<p>So let's say one were interested in ultimately pursueing a career in music potentially, specifically music composition. Let's say they wanted to attend a conservatory for a masters or a phd, but didn't want to or couldn't attend a conservatory as undergrad (not for lack of talent, just lack of ambition to audition). I understand acceptance into grad school would be based largely on a portfolio and/or audition, but which of these two options would be most likely to help them on this way?</p>
<p>choice A: Attend a top-notch university that has a very strong conservatory on campus that is well-known particularly for music composition. The student would not be a student of the conservatory but could take classes there. No BA in music is offered. (e.g. Rice)</p>
<p>choice B: Attend a top-notch university that is just okay for composition and maybe not so good for performance but is known for musicology. The student could theoretically get a BA in music and would have as strong an access to professors as anyone, since there are no conservatory students to compete against. (e.g. Cornell)</p>
<p>I realize there may be other options that would be better, such as dual enrollment into a conservatory and a university, but just between these two options, which would be better?</p>
<p>You would need to check out your options at specific schools. Some university music programs (conservatory type programs within a university...Rice, BU for example) have VERY limited course offerings for students who are not admitted music majors. Also, applied faculty (for instruments or composition) for non-majors could be graduate students instead of the tenured faculty at these schools. I'm not sure about grad programs, but the undergrad programs with which I have familiarity require an audition on some instrument or voice for ALL music majors (composition included). If this is the case in grad school, then in undergrad you would have to continue studies in that regard as well. I guess my biggest question...if you lack the ambition to audition as an undergrad, what would change that picture for you as a grad?</p>
<p>A graduate composition major will not likely have to audition in a performance medium, but they will need good keyboard and reading skills. Musicology is a quite a different area of musical study, more music history and world music, as well as theoretical treatise study. A student of composition should aspire and plan to study with a teacher whose musical output is inspirational to the student. If the in house composition teachers are much more conservative or much more avant garde than the aspiring student, perhaps it will not be a successful relationship. An undergraduate music program serves to teach the basic musical skills needed to efficiently notate and accurately present ones own musical inspirations, as well as the knowledge of the various mediums (instrumental and vocal capabilities) to make it accessible to performers. However do you think you can accomplish that without doing the groundwork?</p>
<p>It's not so much as I lacked ambition to audition, but I didn't want to limit myself to a conservatory, since I'm not 100% certain music will pan out for me. But if I had gone for music schools, I probably could have gotten into a very good one for performance (you'll just have to trust me on that).</p>
<p>From what I can tell, Rice seems to only have a couple of classes that are limitted to music majors only. Non-music majors are allowed to take any history class or X instrument for non-majors class they want. But then again, I've never been a student there so maybe you have a point about grad students. Are you saying this specifically of Rice or just as a generalization?</p>
<p>As to lorelei's question...I'm not entirely certain. One of the reasons I didn't select to be considered for a composition major is that I haven't been presented with that many opportunities for music comp, and all I really know is that I have some musical thoughts in my head and that I would like to learn how to put them into music.</p>
<p>"I have some musical thoughts in my head"....what does this mean? Do you conceive melodies, sounds, rhythmic interactions, musical forms? Music theory is the core tool to notation, but more contemporary expressions of music go far beyond what is taught there. I have often thought that percussionists are the most sophisticated musicians in terms of sound and timbre explorations....the whole world can be their instrument. In that sense, degrees in ethnomusicology and percussion would combine beautifully to explore all the sound making possibilities. There are various musical programs which can help with notation of more traditional musical ideas. Working with an experienced composition teacher would open all the vistas necessary. Most would be available for private study, so perhaps you could explore that before you decide on an undergraduate major. Good luck. Lorelei</p>
<p>Hmm...I'm not quite sure exactly what I mean, either. I guess more in a timbre sense...like I have ideas of instrument sounds and combos that I want to combine; less so with actual melodies i have conceived and want to put into music (that would be pretty easy). Eh, it probably won't matter anyway. Thanks, though.</p>
<p>To be clear, when I referred to musical programs, I meant computer programs. I hope you find a wonderful outlet for all of your creative energy and ideas. Remember that music can be a part of your life no matter your career, and I believe that it can be liberating to your musicality not to have to depend upon it for your livelihood! Many good wishes to you and for your future. Lorelei</p>
<p>Thanks for your support. That's (one reason) why I didn't audition for conservatories. But let's say (hypothetically, because this isn't true) that I felt exactly the same about the two schools and still wanted to pursue music as a hobby/almost-maybe-career-i-don't-know kind of thing, would you have any suggestion either way? If you say both are about equal choices, that's fine, too.</p>
<p>Pick the one where you will have the best opportunities to hone your music/music composition skills IF you intend to apply to a graduate program in music. Because program qualities vary so much, I don't think any of us can tell you which is "better" because we don't know the specific schools or the types of classes you could take within the music school (e.g. Rice...I do, however, believe that their music majors get first preference in all classes at the Shepard School). It is important for you to improve your skills because when/if you DO apply to a music program, you will be competing with tons of other students who have been doing this as undergrads in some very fine programs. Good luck to you...I know this is a hard decision.</p>
<p>Thanks. As I mentioned, there is one that I actually kinda prefer already, i just didn't want to make a mistake. Weather: I'm from the Northeast and I'm okay with it, but then again I sleep with about 5 blankets so I think Texas would be nice too. Thanks again.</p>