<p>How would we find a composition instructor for our son?</p>
<p>Do you have a university or conservatory anywhere within a two hour drive? If so, if you contact their composition department they can put you in touch with composers who offer private instruction. You could also contact musicians you know (or know of) in your area and they may know composers who offer lessons. That is how we found my son’s first teacher. If your son is involved with an orchestra you could talk to the conductor, or executive director for referrals. Even if the composer is as far away as two hours or more, your son only needs to meet with them twice (or even once) a month.</p>
<p>There is a poster on this board whose son took composition lessons with a professor he’d met at a summer program - via Skype. The professor was in New York, the student in the midwest, if I remember right. (I’m starting to get everyone jumbled together!)</p>
<p>Just be prepared for some major excitement from your son once he starts working one on one with someone! And getting his pieces performed.</p>
<p>I sent you a private message.</p>
<p>I also sent you a PM</p>
<p>We couldn’t find an in-town (Springfield, MO) composition instructor for our son. We were able to arrange phone/email instruction through the Conservatory of Music and Dance at UMKC (Univ Missouri-Kansas City). He submits compositions via email and has a 30 minute phone meeting every two weeks with a professor at the Conservatory. It has been a good program for us. </p>
<p>It was arranged through their Community Music and Dance Academy</p>
<p>[Programs:</a> Private Lessons - Community Music and Dance Academy](<a href=“http://conservatory.umkc.edu/cmda/cmda-content.cfm?L1ID=7]Programs:”>http://conservatory.umkc.edu/cmda/cmda-content.cfm?L1ID=7)</p>
<p>Thank you everybody. I have some leads now. I appreciate the help. This is a great site.</p>