<p>Hi, So i am a composer who started studying with a private teacher last december. He informed me that i was extremely talented and that if i worked hard enough that i could get into any music school in the country. After several months of working very hard and researching schools i informed him that i wanted to apply to (Among other schools) New england conservatory, berklee and mannes college of music. He informed me that he has no doubt that i would get into berklee with a full scholarship and mannes with a substantial scholrship but that i had about a two percent chance of getting into new england because of politics. Sooo i'm a little confused, i understand that competion is fierce and that it will not be easy to get into any of these schools but all three schools accept around thirty percent of their aplicants and berklee is just as well known as new england conservatory. So i guess i have two questions:</p>
<p>First one, is it impossible for me to get into new england conservatory because of politics
And secondly, is berklee a good school for composition.</p>
<p>I am more of a classical Musician and not a jazz musician, I don't know how well i would fit into berklee.<br>
thanks
P.s. My audition portfolio will include a large scale symphonic lasting at least five minutes, I thought this would enhance my chances of getting into schools but now i'm not sure about that either.</p>
<p>After reading your post, my first suggestion would be to find a new teacher! I think he is way out of line telling you that you would get a full scholarship at Berklee(or anywhere else for that matter) unless he is the professor offering the money. Having been through this process, one of the first things we learned, is that MANY factors go into an acceptance/scholarship package. Yes, talent is at the head of the list, but so are a number of “other” things including academics and yes, even politics.</p>
<p>Do you live close enough to NEC to do any of the prep programs? How about summer programs? This might give you a better understanding of their program and also allow their composition staff to see your works before you apply. Many times, I think what is seen as “politics” is more of a familiarity with applicants (or their teachers) and their work through prep programs/summer camps or local youth orchestras.</p>
<p>Is this teacher on the faculty of any of those schools? I would also be concerned about any teacher that would say such a thing. Are you a junior? There are many talented young composers out there. I think some of admissions depends upon how many spots there are that year. I think you should look at schools because you are excited about because of who is teaching there. Are there composers at Berkely you admire? My son is a classical composer and Berkely was not a school he considered because for him he did not feel it was a place for classical composers. </p>
<p>I would write a symphony because you want to write a symphonic work at the time rather than because you think it would help your portfolio. I know my son was encouraged to show in his portfolio that he could write for diverse instrumentation and in diverse styles and decided to put his sketches for a symphonc work aside for the portfolio in order to have more time to compete and get some smaller chamber pieces done and performed by professional musicians. Good luck.</p>
<p>I agree that this is an odd thing for your teacher to tell you. I’m wondering if the “politics” is that he has an enemy there. Even if that is true, I wouldn’t think that would impact your chances of getting in. I would take these comments with a huge grain of salt.</p>
<p>I was unaware that Nostradamus was alive and well and teaching compositon. Those are remarkable comments for a teacher to make to any student, but particularly one with whom he had worked for less than 4 months. As for Berklee, they offer majors in composition, contemporary writing and jazz composition. Whether or not any of these programs would be suitable can probably be determined by reference to the online catologue/web page. The full rides are referred to as “Presidential Scholarships” and approximately 6-7 are handed out each year. They also award Composition and Contemporary writing scholarships, but I believe these are capped at $8000 per year. I leave Mannes to a more knowledgeable source, but my impression is that large awards in any of the New School programs are rare. I have no idea what politics your instructor is referring to, or the formula he used to arrive at his 2% calculation, but I would note that Democrats have historically done well in Boston.</p>
<p>I am not an expert on composition and I am concerned that your teacher would tell you that. Did he say what he meant? Was it because, for example, you write in a particular style and he felt that the faculty there would not like that style (for example, a composition program that was heavily weighted towards 12 tone/second viennese style of music faced with someone who wrote neo classical or neo romantic pieces), or that teachers there didn’t like him?</p>
<p>My advice to you would be, if you think NEC would be a place you would want to go, to apply there and see what happens. Teachers are human, they have biases, and it could be he is holding a grudge, maybe a student of his he thought highly of was rejected, maybe he was rejected, you don’t really know…and quite frankly, while i have no doubt politics exists out there (few human endeavors are without that), or that things happen in the world of music schools and music that are based in that, I question how he would even know that, enough to tell a student that? </p>
<p>Put it this way, as thread on thread on here says, getting into a particular program is a crap shoot; there are people who don’t stand a chance, who simply don’t have the skills or ability to get into certain programs, but above that threshold it often boils down to serendipity with any program, so many factors effect admission or rejection that it is unwise to make assumptions, like whether you will or won’t get into any school. </p>
<p>Berklee prob wouldn’t be the place for you, if you are into classical music, it is oriented towards Jazz and modern music from what I know. What I recommend doing is put together your portfolio (others with knowledge of composition can tell you more about the process), and find schools at various levels you might want to try, and go for it.</p>
<p>Side note - don’t limit yourself to 3 schools! We were at USC (Thornton) a couple of weeks ago for a tour of and they were working on a full scale student score. SO impressed, both in the ability of the musicians and the composer. There were 2 student composers on our tour that day as well. I am sure there are more than a few great composition programs out there.</p>
<p>Another thought on NEC: try to get a lesson with one of the composer faculty. S had great feedback and learning from a few instrumental lessons he took as a Junior while searching out schools.</p>
<p>PS: agree about Berklee - great for jazz or contemp. musicians, vocalists, songwriters. Classical?</p>
<p>Search this forum for threads on composition and read those. Also - we have a number of very informed students/parents/adults here that can answer your questions about composition study as you explore. You can PM as well.</p>
<p>Berklee does have a different vibe from NEC. Plus, Berlee is large. Those who love Berklee thrive on its size and diversity. NEC is quite a bit smaller and more academic. The composition department at NEC considers itself classical and contemporary. As far as portfolio goes, there should be diversity of instrumentation. Scale is less important. The composition programs want to see talent, potential, and the beginnings of finding your own voice. Sorry that your teacher felt the need to express himself like he did. This is a hard enough process without unfounded opinions being aimed at you. Good Luck.</p>
<p>Step one, find a new teacher. His comments are ill-informed, inappropriate and unfounded. I agree with those who say he sounds like he has some “bad blood” with NEC, but that is no excuse for such irresponsible comments. </p>
<p>You will need someone who is knowledgable, reasonable and supportive throughout the college application process, and this sounds like the tip of the iceberg of bad advice with this guy. </p>
<p>As for Berklee specifically, he may be going by Berklee’s reputation of many years ago, when students didn’t even need to audition. It has gotten much more competitive, although like others have said, it may not even be the right school for you.</p>
<p>These pages are full of students, all with great teachers and advice, who were still surprised by where they were accepted, where they weren’t, and how much scholarship money they did or didn’t receive.</p>
<p>Thank you guys soo much for the feedback!! It’s really helpful. To be honest i live in a town of thirty thousand. He’s the best teacher in town soo i really don’t feel that i can find another teacher of his caliber even though he’s kinda wierd. </p>
<p>With the berklee scholarship stuff, ha had a student who applied rather recently and recieved a full scholarship… He informs me that i am better…not really sure about that.</p>
<p>New england conservatory is where i have wanted to study practically since forever… I just love the school and i am going to apply there!! I might get accepted and i might not…who knows… plus i am classically trained and i really dont think i would be a good fit at berklee…</p>
<p>oohh. and just fyi im applying to these schools: New england, berklee, schulich school of music,lynn conservatory, purchase conservatory and several others</p>
<p>northcomposer, if at all possible, I think you should try to get a lesson with an NEC teacher. (Warning - NEC is the only place my S had to pay for a trial lesson). It would be helpful in several ways - to get an opinion about the level of your work, to get feedback as to whether or not you might fit in with what and how they teach, and to see if you click with the teacher.</p>
<p>It’s a great idea to get lessons if possible at all your schools, but since you want to go to NEC, and have this red flag waving at you, this one seems more important than most.</p>
<p>(My S was not a composition major, but had a strong interest in composition. At his auditions, several of the teachers talked with him about his composing. In the end, one teacher who taught at two different schools he was applying to, strongly encouraged him to attend one over the other, and explained it was because he thought S would be happier with the composition department there, even though it wasn’t his major. Turned out to be great advice.)</p>
I’m sorry, but you need someone in your camp on this, and the process ahead, and this guy isn’t it. You don’t want to be second-guessing his advice/comments through your entire portfolio prep, submission, waiting, interviews, and final decision!</p>
<p>Can you start by contacting universities reasonably nearby to see if there’s a prof who can adopt you? You could have some of your discussions about the work by skype, use dropbox to share midi, and take trains or something for periodic in person meetings, etc.</p>
<p>He might have done you a favor. Your list is very diverse and you will visit a variety of price range schools and meet students and faculty of varying levels of experience and interests. You might look at UNCSA and Ithaca also for a more classical approach. You can still apply to NEC. I am sure he would love to be wrong if you get in and it is affordable for you to attend. Also, if for some reason you start out at Berklee, you can still take classes and possibly ultimately matriculate to NEC once in the Boston consortium. A lot of teachers encourage Berklee because it is what they know. It doesn’t really make him a bad teacher, maybe a bit jaded or maybe just inexperienced with unique students such as yourself. Good luck!</p>
<p>The Vermont MIDI program - a program for young composers - is now expanding to other states. Young composers can work online with professional and collegiate composers, and have their works performed and recorded. Sounds like a great opportunity for young composers who do not live near a major music center. They’re changing their name to Music-Comp as they expand. New website: [Music-COMP</a> - Music Composition Online Mentoring Program](<a href=“http://www.music-comp.org/]Music-COMP”>http://www.music-comp.org/) Original website: [Vermont</a> MIDI Project](<a href=“http://www.vtmidi.org/]Vermont”>http://www.vtmidi.org/)
Generally students get involved through their schools - however: Students who are homeschooled or attend a school that does not participate in Vermont MIDI Project may sign up as an Independent Study student fr online mentoring and project benefits such as live performance opportunities. Contact Project Coordinator Sandi MacLeod for more information and the participation agreement.</p>