<p>Hello so I'm applying to UCLA and UCSB for music composition and they require me to submit 3-5 written scores. The thing is, when I compose, I use my keyboard - which I then attach to my laptop- and use a free music program to compose. So when I downloaded Sibelius and tried to write scores there, it was so tedious ( i use at least 8 different instruments). I use garageband, which actually provides music sheet but all I can do is print them, not save them into a PDF file. I am sooo confused :c I just don't have the written score but I have the audio and everything.. </p>
<p>so my question is, are there any programs for me to convert my mp3 file to sheet music ( I use mac) and then I can open the midi on Sibelius and convert it to a PDF file to send it to my college?
and I am having trouble with this because when I compose, I don’t write scores. I use my keyboard and play it - selecting different instruments. So i don’t really have a score… </p>
<p>If you find notating in Sibelius too tedious you might want to reconsider studying composition formally, and just keep making music on your own. (I’m not being facetious - think long and hard about what you want to get out of studying composition.)</p>
<p>On the other hand, have you tried using the free limited version of Finale? It can enter notation directly from a keyboard. Do know that UCLA is very competitive for composition - are you applying to the classical program or for popular music? Most of the UCLA applicants will have been composing for awhile, with live performances and scores to submit. You’re going to have to play catch-up. And, if you’re accepted, you’ll need to start using either Finale or Sibelius, although you won’t be faulted for also writing your scores by hand. But you’re going to be doing notation - no way around it. And eight instruments is nothing compared to writing scores for orchestras!</p>
<p>I recommend you look into CSU Long Beach - it is a good program for students who enter with less formal knowledge of composing, and are more used to winging it on the computer.</p>
<p>I’m applying for popular music. And I don’t just wing it on the computer either. ;p</p>
<p>I think most people use either Sibelius or Finale. Those two are the main ones.</p>
<p>ok thanks!</p>
<p>What you do with keyboard and laptop sounds cool, but I am not sure what programs you are applying to. I was curious and checked the websites for the two schools you mentioned:
<a href=“http://www.music.ucla.edu/composition-concentration-undergraduate”>http://www.music.ucla.edu/composition-concentration-undergraduate</a>
<a href=“http://www.ethnomusic.ucla.edu/ethnomusicology-undergraduate-program”>http://www.ethnomusic.ucla.edu/ethnomusicology-undergraduate-program</a>
<a href=“California State University, Long Beach - Acalog ACMS™”>California State University, Long Beach - Acalog ACMS™;
<p>Can you refer us to links for the popular music programs that you are applying to? More schools are adding “contemporary” programs and I am, myself, even confused about that versus “popular,” but I cannot find either on the websites.</p>
<p>Most composition programs are classical and, believe it or not, some still ask for one handwritten score (yes, on manuscript paper). Talk about tedious. Some still write a full orchestral piece on paper, then have to transfer the whole thing onto Finale or Sibelius, if only to make parts (another alternative is to cut up the score and do some pasting!!).</p>
<p>Most programs also want at least a few pieces that have been played by live musicians, though you can try with MIDI files.</p>
<p>What is your deadline for these schools? You will probably have to notate what you are doing, either on paper or on Finale or Sibelius. Many people do this before a piece is played though, not after 
Though improvising is really key for some composers. </p>
<p>I don’t know much about the Finale function that Spirit Manger mentions but perhaps that could help (connecting keyboard to Finale to produce scores). You could also scan sheets from GarageBand and then send. Staples can scan them and put them on a drive for you.</p>
<p>The real problem is, as Spirit Manager said, that once admitted you will have to start composing with notation and scores.</p>
<p>I hope your process can be adjusted to make all this happen. I also hope that time is not a problem for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>p.s. Have you looked into music production or recording programs, music technology, or electronics? Look at Cal Arts maybe. What is your goal? Do you want to do film scoring, improvisation, electroacoustic work?</p>
<p>For UCLA, I applied as a music (composition) major. I believe that there is no different categories as classical and popular in that major. However, I do hope to do more popular/ modern music than classical. And all of my compositions are Jazzy or modern as well. I just emailed the campus asking if I could submit my score that is hand-written because hand writing them is easier for me.
I believe that contemporary means just adding more modern instruments into music, like synthesizer I think.</p>
<p>My compositions are all improvisations but I think they are pretty good!
I have the audio file as well. It’s just the score that I’m having a little issue with.</p>
<p>for UCLA, the deadline is unfortunately december 12th. I don’t have much time, but I have my compositions done, I just gotta transcribe them into scores. (hopefully UCLA will accept hand-written scores)
and for UCSB, it’s Jan 12th, I believe. They haven’t even open the online application yet.</p>
<p>and I have no problem working with notation and scores. </p>
<p>thank you!</p>
<p>No, I did not look into Cal Arts. My goal is to go to a UC, maybe transfer to USC (for music industry).
but if I decide to stay, I really want to start my music career early, so I want to be in the music program.
I’m hoping to do all of them. Film scoring, improv, and electroacoustic work.
I post my music on YouTube and sell them - I do modern/commercial music -but I really want some deep knowledge about composing since I never learned anything about it.
(:</p>
<p>Handwritten scores were very much appreciated when my daughter applied. If the applications are online, can you scan the handwritten scores and send that way, or will you send by postal mail?</p>
<p>The programs look classical, which should suit you actually, since you want some foundational knowledge.</p>
<p>You may have some adventures ahead.</p>
<p>In fact, you may find some of the things going on in “contemporary classical composition” (aka “new music”) versus “popular” quite exciting. If you want to read up, Alex Ross’ book “The Rest is Noise” might be useful. And listening to Phillip Glass, Steve Reich, John Adams, George Crumb, David Lang, Kaija Saariaho, Marco Stroppa, Phillipe Manoury… well, I could go on.</p>
<p>And you won’t have time for that for a few days 
Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you so much! I will be scanning the scores. They don’t accept any paper/ postal mails anymore.</p>
<p>xquits, you might want to post a separate thread asking for help finding a popular music composition program in California…Thornton at USC, Belmont in Nashville, and a school in Florida (I forget if Miami or Florida State-?) are often mentioned, as is Cal Arts.</p>
<p>Here is a site with a list of music programs in CA, and another list on the same site for composition:
<a href=“http://www.ehow.com/list_6302897_music-schools-california.html”>http://www.ehow.com/list_6302897_music-schools-california.html</a>
<a href=“http://best-music-colleges.com/music-theory-and-composition/california”>http://best-music-colleges.com/music-theory-and-composition/california</a></p>
<p>University of Puget Sound, University of the Pacific and especially Lewis and Clark have been mentioned here. Lewis and Clark does not have a conservatory, which could be a plus.</p>
<p>Without listening to your music, I would think you might want to consider schools that do NOT have a conservatory.music school. You could enter as an undecided and try music classes out, or enter as a prospective general music major (which many composers do). Chances are no portofio or audition would be required but you could send one piece as an audio file for an “arts supplement.” Many composers do go to conservatory but many don’t. As long as you get a good general music education with theory and history etc., and progress with composing through lessons and performances, you can have access to grad study from many different paths.</p>
<p>Xquits, just so you know, if your printer is laser when you print you have the option of outputting it as a PDF instead. So a quick solution to your problem would be to jack your notebook into a system connected to a laser printer, provided you have a driver for same. If your printer isn’t laser, maybe you could use a friends or ask your parents to output the file at work.</p>
<p>At the same time, you WILL ultimately need to learn finale or siebelius, but the time to learn it is not under deadline pressure ;)</p>
<p>ohh i see! thank you so much!!! 
</p>