<p>I can’t imagine applying to both CalArts and Juilliard for composition - the aesthetic and gestalt is so different. What attracts your son to each?</p>
<p>If you tell us more about what your son wants out of a composition program we can guide you better. What does he listen to? What kind of music has he written? Does he study privately? Has he had his music played? And, what kind of college atmosphere is he looking for? Does he want academics or no academics, big or small? Does he want to be one of many composers, or one of a few? Undergraduate only, or grad students. All these things can help him narrow down the list. </p>
<p>As all we composition parents have said in our many posts - there are many different paths to take and they are all valid. There are lots of great programs out there. But they don’t fit all. </p>
<p>My son, for instance, wanted a supportive collaborative environment with fascinating and stimulating composition professors who would guide and nurture him without imposing a stern aesthetic upon him. He wanted to be sure there would be opportunities to hear his music performed, and a reliable source of high caliber student musicians for him to work with. He did not want to compete for those opportunities with too many grad students, nor a huge number of undergrad composers. And, in addition, he wanted a traditional college environment with students who were not all musicians. And he wanted challenging and exciting academics.</p>
<p>So, tell us more about your son and what he feels he needs for the next years of his adventure.</p>