “problem” to have! He feels fortunate to have these choices.

Congratulations to your son on those acceptances! I know nothing about the music programs, but has your son visited both campuses? Can he do so in the next 3-4 weeks? Getting a feel for the campus and its vibe, eating in the dining hall, sitting in on some classes, talking to students, meeting up with profs in the department, etc, might all help clarify the decision. Also, he might be able to stay overnight in the dorm if he knows someone or if the admissions department arranges it. As they’re a little over two hours away from each other, it would definitely be possible to visit them on the same trip, if you’re not within an easy distance of the two.

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Is he doing BFA, BM or BS in UMichigan PAT? Does he know what his focus would be there? Is he more interested in production, technology, sound engineering? Does he have an interest in the visual arts, or multi-media or new media? Does he compose? Is he more focused on the technology/studio aspects or creative/compositional aspects? (Posting website info below for the forum though I know you have read it!)

PAT (Performing Arts Technology): " Integrating the study of music, engineering, and allied arts in a close-knit, collaborative environment, the department features an inspiring and accomplished faculty comprising renowned scholars, teachers, artists and practitioners. Students collaborate with highly-talented peers across campus—from performing artists of every genre to next-generation audio technologists at the College of Engineering.

TIMARA (Technology in Music and Related Arts) " is for students who desire careers that combine traditional music skills with exploration of the latest techniques for electroacoustic musical expression. We offer a structured course of study that emphasizes the application of technology as a resource for careers in composition, new media, and performance."

“The major prepares a student for specialized graduate study in electroacoustic music, digital media, and interdisciplinary performance. For those who go directly into professional life, this major offers a structured course of study that stresses the application of technology as a special resource in composition, new media, and performance.” TIMARA has a collection oof vintage and newer electronic instruments.

This is a tough choice! Does he prefer one location over the other (they are sufficiently different)? Does he prefer large or small? Does he like the idea of total focus on undergrads or see positives in the presence of grad students? Are there a lot of opportunities for perfomance?

Check out Brown’s MEME and Dartmouth’s Digital Arts grad programs. They might be clarifying somehow-? Let us know what he chooses!

Thanks @AustenNut and @compmom for your replies. He has visited both campuses—he liked both, and could see himself at either one, but felt like day to day life might be “easier” at Oberlin given its size and small
town location. Ann Arbor was bustling and fun and exciting, but I think he wondered how he would adapt to the size of the campus, taking buses, etc. I also wonder about student support—is there a chance he might “fall through the cracks” at a place like Michigan if he is not yet the best advocate for himself. It would definitely be an opportunity for personal growth!

He was accepted into the BFA program at Michigan. Although he is quite an accomplished instrumentalist, he did not want to pursue a performance degree or prepare an audition on his instrument(s), so did not apply for the BM in music and technology. His focus is on the creative side, composition specifically. He composes on a DAW, and incorporates sounds that he records (acoustic instruments played by himself or others, sounds generated using various objects in the environment, singing, etc.) and manipulates these with the software, although some of his pieces are purely electronic, if that makes sense. I would not describe what he composes as sound art.

He wants to continue playing his instrument (percussion) in college, and sounds like he could do that at both places although he might not be eligible for all ensembles or for faculty lessons (perhaps depending on availability and audition results). He is very involved in marching percussion; to do that at a higher level as part of university life I think Michigan would be the place (he says this is not a deal breaker though).

He goes to a very large public high school where there is little individual attention so the idea of him going to a small private college is appealing (to me) although maybe he would get that experience as part of a smaller college at UMich (SMTD).

As a parent worried about career and job possibilities down the line I am glad he was accepted to the dual degree program at Oberlin. He did not apply to any college besides SMTD at UMich, although maybe he could do that later on? I am not sure how easy that is to do, or how competitive it might be.

Lastly, but importantly—finances. UMich ends up being considerably more affordable (about half the cost) than Oberlin, even without considering the fifth year of the double degree program. We can make it work without loans if it is the best place for him.

I was totally on board with Oberlin for him as you described his large high school and thinking of the focus on undergrads at Oberlin, as well as the integration of conservatory and college. He may find he doesn’t need the double degree, especially if he is enthused by TIMARA and wants grad school. I don’t think he necessarily needs the double degree for financial back up, but if he has another area of study he is passionate about, fine.

But the financial difference sounds significant. When you describe his musical activities he is definitely on the creative side and doing electroacoustic work (as opposed to electronic!). He is doing work that many kids don’t do at the high school level so I am not surprised at his acceptances! He sounds cool!

I kind of hope he can go to Oberlin, despite the financial difference. Have you talked to them? When we dealt with Oberlin the teacher implied they might be able to get more money. (Oberlin has some financial stressors right now with the bakery suit decision). If the financial side is too daunting, PAT will work really really well-stellar program- and has the flexibility for creative focus. So he cannot go wrong. Let us know!

A note about being “lost” at a big school. My D went to a big school (not U of Mich but IU)…and as I have said many times over the years on this site…good luck getting lost in a music program. It is generally a small world in a big school. So the whole “lost between the cracks” concern generally does not happen as the music school is “demanding” your time and presence. My D wanted to get a lost…for maybe a week, a little break…but alas, there was always a faculty member requiring her presense daily.

STILL, the environment can be an “issue”. Large schools can have a lot of “energy”. For my D, this was envigorating. She wanted to be in a city but the finances did not work. So a large school did provide a lot of energy and outside opportunities to … I don’t know … try tailgating (done a couple times freshman yr to my surprise). She did enjoy the variety and energy.

Another issue is that students can be moving at different rates doing many different things. They did cause my D to worry initially. From what I’ve heard, smaller programs can bring a class along at more the same pace which can be “less distracting”. However I’m sure this is a generalization and all schools are probs a bit different.

I do like to make this clarification (of course it’s only my opinion). I just don’t believe in the “you’ll get lost”. However I do believe…that a large school comes with energy and variety that can feel envigorating to some and overwhelming/distracting to others. One isn’t necessarily better than the other. It’s all about where your kid will grow best.

Good luck on two excellent choices.

Did you look at University of North Texas? Best percussion in the country by far.

My DC is making a similar choice and has similar concerns. CMU music technology or UMich BS in music technology. We have visited UMich and go to CMU next week. The facilities at SMTD seem great. But DC was turned off by the bus ride from main campus. I am worried about the size. I think the music school inside a larger university will be grounding but a good part of DC’s course kid will be in engineering. From what I can tell from the outside engineering at UMich can have more “weed out” classes. But SMTD seems really vibrant. Seems like it would feed DC’s creative side. We are still pretty confused here. We went through the college application process with one other child who had a strong gut level reaction. That isn’t happening this time around at least so far. Maybe CMU will feel right after a campus visit. There I worry about campus stress level, although maybe the school of music tempers that.

Thanks to all for the very helpful input! Glad to know that for music students it will be difficult to get lost even when the university as a whole is huge. Distractions could be an issue for DS in Ann Arbor, but eventually he will have to learn to deal with that (part of life).

In terms of UNT, without a doubt their programs in his areas of interest are terrific. He is thinking Michigan and Oberlin are probably a better fit.

@NoName14, sounds like a similar challenging decision for your child—two great choices! Best of luck with the upcoming visit, and hope it brings clarity.

Hi all - I am brand new to this website - thank you for your many amazing postings for we non-musical types with musical kids. @compmom Was hoping you could share your list of programs? Our son is hoping to apply to music production programs (electronic music is his passion) but because of some motor skills issues the audition on an instrument is going to be a heavy lift. Want to start understanding the programs and especially any that don’t have audition requirements. Thank you so much!

PM’ing you. He should be able to find non-audition schools. Some will want a portfolio. Would you say he is more interested in the creative side or the studio/technical side or both?

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