<p>Hey Everyone,</p>
<p>I'm new to this forum, and this is my first post so...</p>
<p>I'm a senior in high school and play clarinet, going to be a clarinet major. My real goal in life is to become a composer for film or just a composer in general. Basically not playing profession, but still working with music. I was wondering what universities, (not conservatories) have a good music programs, but mostly an outstanding theory/composition faculty?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I am looking at
USC
U Miami (FL)
Cincinnati-CCM
Florida State
U of Arizona
Ohio State
...sounds good? more suggestions?</p>
<p>Yep, sounds good. Think about Indiana University, and University of Michigan, too.</p>
<p>A good place to look further is here <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/6280-suggestions-colleges-music-majors.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/6280-suggestions-colleges-music-majors.html</a></p>
<p>Search the forum for composition, there have been numerous threads.</p>
<p>Also, SUNY Buffalo is said to have a good comp department.</p>
<p>How long have you been writing? Where do you live? These are things to consider first...</p>
<p>In the Midwest:
Chicago
Michigan
Indiana
Illinois
Northwestern </p>
<p>On the Eastcoast:
Harvard
CUNY
Yale
Princeton
UPenn
Rochester
Cornell
Columbia
Brandeis
SUNY Stony Brook
North Carolina
NYU
Duke </p>
<p>On the Westcoast:
UC Berkeley
Stanford
UT Austin
UCLA
UNT</p>
<p>Please be aware that the terminology you're currently using, "theory and composition", implies a major that will most definitely be centered among the composition of 'academic' music. If you seek to write commercial music, such as film scores, in the future, be advised that majoring in theory and/or composition will not get you there.</p>
<p>Instead, you will be applying to programs under the term "film composition", or as they say some places here in the UK, "composition for screen".</p>
<p>I don't think it's fair to be naming all of these really upper tier schools when we don't even know how comfortable the kid feels with composing in the first place. All this forum really does when people ask about schools is name drop every famous top tier school in the country and never really go in depth. A kid who's been composing for a couple years "for fun" or something isn't going to get into Eastman or IU for composition.</p>
<p>per gms:</p>
<p>
[quote]
All this forum really does when people ask about schools is name drop every famous top tier school in the country and never really go in depth.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>As a longtime and fairly frequent poster I find the above comment unfair, and perhaps the impression of an infrequent poster who may not realize the depth of knowledge, examination of detail and thoughtful advice and direction provided by many who contribute here.</p>
<p>gms, you make a VERY valid point about more background being need from the OP as to the level, training experience, tuition and scope of his/her composition activity before a list of meaningful selections are presented.</p>
<p>For the record most of us here defer to and recommend a new member to the sources known for greater program and discipline knowledge and experience.</p>
<p>Just my $.02.</p>
<p>Just some background info you asked for:</p>
<p>I live in new england, but do not what to go to school on the east coast, unless I go south like NC or below. </p>
<p>I haven't had any experience in composition, although i have written some informal stuff here and there. To clarify things, I'm not going to be a comp/theory major, just hope to take classes. My aspiration is to go to college as a clarinet major, but come out knowing how to really write music. Is that possible to do anyways?
USC and U miami are my top choices because they have a film scoring in their film school.</p>
<p>Hope that clarifies some things.
-fr</p>
<p>So you don't want to study composition in school, but you want to be able to know how to write and be competitive in one of the music competitive fields OF music composition? I don't know how possible that is. USC also happens to be one of the most competitive schools to get into for composition in general (it's awfully expensive too). I would suggest Florida State as they have a good film school and Dr. Mark Wingate on faculty who can consult you on things of that nature. Otherwise, I would recommend NYU. </p>
<p>By the way, being a composition major isn't about "taking classes". It's about private study, just like you would with the clarinet, and it requires a lot of time and a lot of work. Being able to write IS your instrument, it isn't just some sort of "Oh yeah I can do that too" sort of thing. I wouldn't be able to make an orchestral audition if I were a piano player but just "dabbled in trombone in college and took a couple of lessons". </p>
<p>I also highly suggest emailing faculty members at schools you are interested in. Again, I recommend Florida State if you're looking for a good music school in the Southeast. UMiami is good too, but Florida State is just as good (maybe better, depends on who you are) and has the film school. I would also suggest the North Carolina School of the Arts or University of Texas, or University of Houston. All are great upper mid tier schools that you should probably check out. Of course, all this bears to ask, how are you clarinet chops and have you looked closely into where would be the best place to fit your talent level as a clarinetist?</p>
<p>gms5287- you bring up a very valid point. But would studying composition, and or theory for 4 years, be enough to maybe go to graduate school for it, or is it something that takes years to develop, like you mentioned, an instrument.<br>
Other occupations that interest me are becoming an arranger, or an orchestrator or going into recording arts. Do you think it's possible to get into college as a music major and come out with knowledge about another discipline in music besides performance?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>freerider, yes it is possible, and indeed quite common. At many schools you will find students with equal skill, talent and interest across disciplines. Performers who are composers, composers who are theory geeks, or have a conducting bent. Some have incredible talent across instruments, or can be equally proficient in the vocal arts. Often, cross study is limited more to the time, credit and structure of the degree program than to the talent levels and desires of many.</p>
<p>I've seen compostition BM's go to grad school for performance, comp grads as conductor aspirants, or both pursuing music ed masters. A handful head to law school. I've known Ivy academic liberal arts or science sheepskin holders at top level institutions as fully funded performance or composition masters candidates.</p>
<p>You appear to need a program that is sound, has great faculty student interaction, and exposes you to the intensities of pursuit of music at a high level. You seem to have some multiple talents, or if nothing else, multiple aspirations that need some exploration, and perhaps a sense of your talents within a broad peer group.</p>
<p>Are you aware that most of the "top" programs are audition (or portfolio based for composition) based? Do you know the differences between a BA and a BM? </p>
<p>Please read the following if you haven't already. They provide pretty comprehensive overview of why's and how of a music education. It might help in clarifying what you think might be the best type of school/program you're looking for.
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-family-s-experience.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-family-s-experience.html</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/460187-how-many-music-voice-performance-majors-find-jobs.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/460187-how-many-music-voice-performance-majors-find-jobs.html</a>
Navigating</a> Music Careers
Peabody</a> Institute - Conservatory Admissions: The Double Degree Dilemma</p>
<p>I don't know how helpful this will be, but noticing you listed "theory" as a perspective interest, I might be able to give some information. For one, the theory department at Florida State is top-notch, on par with departments at many other top tier universities and conservatories. Also, Indiana does not offer a major strictly in composition; however, its theory faculty at a graduate level is notoriously awesome. </p>
<pre><code>Little has been touched on the issue of developing a skill in theory. I will admit that many high quality performers or composers have gained tremendous insight and contributed much to music theory, but I would hesitate to assume one can gain the extensive knowledge in theory necessary to attend graduate school while studying another major, especially performance.
</code></pre>
<p>Just a word of warning - while Violadad is correct that there are students who can compete successfully in two musical arenas, for instance performance and composition, performance in two instruments, etc., these are often students who have had high level instruction in both fields before beginning an undergraduate degree. There are also many students who could have been competitive in 2 areas - for example violin and viola or piano and another instrument - who have found it preferable to drop one as a serious pursuit in order to compete at the highest level in the chosen field. Much will depend on the stamina, drive, and underlying talent of the student. </p>
<p>In addition to the advice others have given you above, there are several parents of students who have begun composition studies this year that post on this board. If you haven't already done so, you might search through their posts from the past year to see the kinds of training they had as high schoolers.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>I agree with fiddlestix and theorygeek in their comments. What I have cited are exceptions, not norms. It llustrates that it is indeed possible, albeit not probable.</p>
<p>Thanks for all who have posted so far. I learning quite some new information.
What do you think about the colleges I have so far? Any more to add?<br>
comments too?</p>
<p>I just posted a reply to CS Meredith that might be relevant. </p>
<p>I am curious why you want to train as a composer if you have not been doing much of it already. I don't mean that high school accomplishments are required, and many come late to composing. I just wonder if this is an idea you have for making a living, rather than a strong inner drive-?</p>
<p>I am only familiar with Northeast schools, which you are not interested in. So I defer to others. But if you go to any college and take music classes (even if you don't major in music), you will certainly be able to try some theory and composition out. You will have plenty of time to explore the possibilities that music holds for you. I know this can be hard, but I hope you can do this exploration for a few years - whether in music or liberal arts or sciences - without worrying yet about making a living!</p>
<p>Check out the actual courses in the music departments on school websites. That is a really great way to get a feel for what is offered, and to clarify your own goals. Good luck!</p>
<p>thanks compmom.</p>
<p>I do have an inner drive to write music, and I do so currently. I just want to get a strong background in music theory in college no matter what I plan to do the rest of my life whether it be clarinet or comp. whatever..</p>
<p>The biggest help would be to add any school that you suggest I look into. Big or small, household name or not, anything.</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>I went to the University of Iowa as a theory major for a Master's. I know they have a strong theory/composition major, and I got an assistantship...This was many years ago, but I know that the University of Iowa is known for theory/composition.</p>