Music Composition

College Majors Music Major
1

I just started my junior year of high school, and I’ve been seriously looking into going to school for music composition. Here’s where I am—

  1. I play no instruments. I did some percussion in middle school. I’ve been taking voice lessons for a year or so. As far as singing goes, I’m alright, but not anywhere competitive for a VP program or anything.
  2. I have pretty basic knowledge of music theory. No ear training, but that’s something I’m working on.
  3. I’ve composed as a guilty pleasure for years now, not really creating anything substantial, always starting over. I never did anything purposefully, it was just, “put stuff in and adjust until the midi recording that came back out sounded good to me”

Here are my questions, feel free to answer as many as you’d like.

  1. Would it be worth it to continue voice lessons and do a voice audition for schools that require one? (I know there are schools which don’t require a performace audition for composition applicants) will I be seen as lazy for doing a voice audition? Does it matter that I’m not up to par with all the other voice applicants?

  2. what are some tangible ways I can get better at composition now? Purely by studying theory and writing? Or something else?

2

You don’t have to audition for voice or an instrument to do composition. You do at some schools of course, but there are plenty of options where you don’t.

For conservatory or school of music you will need a portfolio of 3-4 pieces, all or most performed and recorded (not MIDI).

Read the Double Degree Dilemma essay closer to the top of this forum for an explanation of different ways to study music. Composers can go to music school (BM) or major in music at any college or university with a music dept. (BA). You don’t have to do a BM (3/4 classes in music) for composition: it is part of a BA program (1/4 classes in music).

If you apply to a BA program, you generally won’t have to audition or submit a portfolio (there are exceptions). If you had a really good piece you could submit it in a supplement to the common application along with a music resume and letters of recommendation from music teachers.

Right now, you have not done enough for any of these options :slight_smile: Junior year is a great time to be posting with these questions because you have time.

  1. Get a teacher for composition. Some piano teachers will help with both theory and composition, but it is really good to have a teacher for composition alone. Sometimes a grad student will teach, even via email.

  2. Take a theory class. If not available at your school, you can do it online via Virtual HIgh School or find a college or conservatory where they offer it.

  3. Once you have some pieces done, apply to a summer program. One great program that does not require a portfolio is Walden School in Dublin NH. They accept creative kids who have not yet done formal composition.

What you are doing is not yet “real” composition but it is a start. One thing to try is buy some manuscript paper and pencils and try writing that way- old-fashioned but helpful. You can also get Finale or Sibelius to enter scores and make parts if you don’t already have it.

Good luck!

3

Thank You so much, you’re so so helpful!!

New questions: where would I find a composition teacher? I live in a very small town, and I’ve never heard of such a thing. Is that something people do over Skype?

Is recordings something you can pay people to do? How much would that be?

4

I’ll PM you.

Yes lessons can be done over Skype. Most people entering composition programs have studied with a teacher.

Those who study at a conservatory prep program would have opportunities for musicians to play their pieces. Otherwise, summer programs are the best bet.

Composition as a very competitive field honestly. Maybe you can tell us more about what you want to write.