College Discussion - View Single Post

compmom · 04-22-2008, 07:05 AM

I'm curious, why isn't your daughter looking at conservatories? There are a range of conservatory environments, from free-standing, to part of a college or university (on the main campus or separate),to cross-registration with nearby colleges or universities, and so on. Would your daughter be pursuing a BA or BM degree?

Applying to a college or university for composition will mean doing the usual application plus an optional mailing of score or CD, maybe a list of compositions so far, concert programs, maybe a music resume, music letters of recommendations...separate from the main application. It is us to you, there are no rules. Our daughter only sent one score/CD, mainly out of courtesy, not wanting to overwhelm admissions.

Applying to a conservatory, our daughter had to submit a portfolio of up to 4 scores with CD's. The CD's were all of pieces played by professional musicians. In one case we hired the musicians, in two cases they were provided, and in one case our daughter received a commission. In any case, many schools won't accept a midi recording or Finale or whatever. One school requires at least one hand-written score.

The submission of the portfolios with applications was due 12/1. In late Feb. and early March this was followed by visits to the schools for "auditions," which, in composition, meant 3 hour exams, interviews (4 in a row at one school), and/or overnight composition exercises.

I believe that, at most colleges/universities there would be no audition, or music interview, unless it is a Bachelor of Music program.

Many colleges do have composition strands within the music major. People do go on to graduate school from colleges, to do the MM or MA for composition. It can be a difficult conflict for kids, whether to do conservatory or college. The Peabody Institute site has a great piece of writing on this topic.

04-22-2008, 07:05 AM	#4
compmom Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Threads: 5 Posts: 137	I'm curious, why isn't your daughter looking at conservatories? There are a range of conservatory environments, from free-standing, to part of a college or university (on the main campus or separate),to cross-registration with nearby colleges or universities, and so on. Would your daughter be pursuing a BA or BM degree? Applying to a college or university for composition will mean doing the usual application plus an optional mailing of score or CD, maybe a list of compositions so far, concert programs, maybe a music resume, music letters of recommendations...separate from the main application. It is us to you, there are no rules. Our daughter only sent one score/CD, mainly out of courtesy, not wanting to overwhelm admissions. Applying to a conservatory, our daughter had to submit a portfolio of up to 4 scores with CD's. The CD's were all of pieces played by professional musicians. In one case we hired the musicians, in two cases they were provided, and in one case our daughter received a commission. In any case, many schools won't accept a midi recording or Finale or whatever. One school requires at least one hand-written score. The submission of the portfolios with applications was due 12/1. In late Feb. and early March this was followed by visits to the schools for "auditions," which, in composition, meant 3 hour exams, interviews (4 in a row at one school), and/or overnight composition exercises. I believe that, at most colleges/universities there would be no audition, or music interview, unless it is a Bachelor of Music program. Many colleges do have composition strands within the music major. People do go on to graduate school from colleges, to do the MM or MA for composition. It can be a difficult conflict for kids, whether to do conservatory or college. The Peabody Institute site has a great piece of writing on this topic.