So…I am a senior in high school and my top choice for college is California State University, Long Beach. However, my questions may apply to other CSUs as well–I am unsure. If I do not get into CSULB, I will most likely attend a different CSU. I do not know how similar or different the musical composition programs are throughout the Cal State schools. I want to major in geography, but I also really want to do music in my college career. I have been playing guitar my whole life–basically since I was three-years-old. I have a particular interest in metal and rock, however, I also like to play acoustic ballads. I have been writing music for a long time, and I have always loved it. I want to compose music in college, but I’m worried I will have to know sheet music. Like most guitarists, I can barely read sheet music and I have always relied on tabs. And while I’m in jazz band in high school and love jazz, I do not want to be forced to write only jazz songs for my college career. I love classical music too, but I have far less experience in classical music than jazz. I know that music classes in college often focuses on these two musical genres, so I am worried my rock and metal songwriting capabilities will not be able to shine.
In conclusion, my questions are: 1) Do I need to know sheet music to minor in composition? 2) How much freedom do students have in their songwriting? 3) Is the class solely focused on jazz and or classical music?
Side Note: Music is my passion, but songwriting, in particular, has been my passion since I was a little kid. I do not only write songs for guitar, I write full songs with drums, bass, and vocals. Throughout my high school career, I have had a really hard time finding talented musicians who are interested in metal, as I am. It has been my dream to find other musicians who could form a band with me. I am hoping that in college, even if I don’t end up minoring in composition, I will be able to find other talented musicians with a particular expertise in rock and metal. Do you think I will manage to meet anybody?
Thanks!