I’m about to start my compositions for the colleges I want to get into, USC, Berklee, UCLA, and others. My main question is, how long should the compositions be?
Also, does anyone have any tips for composition or just how to get into these schools? Thanks!
P.S.I have a 4.0 GPA and a current SAT score of 1390, which I will be taking again to get a higher score.
There is no guideline for how long a piece should be. What are your compositional interests? From your choice of schools it sounds like you want to do film scoring. Do you have a teacher? Have you had performances?
You will need some live performances for your recordings. Summer programs can be helpful for that. Have you attended one or could you still apply (Walden may have openings).
I will PM you.
My son is in the same boat @Thewoodenpiano. Thanks for posting! This is the first I’ve heard of needing live performances for recordings.
It depends on what level of program one applies to. If applying to a traditional elite program they will almost always prefer that at least a few of the submitted pieces not be a midi recording, or otherwise computer generated.
For instance:
Bard: Prescreening:
A portfolio of scores that best represent the applicant's creative potential
Recordings of the works submitted (preferably not in MIDI format)
USC: In addition to the required application materials, applicants to programs in Composition must submit scores and recordings of three contrasting pieces of varying instrumentation; electro-acoustic works may be included.
Michigan: All composition applicants must upload up to seven scores of your musical compositions with recordings of each work.
Vanderbilt: Applicants for the composition major must upload a portfolio of three original scores and corresponding recordings (at least one live recording preferred) of those compositions through the Blair Acceptd application (prescreening video section).
Indiana: Both undergraduate and graduate applicants should submit samples of their work representing a variety of forms and media. Also required is a list of the applicant’s completed compositions, including date of composition, instrumentation, duration, and any performances. Scores and list of works should be in PDF format (no Finale, Sibelius, or Word files). Recordings of performances are recommended for B.M., B.S.O.F. and M.M. applicants.
Peabody: Auditioning prospective B.M. students should be fully conversant in the reading and writing of music. B.M. candidates are expected to demonstrate some knowledge of 20th Century music, including post-war music (music written since 1945). Scores consisting of a variety of instrumentations are strongly encouraged. For B.M. candidates however, an orchestral score is not required. Three scores – but no more than three – should be uploaded to the application, along with all recordings.Acoustic performances are strongly encouraged but not required. MIDI performances are acceptable.
NYU: Three or four scores of original works in different instrumentation and style, and audio recordings of at least two of them.
Wow!! Thank you for all of that information, @SpiritManager !
That’s why summer programs are so helpful. (We looked at it as an expense that was worth it since having good recordings might mean money saved in the long run via aid.)
If you have a local orchestra, some members might volunteer or play pieces for a small fee (say, a string quartet).
If there are good players in high school that is another possibility.
Or enter a competition. (Check Composers Site)
Some people pay- there are actually organizations that play pieces, but I don’t remember the name.
The most important tip is that you can apply to a BA program and not have to submit a portfolio at all. You can major in music and compose while at college. Some people submit a music resume with a recording, music resume, and letter(s) from a teacher or two, but that is not necessary and is a good idea only if the supplement demonstrates talent.
My daughter had two pieces sung by choirs that she sings in. Then she pulled together three other players to play a string quartet with her. One was her violin teacher. One was a good violinist that her music comp teacher knew. And one was a local high school teacher, who we had to pay. Some interviewers were impressed by her networking to put together the string quartet. I think part of what schools are looking for is people who have the gumption to persuade people to play their work.
Luckily, schools care most about the score itself.
An excellent summer program for composers is the High School Composition Intensive at Berklee/Boston Conservatory. It is only two weeks long, but it packs in a lot. The students leave with three professionally recorded pieces performed by professional musicians. My son went last year. He had a wonderful time and grew a lot as a composer. He used one of his three pieces as part of his college audition portfolio, and it was very well received. The deadline to apply for this year is June 1.
I like Walden a lot because students spend 6 weeks on one piece, eat dinner with musicians, and take classes in all kinds of subjects. The pieces that result are polished and amazing. I thought that writing three pieces in a short period of time was not good training, but in recent years I have changed my mind: BoCo’s intensive does seem to have pretty good results.
Eastman has a summer program as well and dateline extended till May 1st. We really heard good things about Walden. I belive they are still accepting applicants.
Amazing teachers and performers at Walden. If I had it to do all over again, I would send my S there for sure.
Do a summer program. Mine decided on composition May / June of Junior year - so we had to scramble. The summer program (BOCO) helped, but then he had to do several other pieces and get them performed. Several kids showed up with pieces in progress and then completed while there and got them performed. He wrote a piece that his instrument teacher performed, paid a singing group at a local community college to perform another piece, submitted the large band piece that was computer generated, and had another performance piece with a few string instruments.