Realistic College List for Music Composition?

College Majors Music Major
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<p>For one thing, a composition teacher would help you with the range issues you are talking about. A teacher could help with portfolio, recommendation letter, suggestions on schools, finding musicians…and you could see the teacher even as little as once a month for a few months to accomplish some of this.</p>

<p>Most conservatories want to see different types of composition in a portfolio, such as a clarinet trio, a string quartet, a solo piece and a choral piece, and/or different styles. Having 3-5 band pieces may be okay, but you might want to check: a teacher could help you with this too, at least in terms of certain schools.</p>

<p>Perhaps money that is going toward piano could instead be used for composition, for those months. And I will tell you that money spent at this stage of the game may make you money in the long run, because decent compositions can earn you scholarships.</p>

<p>Composition teachers vary in their focus, honestly. Some work a lot on “what’s on the page,” and others help more with larger visions of a piece in a more “holistic” fashion. The best teachers allow you your own ideas and “voice,” but provide the help you need and seek to execute them, including technical issues such as playable ranges. But at this juncture, I think many teachers could meet your needs. Fine tuning who your teacher is can come at a later time. In fact, compatible teachers should be a big part of what schools you apply to. It is good to research faculty, listen to their music (even order CD’s, though many have samples on their websites) and read their bios.</p>

<p>Our daughter heard much the same thing that Spirit Manager quoted, about someday being a better composer through a broader education. However, she also saw the beauty of a focus on music, and if we could have afforded the conservatories that admitted her, she might have chosen one, rather than college. So if cost is an issue, please know in advance that most conservatories are not able to provide a lot of financial aid, and even merit aid is not always sufficient to make them affordable. Double degree schools like Bard or Oberlin do provide the best of both worlds, and do offer more aid than the free-standing conservatories, in general. But both conservatories are pretty selective.</p>

<p>“Creative Colleges” lists many schools and will be helpful, but also look at websites, research teachers and courses, once you have that list. Good luck!</p>

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<p>“For the “safeties”, I’m thinking about applying to some schools in Virginia (where I live right now), like Christopher Newport, or JMU since they both have fairly decent music programs.”</p>

<p>I teach in the School of Theatre & Dance at JMU. I would not consider the SOM at JMU a “safety.” Assuming a rigorous HS course load and your GPA being 3.7 - 3.8 only taking into account core courses (no music, art, or drama), you look to be within the JMU academic admit range (for the class of 2013 about 50% had a HS GPA of 3.75 or above… although I have heard that this year this may be a higher percentage). How well do you play the sax? Piano? At JMU you will need to be audition on an instrument AND submit two musical works and interview with the composition faculty if you want to be considered for composition. <a href=“http://www.jmu.edu/music/auditions/undergraduate.html[/url]”>http://www.jmu.edu/music/auditions/undergraduate.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The new Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at JMU opened this fall. This had a huge impact on the number of students we saw in the School of Theatre & Dance, and as a result program admissions will become even more competitive in the upcoming cycle. I am not sure if the SOM has felt the same impact. Since you are currently living in VA maybe try to schedule a visit to JMU and a meeting with one of the composition teachers and a saxophone or piano instructor. </p>

<p>I do not know if CNU would be considered a safety either. Academically it is generally an easier admit than JMU, although it seems that almost all VA state schools have been raising their admissions standards each year. I do not know about their Music Department, but looking at their website it appears that composition students may not be required to audition on an instrument. [Christopher</a> Newport University | Department of Music](<a href=“http://music.cnu.edu/aud_require.htm]Christopher”>http://music.cnu.edu/aud_require.htm).</p>

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<p>If you want to consider schools in VA, George Mason University also has a school of music with a composition major that does not require an instrument audition, just a portfolio. In addition to getting a private teacher I would suggest trying to schedule a visit and interview with some of the schools to see what they are looking for and how you stack up. I also believe that at this point you do not need more piano, but help in getting ready for the admission process.</p>

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<p>“Just out of curiosity…what exactly does a composition teacher do?”</p>

<p>This worries me. If you don’t know what you would gain from a composition teacher and think one is not that essential, while piano lessons are - why do you want to major in composition in college? Studying composition means working with a composition teacher - that’s the core of a composition degree - everything else is auxiliary. It’s just like studying an instrument - you are in a professor’s studio and you work with them. (Although, admittedly, at some colleges you start with group lessons the first few years.)</p>

<p>I truly think you should explore the idea of a BA in music - and not focus yet on composition. This will not preclude you from taking courses in counterpoint, orchestration, etc. - but it will also allow you to take any other kind of music classes you want without tying you down right away to one path. And you will still be able to get your music performed.</p>

<p>You have years ahead of you in which to study music - there’s no reason you can’t specialize later.</p>

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<p>ComposerGuy - My son’s piano teacher helped him quite a bit with composition. Have you talked to your teacher about it? We actually switched his teacher at the beginning of 10th grade specifically so that he could get more help with composition. We couldn’t afford another teacher (already paying for piano and horn) and he didn’t have more time for more lessons. So we found a teacher who was willing and able to do double duty.</p>

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<p>SpiritManager- What I meant was, I’m not really sure how much I would really benefit from having a composition teacher at this point. I probably should have found a teacher over the summer, but now that summer’s over and there are only 3 months left before I have to send in applications/portfolios I’m probably going to be spending most of my time looking over compositions I’ve done in the past, and fixing some of the problems.</p>

<p>I agree that having a composition teacher is essential when writing music, but at this point, my compositions are basically finished and pretty much all that I can do is proofread them and make minor changes. Adding any new ideas, or developing some of the existing ideas further would probably require rewriting a majority of the piece. (or writing a new piece completely)</p>

<p>I am looking for someone who would be willing to listen to my compositions and provide feedback, but I’m just not really sure my parents would be willing to let me take composition lessons.</p>

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<p>My daughter only sees a teacher after she writes pieces. The teacher does not necessarily help you write the pieces first time around. Some teachers do, and some students want that, but the work with a teacher can be after the fact. You said you are going to “fix some problems” and that is perfect work for you to do with a teacher, as is reviewing past works, preparing a portfolio, and evaluating your future path.</p>

<p>Ask your parents to pay for this instead of piano or anything else having to do with music. If you want to study composition in college or conservatory, a teacher is a priority.</p>

<p>If, by December, you have never had a composition teacher, it would seem that many of us are advising against applying to conservatories. </p>

<p>None of us can really make that judgment, though, because we have not heard your music.</p>

<p>The best person to listen to your pieces and give you an idea of what you should be doing is a composition teacher (such as a professor at a college or conservatory prep teacher). Even seeing such a person once or twice for this purpose alone would be worthwhile.</p>

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<p>Compmom- Thanks for the info, I guess it really would be a good idea to find a composition teacher…or at least someone who could take a look at my compositions and provide feedback.</p>

<p>You mentioned showing my compositions to a professor at a college/conservatory…Do you have any advice on how I should do this? (which professors/colleges to contact, what I should expect from the professors, ect.) Would they be okay with me asking for feedback on compositions even though it would only be my first time contacting them?</p>

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<p>I meant a teacher in a college, conservatory, conservatory prep (weekend classes for kids and teens), or even a piano teacher locally who also teaches composition, who might work as a composition teacher for you.</p>

<p>I did not mean contacting a professor solely to evaluate your work, but only in the context of that professor or teacher serving as a paid teacher for you. Although some whom you contact may very well say they are too busy to teach you, but would be glad to listen to your music.</p>

<p>Are you near a college with a music department? Or a conservatory or other music school (for any ages)? Or could your piano teacher connect you with someone?</p>

<p>Your options with applications range from sending maybe one CD of a band piece as a supplement to a regular application for college, to sending 4 or 5 pieces with scores to conservatories. If you want to apply to a BA music program in a college, you may not need to find a teacher or stress a lot about getting a portfolio together.</p>

<p>However, if you want to apply to a conservatory, you honestly need to get going asap with both a teacher and preparing a portfolio.</p>

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<p>Oh, Okay.
I read somewhere in another thread about contacting professors but I guess that was something different.</p>

<p>I live pretty close to George Mason U, so I guess I’ll try that first.</p>

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<p>Composerguy, UVA has a number of composers among its music faculty and its undergraduate majors, and offers a PhD in composition. That means there are graduate student composers around, as well as the colloquia, performance opportunities, and such that support a grad program, which are always open to undergraduates as well. There is a particular emphasis on computer music at UVA though the various faculty have somewhat different individual interests. You can find out more about the program on the department’s website.</p>

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<p>Hello,
It’s been a while since I posted…been busy with school and stuff.
I was unable to get a composition teacher, but my band director and music theory teacher have agreed to look over my compositions and provide feedback (which I guess is the next best thing…)</p>

<p>Anyways, I finally have a list of colleges I’m looking into and I was wondering if you guys had any comments/feedback about any of the colleges on the list. (They’re sort of in order by my first pick, second, etc.)</p>

<p>Ithaca College
U. Mass Amherst
U. Hartford
SUNY Fredonia
Temple U
JMU
Westfield
Central Conn. SU
Montclair</p>

<p>Any feedback would be nice really…Even if it isnt necessarily related to the music department.</p>

<p>thanks</p>

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<p>Oh, and one more quick question:
Is there a significant difference between a Composition major and a major in music with a concentration in composition? I looked at the courses for some of the colleges and I didn’t notice any really big differences but I might have overlooked something…</p>

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<p>The best way to identify the differences is to compare the degree requirements side by side.</p>

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<p>often there are no real differences, simply an institutional administrative designation. Concur with violadad… look at the curriculum side by side to get a sense of the specific differences between specific programs.</p>

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<p>Western Conn State U is generally considered better for music than Central, although there are a couple of stellar people at Central. (Sorry, I have no info about composition at either…)</p>

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<p>Anyone have any info on NYU Steinhardt for composition? The program looks awesome “on paper”. My S has decided he wants to get into film scoring. NYU has a graduate program in scoring and undergrad courses that comp majors can take as electives. I know NYU itself is very competitive for admissions, but I would love to hear from any student or parent with actual experience there.</p>

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<p>Look for some past threads and posts by RichardHK. His son is a comp major there now, with a strong interest in film scoring. You might want to try a private message as well.</p>