Music Composition Resume and Repertoire?

College Majors Music Major
1

I’m currently applying to Lynn Conservatory, Temple University, and Columbia College Chicago for music composition, but they all require a resume and repertoire list. First, does anyone know anything about Lynn’s conservatory and their acceptance rates? Secondly, what do they mean by resume and repertoire?

Here’s some info about me musically:

I’ve composed for around 7 years on Noteflight and Musescore; I now compose on Finale
I usually compose for string quartets; generally around 3 minutes long
I’ve played violin for 7 years
I have basic piano skill
I have no live recordings, but I’m trying to have my high school string ensemble play one of my pieces
I’ve submitted one piece in the PMEA Music Composition Competition
I’ve been told I have talent composition-wise, but I’ve never been formally judged
I’m currently trying to create my own website

If you’d like to hear my pieces to gauge where I am musically, please PM me! Thank you so much! :slight_smile:

2

Your resume is basically a more formal version of what you wrote in the original post. You should list your original compositions, the instrumentation and length. Since you’ve had no performances of your work you cannot list that - but otherwise, that would be included. If you’ve attended any formal composition programs, or studied composition with anyone you would list that, as well.
List your repertoire on your violin and any solo concerto performances, particularly if competitive.

3

@SpiritManager Thanks! Should I mention any pieces I submitted into competitions (I submitted one last week and I plan on submitting one tomorrow). Also, is it bad that I have no pieces that have been performed, and have also never attended a formal composition workshop or program? I’ve only done certain things for violin, and I don’t know if I’m good enough composition wise to be able to rely solely on my compositions in my portfolio :frowning:

Do you happen to know anything about the schools I posted and the level of “musicianship” (per se) for each school ?

4

Don’t worry too much about the resume and repertoire. There is no formal set format. Another poster asked about this recently.

You can list your regular education at the top (high school, any other programs in anything), with years.

Then a section on music education, and include there any music programs, teachers, lessons, ensembles etc. You can include, first, 7 years experience composing with Musescore etc. etc if you like. Also have years you have studied violin, teacher, and so on. You can also put piano study, theory, music history, anything relevant.

Then a section that lists your compositions, with title, date written, instrumentation, and duration (3:42 for instance). And performance if there is one :slight_smile:

You can have an “awards section” and list those two and what was submitted, when and results pending.

You can also have a section on violin repertoire, performances that are notable, etc.

You can really arrange any of this information any way you want ,

Who said you were talented? Can this person write you a recommendation?

Okay so Temple’s Boyer School of Music’s prescreening deadline is Jan. 1, auditions are in Feb. and application for Temple itself is March 1st. Not sure how this all works together. This one is only composition and no audition- interview and piano evaluation (don’t worry) etc. No instrumental auditon. This is a very good program I have heard.

Columbia College Chicago is a creative place with many different things going on and the opportunity to collaborate with film makers, dancers etc. There are some really talented people who come out of there and go on to great grad programs. It depends. It used to be open or almost open admissions. Don’t know now. There is no audition or portfolio required, but you can send something in- ask them. The dates are a little confusing because it is rolling admissions: apply early and you get in early. The deadline for fall is May 1 but for merit scholarships you might need to get things in by Jan.15th.

I think Lynn looks great. Have you already gotten your application in to the university? The deadline was Dec. 1. The deadline for submission of materials seems to be Feb. 1 and then auditions are in Feb. Just two compositions required and no instrumental audition.

If you are good at violin, you could also apply to places that have both instrumental audition and composition portfolio. Or you could apply to colleges that require neither and send an arts supplement with a score and a recording of your violin, if it is good enough to make that worthwhile.

SUNY Purchase has a later deadline, don’t know about the other SUNY’s. You don’t have a lot of time for any of your applications to other places as you know.

I think these are great choices. Feel free to send me music :slight_smile:

5

“Also, is it bad that I have no pieces that have been performed, and have also never attended a formal composition workshop or program? I’ve only done certain things for violin, and I don’t know if I’m good enough composition wise to be able to rely solely on my compositions in my portfolio”

Is that bad? For elite programs, yes, it is. But, as @compmom said, Columbia College is generous in admission. Can you afford to go there if admitted? How did you choose the colleges you did? What state are you in, and will you need financial aid? You need to find a composition program which does not require a lot of experience for admission. There are plenty of those out there - it won’t be a problem. At many schools you can apply for the major in music with a composition focus after you’ve been there a few years - which could be a good route for you. Are you hoping to avoid all academics?

6

Composition is a long road. I have seen students from these schools and others like them at excellent grad programs.

7

@compmom My band director and Orchestral directors both said my pieces were very well written, and urged me to submit my string quartet for a few competitions, and a few of my other pieces (I’m planning on submitting 5 compositions to those three schools).

I also was looking specifically for places that require no audition because I don’t trust my violin skill compared to my composition skill. I think I’m a fairly strong composer, but I’ve never had proper judging, so I’m uncertain as to how an admission representative would look at my music, but I’m currently trying to get all of my pieces uploaded to YouTube :slight_smile:

I’ve also submitted all of my college apps, just need to submit the decision desk apps for each school.

@SpiritManager ColumbiaCollege Chicago is my fallback per se because of their very “open-ish” admission process; I wouldn’t be able to afford it though :frowning:
I’m banking on a good financial aid package, but if that falls through, then Lynn is still my top choice because of their automatic scholarships. I don’t want to avoid academics though; I would like to minor in psychology or film just in case :slight_smile:

8

I think these are good schools for you though yes, it depends on cost.( Is there a state university or college you could also apply to? Instrumental auditions for composers are a little less demanding than for performance majors, so if a state school does have auditions, you could try. )

I wouldn’t send 5 pieces to schools that ask for fewer than 5. I know it is hard to choose. If you really want to, call admissions and ask. Also, they tend to want you to cue the best 3 minutes- have they asked that on the applications?

I am relieved your applications are in.

Please do send music via PM if you would like!

9

Are your band and orchestra directors writing recommendations?

10

@compmom My band director is writing me a reccomendation, and my second hair director from a music abroad trip I went on is also writing me a reccomendation.
And I really want to avoid auditions because of the process and because of my playing abilities, which is why I narrowed my list down to a few schools that don’t require auditions (I was going to apply to Oberlin also, because they also don’t require an audition and are very prestigious, but I think I will transfer there sophomore year if I don’t like my current choices).
There’s also West Chester University, but I sadly missed the application deadline.

Only CCC asked me to cut down my compositions, so I think I’ll submit 2 of mine there :slight_smile:

How do I send music via PM if I only have midi recordings? Can I still send them, or should I upload them to YouTube?

11

I am not good with this type of thing! I would ask the colleges directly unless someone else can come on here and reply. Are your schools okay with midi only? I hope so, and I think they should be…Let us know how it all works out!
Good luck!