<p>Lencias, sorry if my comments made things sound more complicated. I am reluctant to write any more, but just a few clarifications/comments and that will be all from me. </p>
<p>When I mentioned safety school or a plan B, I meant something that would be more of a sure thing, some much easier-to-get-into program than the ones you have listed. I just read a little about that Recording Arts program and according to information in the FAQ section, they accept roughly 25% of the applicants. That to me is not a safety, as it may be just as difficult to get into as the other programs, it is just a different kind of program. </p>
<p>Are you considering the voice lessons because you are going to have to do auditions at some of these schools when applying to the composition/computer music programs or because you are serious about vocal performance and want to study that in college as well as composition? No matter what, I have very little knowledge on issues having to do with vocal study or auditions, but a lot of other people who post here are very knowledgable in that area. </p>
<p>As to the potential value of a private composition instructor, I tried to emphasize that this would NOT be mainly about getting a recommendation, but that you could learn a lot from the right teacher, and this might result in your developing more as a composer, even in six months and maybe having a better portfolio for your college applications. And even if schools on the list accept midi format for compositions, that may be the minimum accepted. A lot of applicants will be doing more (e.g., having their compositions performed). </p>
<p>Now I may be totally wrong, but you sound like someone with a greater interest in commercial/mainstream music than contemporary classical music or experimental (?) computer music. When I suggested you listen to the compositions of professors and past/present students in those programs you have chosen, I did not mean just those who had commercial success like the people you mentioned. I agree with stephmin’s comment in her first post on this thread, that with the exception of Berklee, the other schools you are considering “will be solely focused on creating ‘art music’. Commercial or anything remotely similar to any type of mainstream music (including but not limited to pop, rock, folk, film, video game, and occasionally even jazz) is not what is taught, and in many cases even so far as looked down upon.” </p>
<p>So you also might want to try to identify more schools that are similar to Berklee in including a commercial music focus. There are probably threads on this site that list such schools. </p>
<p>And I also strongly disagree with the idea that “with composition, it’s much more instinctual, and its something that can’t be learned.” But I guess you don’t really believe that either, since you are intending to major in composition.</p>