Essay on the Class Divide in Classical Music

compmom
Sat, 14 Sep 2019 10:34:07 +0000

I honestly think this is excessively negative, written by someone who gave up composing after undergrad. Composers in the best grad schools come from all kinds of backgrounds and schools. But admission is very very competitive.

The reason festivals are important is not to “spend one hour with” a famous composer. It is to get a piece played, well, and also to meet other composers from around the world. Over time, you build a global community. And a portfolio. You need 3-4 pieces to apply to grad school and some can get that at school, but many need to go to a festival.

To make it as a composer, most get PhD’s or DMA’s and funding is possible, albeit relatively low. This person gave up early. Perhaps wisely, depending on talent and expectations.

Admission competition for schools and festivals will give you a good idea on whether you should continue. That may sound harsh, but it’s true.

Composing orchestral works does not have to be the goal.

The points about adjuncts is spot on. The points about the entrepreneurship focus these days being a way to shift responsibility from institution to individual is interesting.

Establishment music is a business that is heavily dependent on audience tastes, which are often rigid and conservative. For composers, this is the biggest challenge. You might spend 6 months on a piece and 10 people come. There is always the Internet, these days.

Due to these marketplace pressures, academia remains one of the best ways to continue doing innovative work, for a composer. Granted, you may need a second job.

Some people CAN’T stop composing. Or playing, no doubt. For young people starting out, make sure to do some internships or other activities that build job skills (like running a school festival, doing outreach in schools, helping in the office at an orchestra, etc.).

Grad students generally get a lot of teaching experience.

Avoid debt. But also don’t expect to make a living composing, maybe ever.

Yes grants are important. Better yet, go to Europe. The US is terrible with funding for the arts.

There is a difference between constructive critique and bitterness and I think this falls into the latter.

And folks, musicians are way better off than dancers!!