| Our daughter wasn't doing anything really as a sophomore, in terms of composing. She was taking a very basic theory class at our small, poor quality public school, which led to some piano lessons w/ a theory/composition slant. (She also had played clarinet and guitar for a long time, but not at all conservatory level)
Due to her budding interest in composition, we did make some calls, based on references from the piano teacher, and found a mentor who had a lot of resources (the mentor is a college music prof.) So, in ONE year, she learned a lot about composing from this man, and he found ways to have her music played.
In the last 2 years of high school she did take a theory class on Saturdays.
We were advised by these teachers to get things played and taped, and we were grateful for this advice once the application process started, because she already had 3 good tapes, and them made a last one in Jan. of her senior year, when a quartet played it.
So, your daughter is ahead of ours at this point, in terms of time, if you want to put it that way. Our daughter is not a prodigy, but found something she really loved to do, and feels lucky.
The whole college versus conservatory decision can be hard. I was just trying to describe the process involved in applying, ahead of time, because noone told us!
During high school, anything can happen, I think. The theater kid can all of a sudden do music, the athlete stars in the musical, subtle talents blossom unexpectedly, and it is a wonderful thing, that we don't have to do anything about except facilitate when it happens! |