I want to pursue an undergraduate degree in music composition and both of these schools have been equally thrown at me for references. I know they are both great schools but which one would be better to pursue Music Composition successfully?
Apply to both. I think they both have a sub 5% admit rate. I think Curtis is free (at least it used to be). A friend attended Curtis after Yale, and then Juilliard.
Both colleges are extremely selective, and if you’re interested in music you should apply to both. I rarely hear of people who get into Juiliard and Curtis, but those who do usually choose Curtis.
The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia is almost free. I believe that costs are about $2,300 per academic year plus room & board of about $13,500 per academic year. All music all the time.
Juilliard School charges about $45,000 per academic year & also offers acting. It is a visual & performing arts school.
Both have very low acceptance rates (below 5%).
You should also check out New England Conservatory for composition. It has a great history and is a wonderful place.
@Publisher Juilliard is not a “visual” arts school. Juilliard has programs in music, theater, and dance, but not visual arts. Juilliard does offer financial aid and its COA can be equal or less than Curtis’, depending on circumstances.
That is Juilliard’s description of the Juilliard School. In fact, the Juilliard School claims that 98% of its students major in “Visual and Performing Arts”.
With respect to financial aid, 74% of Juilliard Students receive an average aid package of $32,644. This can include loans.
You had better pursue BOTH due to very low acceptance rates at both schools. It would be a tad silly to pursue just one. I would suggest researching the other excellent music schools/conservatories with composition. Many students apply to 4 to 8 schools to assure an acceptance.
Edit: and the 4 - 8 is assuming high musical talent with teachers aiding in school selection to assure a good chance at an acceptance.
Do you know who is on the faculty of each? You should.
Apply to both and plenty of others.
These are the two most selective conservatories, as others have said, with very different vibes.
I would say that Juilliard might be better for grad school. Curtis has a cozy physical environment. Both are very rigorous. Faculty are important to listen to. I believe Curtis still has Higdon and Danielpour and tends toward more tonal works, and emphasis on orchestral works perhaps. Juiliard has Corigliano, Adler, Rouse, Beaser, Wagner, others…
Who are your favorite composers and what sort of aesthetic do you prefer?
Noone should ONLY apply to these schools! Some years Juilliard takes one undergrad, sometimes not even one. Probably the same for Curtis.
Composers have many options for undergrad and they can all lead to grad work and doctoral. So you may want to think about the different ways to study music and composition in those years. I would suggest reading the Double Degree Dilemma essay posted closer to the top of this forum.
Composers can get a BA rather than BM and attend a college or university that doesn’t have a conservatory of school of music. They can even major in something else entirely, or double major or major/minor. You can also consider a double degree program, usually a BA/BM but Harvard and NEC have a BA/MM program.
Some BA programs will have a performance component and others will have entirely extracurricular performance. Some will have a composition strand, others will be more general. Some will have auditions but most have auditions in the fall for extracurriculars and you can instead submit a music supplement to the common application with music resume, recording, letters of recommendation from teachers etc.
An argument can be made that getting a broad education in art, literature, science, history and other topics ultimately helps a composer. Other arguments can be made in favor of immersion in music.
For grad school you will need 3-4 pieces to submit. Summer programs can be very helpful.
Good luck!
Juilliard FA is need-based. They have very limited “merit” awards. Curtis is free tuition. Both are highly competitive. When they post that 74% get aid, be sure to realize 26% do not. I know several students who did not qualify for any aid at J. They could not afford to go and went with other options. I agree with @glassharmonica , no visual arts at J.