<p>There are so many colleges with excellent music programs, and composers can consider music degrees with or without performance, unlike instrumentalists or vocalists. Some schools will have auditions, many colleges won’t. And some conservatories.music schools will require that the composer audition on an instrument, some won’t. Just research!</p>
<p>If the student doesn’t want conservatory, then I think he or she can apply to schools based on many criteria: location, size, academics, “vibe”, as well as the music dept.</p>
<p>Sometimes it is wise to apply to a variety of options if the student is undecided about what kind of degree to go for. Lots can change in a year. Then the final decision can be made in the spring of senior year.</p>
<p>Since Ivies were mentioned: Harvard has an excellent BA program in music. It is unusual for a BA program in that 50% (or even more) of a music major’s courses are actually in music. In some schools, you will find the major is 1/4-1/3 of course work. Also Harvard has fewer distribution requirements than Yale, for instance. These are some of the details to look into on websites.</p>
<p>Harvard has a double degree program with NEC as well. Tufts’ is a BA/BM and Harvard’s is a BA/MM. </p>
<p>While grad schools have definite aesthetics, we have found that at the undergrad level, that is less of an issue. For instance, at Harvard, the PhD program is considered Eurocentric (Oberlin undergrad and UCSD share this reputation) but the music classes for the BA are foundational and student composers are pretty diverse in their musical styles.</p>
<p>Also, do keep in mind that great teachers may not always have music that matches what the students want. A great teacher, regardless of his or her own style, is one who encourages a student to be him or herself. So, again, I think diversity in an undergrad concert is a good sign. (At the grad level, you would look for a closer match with faculty aesthetic I think.)</p>
<p>Look at whether or not a school has concerts for undergrad composers. But also know that information can be hard to find. Harvard does fund an undergrad composers group, including hiring excellent musicians, but this is through the Office of the Arts and the Music Department, both, not just through the Music Dept. </p>
<p>I think that going to concerts is a great way to evaluate schools, and websites are also essential resources.</p>