<p>I have been composing since the fifth grade (I am an upcoming senior). Obviously I would not include every single piece I have composed since then in a potential portfolio, but I am not sure what I would include. I have seriously not thought about people other than peers playing my music so the majority of what I have written is for high-school level musicians (and the vast majority is for orchestra or string quartet). Until this year, I hadn't even considered composing anything more than an expressive hobby--I had no idea that I would be needing to compile my compositions for college. Any tips? I believe that for what they are, my pieces are solid and enjoyable to listen to--I'm just worried about the fact that none of my pieces are especially lengthy or challenging, and I have never had any formal composition training.</p>
<p>For a preview of my pieces, here is my Soundcloud:
<a href=“Stream jos_carter music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud”>https://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/jos_carter</a></p>
<p>Ignore the cheesy descriptions for my pieces, I’m working on that :-S </p>
<p>I listened to your soundcloud and like Omnipotence best, then Witching Hour. I am curious about your composition process: do you use a computer or write on paper? Have live musicians played any of these pieces? Does your high school orchestra have some excellent players, or do you have access to any really excellent players, whether for money or not?</p>
<p>You need a portfolio of 3-4 pieces for a conservatory/music school/BMprogram. You would use the pieces that best represent your development at this point. Many schools will say to include works of different genres but I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Submitting a piece for string quartet, for orchestra and one other piece that could be either or for different instrumentation would be fine. Often they will ask you to cue the three minutes you consider your best work.</p>
<p>It is important for you to know that for most college applications, for BA programs, you do NOT need a portfolio. You can, however, send in an optional supplement to the common application that could include a CD with one work (or two maybe, again, cued), a resume, concert programs, awards, and recommendations letter(s) from one or two teachers, and that is in addition to the academic letters required by the main common app. This supplement should only be done if you feel it adds to your chances.</p>
<p>Composers have many choices. You can focus on composition and music for a BM. You can do a general music major for a BA. In both these cases, you will also do music history, music theory, ethnomusicology, composition and some work with technology/electronics. </p>
<p>You can also major in just about anything and compose on the side (colleges will offer opportunities to get pieces played or you can make your own opportunities). Or, you can double major. Or, you can do a double degree, in schools that offer both BM and BA (for instance, campuses with both conservatory and college, like Bard, Oberlin, Lawrence, others, or colleges with joint programs w/separate conservatory, like Tufts or Harvard w/NEC). </p>
<p>There are schools like Bennington or Sarah Lawrence that allow for interdisciplinary/independent work that offer a lot of flexibility in study and personal attention. You do not have to have a long history of formal study to focus on composing at a school like Bennington, unlike a conservatory, and your musicality and creativity would be highly valued.</p>
<p>Here is a link about different choices in the study of music, though composers have wider choices in some ways than instrumentalists, and keep in mind that composing these days is often a long term study with grad school up through a PhD. <a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html”>http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html</a></p>
<p>Or maybe you want to keep it as a hobby! Will it ruin it for you or will formal study enrich what you are doing? The main focus these days is to develop an “individual voice” which can take many years for many students.</p>
<p>Are you familiar with the term “new music?” Have you listened to any 20th adn 21st century composers? I recommend Alex Ross’ book “The Rest is Noise.”</p>
<p>Since you are a senior, doing a summer program will not be possible before applications, but that is one way to get pieces played. Another way is to study with a teacher or in a program with access to excellent musicians. Are you close to a university or conservatory? </p>
<p>I strongly stronlgy recommend that you get yourself a teacher asap. It is not too late to benefit from a teacher, believe it or not. Conservatory applications are usually due Dec. 1, colleges Jan. 1 or 15.</p>
<p>A good teacher can evaluate what you are doing and help you make appropriate choices for applications. A teacher may also be of some assistance in finding ways to get pieces recorded.</p>
<p>With more specifics, we on the forum can offer suggestions for schools. Good luck!</p>
<p>You still have four months- that’s enough time to be able to get together some recordings and write another piece! @compmom had excellent suggestions, as always! I’ll second her on the listening (and score study); it’s really important to be aware of the music that’s being written around you & expose yourself to different stuff. Having live performers play your music is important, too; you need that aural feedback in order to grow as a composer and schools will want to see real recordings.</p>
<p>I plan on taking composition through UConn’s JOY! program this year, and I intend on double majoring as you said, in Music Composition and General Business Administration/Management.</p>
<p>I have asked a friend at Hartt if he could find anybody; I have him (a violinist) and a violist lined up for free, with a potential second violinist (another Hartt student and former orchestra-mate) who can play. What will be more difficult is finding an orchestra to play one of my pieces.</p>
<p>Sometimes your high school orchestra will oblige, depending on the match between the difficulty of your piece and their musicians. Good luck!</p>
<p>If you are going to double major in music and business, then you will be attending a college and, most likely, won’t need a portfolio. If you want to do a double degree, meaning BA and BM, then you will need a portfolio. I hope you get a chance to read that Peabody link if you want to do both areas of study.</p>
<p>It is still a great idea to get some good recordings, and Hartt musicians are an excellent resource of course! If you do end up doing a portfolio, you can submit chamber works with recordings done with live musicians and submit an orchestral score w/Midi. How great that you have volunteers…</p>
<p>I’m going to look up the JOY! program when I get a chance.</p>
<p>Sounds like lots of good things happening!</p>
<p>Yeah I got a late start but even if I don’t technically NEED a portfolio for college applications…I’ll need one sometime! :)</p>
<p>That’s right! The music department may want one at some point, and it helps to have pieces to give to teachers, whether in or out of school. But don’t stress too much about having 3-4. I think you can prioritize according to what you think is your best work and whether you can get the piece(s) played by really good instrumentalists. And you will continue to build a portfolio while at the same time you may feel your current pieces have become obsolete :)</p>