Degree in Performance or Composition?

I have recently been accepted into my first choice of university for both Performance and Composition. I auditioned with two piano pieces and also submitted a composition portfolio. I talked with the advisors and they said that I could choose either performance or composition or I could do both if I wished. The problem is, I'm not sure which one to do.

Part of the issue is that I'm not exactly sure what the performance programs in most universities entail. I know for certain that I don't want to be a concert pianist. My ideal career is composing soundtracks for films, television, video games and the like. However, I've been playing the piano my whole life and I don't feel it would be right to simply drop the performance aspect of my musical experience.

I love playing the piano and I like performing, but I'm not really into the "competing against wunderkind ten-year-olds and practicing seven hours a day" aspect of performing.

Any suggestions for which degree I should pursue, or whether I should pursue both? Am I being too paranoid about the performance aspect?

My ideal career is composing soundtracks for films, television, video games and the like. ...I'm not really into the "competing against wunderkind ten-year-olds and practicing seven hours a day" aspect of performing.

I think you just answered your own question.

Don't abandon performing, just shift your focus.

I think you just answered your own question.

Don't abandon performing, just shift your focus.

How would I do that, degree-wise?

Well, you could possibly do Composition as a major, and then maybe Performance as a minor.

How would I do that, degree-wise?

Get a degree in composition.

But, if you want to perform, then do that too... but if you don't want a career as a player then don't bother getting a degree in it. Focus on the writing; but keep working on the playing.

Easy.

Get a degree in composition.

But, if you want to perform, then do that too... but if you don't want a career as a player then don't bother getting a degree in it. Focus on the writing; but keep working on the playing.

Easy.

That's a really good point. So you mean, play in more of a self-directed sort of way? Or continue with a private teacher?

That's a really good point. So you mean, play in more of a self-directed sort of way? Or continue with a private teacher?

Either / or.

You just don't really need a piece of paper confirming you can play, since it's not your main objective. Keep it up, play when you can/want but make career out of composing.

In most schools, students are expected to be competent performers, too, so I don't think it's a problem. :)

If you got a comp. degree, and minored in performance, you could really shine as a combination composer/pianist. That is, write your own music, AND perform it at concerts to get more recognition. And being a composer means you probably won't have the most stable income, so you can consider performing for a few extra bucks.

How are the programs for each at your school of choice?

Where I went to school, the composers received performance degrees first... then went on to get their graduate and doctoral degrees in composition at other schools. This is because the school where I went (and they received their B.M.'s) wasn't strong in composition, but they were still able to compose and get a portfolio ready for graduate study...

How are the programs for each at your school of choice?

Where I went to school, the composers received performance degrees first... then went on to get their graduate and doctoral degrees in composition at other schools. This is because the school where I went (and they received their B.M.'s) wasn't strong in composition, but they were still able to compose and get a portfolio ready for graduate study...

The composition program is fairly new, but the university has a good reputation for it already. In Western Canada it seems like composition has just been starting to catch on for the last couple years.

It seems like the standards here aren't quite as rigid as in other schools. For example, I auditioned with two grade 9 conservatory pieces and passed easily. The minimum for auditions is grade eight conservatory pieces. Most of the eastern Canadian music schools like McGill and U of T require at least grade 10 pieces.

The composition program is fairly new, but the university has a good reputation for it already. In Western Canada it seems like composition has just been starting to catch on for the last couple years.

It seems like the standards here aren't quite as rigid as in other schools.

Which school is it, if I may ask? I spent a semester in the composition program at UVic a year ago...

Which school is it, if I may ask? I spent a semester in the composition program at UVic a year ago...

University of Lethbridge.

University of Lethbridge.

:hmmm: Cool... :thumbsup:

Seems like a nice, small undergrad school. Hope it works well for you - whichever way you decide to go.

Robin said it best. Your goal is composing, hence you should choose composition. Just because you don't major in performance doesn't mean you can't perform anymore.

I was in a very similar situation. I have played the piano practically my whole life, but I'm not interested in being a concert pianist; I'm obsessed with film and I want to be a film composer, despite the risks.

At the advice of the department, I am double-majoring in composition and piano performance. It made sense in my case because since piano was my main instrument, there was a lot of overlap. So really for only a few more credit hours more it seemed foolish not to.

But every program is different. Either way, definitely don't drop the piano. Continue to study:)

In most schools, students are expected to be competent performers, too, so I don't think it's a problem. :)

Not at my school :)

Taking from a different perspective, i find composition to be a generalist field, where performance is more specific. While performance majors at my school can cite obscure repertoire, the comp majors focus on musicology and history with reference to rep.

Then again, I fail miserably at both, so what do I know...

I'm a performance major, but through being a performance major have learned a TON about composition. Don't go strictly one or the other--Figure out which one you want to spend the rest of your life doing and major in that. If you want to spend the rest of your life doing both, then do both! But I will echo the sentiments of the other members here--at LEAST keep one as a minor.

I doubled in both as an undergrad. I think they went wonderfully together - that's what I would recommend, but be aware that it takes more work. Also, it probably works better for someone who has composition as the higher priority.