My son is interested in pursuing music. Currently in Grade 11 pursuing IB music. admission into music colleges seems a very different task than what we did for our daughter. Is it worth having a consultant ? As parents we know very little about the music our son plays. He plays classical Piano and wants to pursue composition in a music college. Consultants are hugely expensive, I understand, is it worth the money ? Can anybody share their experience on this. Thank you .
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The music application process is very different from classic college admissions, and composition is different from music performance and music teaching. While only you can decide whether to engage a consultant, there is a wealth of knowledge and diverse experience represented by the participants in this forum. We found the forum to be an excellent (and free) resource in chaperoning our D into a BM program in vocal performance. @compmom Thoughts?
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There was a recent discussion partly about consultants in another thread: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/2125182-college-consultant-for-music-technology.html
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Another discussion about how to look for composition majors http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/2131755-composition-choosing-a-school-and-faculty-mentor.html#latest
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We did not use a consultant, but we relied on our son’s music teachers and CC to learn as much as we could!
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Hi MusicPY, I don’t think you need a consultant, no. Just hang out a bit here 
I’ll PM you so you can write with some privacy if needed.
First just want to mention that Walden School, a summer composition program in Dublin NH, is still taking applications for this coming summer. It is 6 weeks and costly but they have aid if needed. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Your son would have a recording of a 10-15 minute piece at the end recorded by world class musicians,
Second, make sure you and your son read the Double Degree Dilemma essay closer to the top of this forum. It is really about the different ways to study music.
A composer can do a BM in a conservatory or school of music, freestanding or part of a college or university. A BM is 2/3-3/4 music classes, usually means submitting a portfolio of 3-4 pieces, and involves an interview or audition (some schools want an instrument, some don’t
A composer can also do a BA, with means 1/4-1/3 classes in music. This can mean a general music major, or a composition strand- or even majoring in something else entirely (with lessons and extracurricular performances). In the BA context, other options are double major, major/minor.
Then there is the option of a double degree- usually BA/BM (Harvard has a BA/MM with NEC). This may be at one college (Oberlin, Bard, Lawrence etc.) campus, or shared between a college and conservatory (NEC with Tufts and Harvard).
For BA, many submit a music supplement to the Common App with recording, music resume, and letters from teacher or director.
Does your son have a teacher? Has he done any summer programs? What are his goals for composing?
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PM’ed you. Oops this was April! I find the new format so hard to read…
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