I think your son has it backwards about the musical integrity of film scoring - it’s more often a way to compromise as a composer. Also, there’s no particular reason to major in scoring as an undergrad - that tends to happen later. Best to just get a firm grounding in the fundamentals. And network. If he decides he’s determined to go for tech work, he could use his gap year to learn computer editing programs and sound engineering. Here’s an example of one of the few undergraduate programs in scoring: https://sfcm.edu/tac
Thanks, @SpiritManager . I really have no idea, but I can imagine that what you said about compromise is probably true most of the time. And I also agree about getting the fundamentals down well. He just had his H.S. graduation today, and he’s exhausted (as am I), so I think he needs some time to rest and re-assess and think about how he wants to proceed from here. My understanding at this point is that he only knows that he wants to write and play music, and to get as good at it as he possibly can–I think he’s thinking about film-scoring more in terms of a way to earn a living (very difficult to do that, I know!) through music.
I don’t think that the thought of grad school has even really entered his mind yet, but when he’s feeling a little more focused I’ll bring it up with him again.
And thanks for the link; I’ll take a look!
Has he signed the deferral contract yet? Glad he is taking things slow!
He signed and sent the contract back last week.