Any suggestions of good second-tier music schools to include in the application for a BM/ BA in music composition? S’s high school is restricting university application to a maximum of 10 institutes so would like to explore some ‘safety’ options.
We’d need to know a lot more about what your son is looking for to make recommendations. There are many wonderful choices out there including non audition BA’s in music at LACs and universities. And then there are off the radar programs at schools like Univ of Montana and UNLV just to name two off the top of my head. He could probably choose a number of safety schools in terms of grades/scores/finances that appeal for various reasons to him and then check out the music department.
@SpiritManager Thanks for your recommendations! Names of institutes are helpful as a starting point for S’s research in the following months before application starts in the Fall.
For information not on the schools’ website, is it good for a student to call the admissions office directly (I heard that emails are not usually responded to in a timely manner)?
The chair of the music dept or composition program will be more helpful than admissions. There truly are dozens of pathways for your son for composition for undergrad. Grad school is where the choices may narrow. Definitely check out your state schools and ones where his grades/scores and the finances seem like a safety. No need to only look at the schools usually mentioned here. Because composers are happy to have a steady academic job there are interesting composers to be found all across the country. I just threw those two out there. I could list dozens of others. Of all types.
If your son was not interested in pursuing composition where would he be looking? What kind of atmosphere would he like to spend the next four years inhabiting?
Never thought of the question you raised about where he would be looking if he wasn’t interested in pursuing composition - I just took his endeavor in music for granted as his life has literally been revolving around it - school orchestra (percussion), jazz ensemble (pianist), pre-college music composition program, summer music institutes…
For the choice of schools, we also see universities in Canada as possible options. He joined a music institute in Vancouver for 2 summers when he was in junior high and liked the music scene there.
By the way, how does PM work in CC? I’d like to give more personal details and ask more specific questions.
I sent you a PM. You should be able to respond. Not sure of the rules for those relatively new to CC.
Have you or has he read the Double Degree Dilemma essay posted at the top of this music forum? The most basic question, particularly for a composer, is whether a BA, BM, or double degree. That essay really covers all the ways to study music. I will PM you also.
Also is he involved in jazz?
I do not know what “second tier” means in terms of music schools, but my alma mater Luther College has a very good composition program and an incredible music program!
Compojazzmom, apparently CC went back to a policy of users needing to be junior members (15 posts) to write private messages. Not sure you can receive them or not. Let us know!
Got the private messages. Thanks so much!