My dilemma as a high school senior

Also, to the person who was considering Berklee.... no. lol. All I'm going to say is no. No no. No Berklee. I know a few teachers at Berklee and even they tell me not to go there. It's a school for people who want to major in pop, rock, rap, and jazz mostly. Even if it doesn't look like that. You aren't going to be happy with the atmosphere if you are a classically trained musician.

Hmm... I didn't mention Berklee, but I think that's interesting. I thought they would be more well rounded (considering that I saw they offer a major in film scoring - is that a major?). This jazz genius from my school is going there, so this seems more like the case.

Nathan Madsen: Thanks for the advice! I have begun to compose, and, well, I've never been satisfied with anything I've written, except now, but only remotely :P I plan on continuing this. I hope to be doing a lot in the next days, weeks, and months. And I hope to put it up here so you guys can critique it!

I actually consider myself quite proficient in Finale (and Sibelius a little, but it frustrates me -- and even Lilypad! But don't et me started), because I've arranged a lot of pieces for my school orchestra, so learning the software definitely shoudn't be my focus right now. I've been experimenting with audio lately; EWQLSO Gold, many, many other VSTs, CUBASE (WOW I have fun with this program), and Sound Forge + Vegas (greatest program ever made?). I even used to use Reason, but I decided I wasn't into making beats and completely synthesized music. That's why Cubase is so fun :)

Copying manuscripts in Finale... that might be rewarding to try doing. If the oppurtunity ever came - in college - I'd totally do it.

Yeah, you can major in film scoring at almost any music school now. There are some classical musicians at Berklee, but I wouldn't recommend it. I know all the times that I went there, I saw a complete lack of classical musicians. They have a major in flipping jazz violin if I recall correctly..!

I have two friends that went to Berklee and it is heavily weighted towards the commercial, pop, jazz realm of professional music. If that is what you want to do, then go for it! There are some compositional teaching going on, but if you're wanting to do more classical (or traditional work) then you might be better suited at a strong music school with a great comp faculty.

One side note on schools: Sure, picking your school is important, but I don't think it is as important as some might state. Some schools have such great reps that you're paying a ton of money for the name instead of the education, just like buying name brand jeans over the cheaper brand. They're both jeans. My advice: look at the faculty and the type of environment you're going to be in. Finally the most important fact (and MANY people simply over look this) is what you're going to get out of your education is directly related to what you put into it. I didn't go to an awesome music school for undergrad, but I worked my butt off and really took in everything I could. My roommate did so as well, and went on to do his masters and PhD at Eastman. So it's more about finding a great prof that can push you and work with you and putting everything you have into your learning. It's not simply a matter of "you have to go to school A because everyon thinks its good." In fact for some schools, undergrad is a waste of time. Prime example: UNT in Denton TX. A GREAT jazz school, but I've been told by many faculty that teach there "don't go here until a masters or doctorate." Otherwise you'll probably be only taught by TAs and one of the many, many fish in the sea. You wouldn't get the personal one on one attention that you might get from another school with a better student to faculty ratio. (Of course, if you're freakin' amazing...you do...but I'm babbling)

Things to consider.

That's a good point. The problem is that I have no idea what schools have good composition program. And I don't know where to start!

sigh... I'm the same as all of the above. I'm going into Grade 11 next year. I've played the piano for 11 years and the Clarinet for 6. I'm a section leader in the senior concert band, and I am the leader of the band exec. I also play in our jazz band, and I'm a senior member there. I really do want to continue with music, either composition or performance... but I don't know what the future holds, really. I will look at the above mentioned threads, and hope :laugh: good luck to me and all of the other musical people with no clue :P

I agree with Nathan. The most important thing is going to a school with the person you want to study with. The reason I want to go to RSAMD is to study with Stephane Rancourt, an amazing oboist. I'm not going to go to Juilliard because of it's rep. I would go to Juilliard to study with one of the faculty members.