College auditions

My aspiration to study music came a little late in my high school career, and studying composition came even later. There is no music theory course at my school. Everything I know, I learned through independent study (my theory isn't actually that bad). When I read the audition requirements for colleges, and having to submit original compositions, and some that even ask for live recordings.

So I don't really know what to do. My compositions aren't that great, and I don't think I'm good enough for a performance major. Am I at a disadvantage (discovering this late, never being able to afford a private teacher or formal training), or did many people also discover themselves in this position in their senior year in school?

You could always apply to college as a different major, spend your freshman year honing your skills and getting your pieces recorded, then apply and audition for the music program the next year.

I also realized this my senior year in high school (now a freshman Music Education major). I wanted to major in Music Composition (I think I might double major), but I talked to my band director about this and he told me that it was best to go the education route because it was less competitve as far as getting a job and all that jazz. Now, don't get me wrong, I still compose music and will [hopefully] become a professional composer when I finish school. My recommendation for you would probably be to go safe and study music education and maybe switch majors when you feel you have honed your skills and feel comfortable enough to major in Music Composition.

Peace,

C.L. Winston

It depends on the school you are trying to go to. Some schools let anyone in as long as they can tap out middle C on the piano at their audition. Other schools want an audition to be a polished recital. If the school you want to go to is the latter, you aren't in the right place. If the school you want to go to is the former, hopefully it's a strong enough program to actually learn something.

Regarding theory, I went to a middle of the road school and I tested out of three semseters of theory just by reading those pocket music dictionaries in high school. I did attend a music prep program before college, but I didn't learn anything new in those theory classes. So, being self taught in theory might not be anything to worry about.

Don't worry about it dude. Even if you don't get in as a composition major as an undergraduate, there is graduate school. Do music ed, music performance, music theory, something, and then if you want to compose, graduate school is a good chance. Work hard and aim high :D

You're in the exact same position that I am in and I still have no idea how I'll pull it off. I really wish that I started learning music much sooner...

I just stayed undecided and talked to the head of the department...

DOFTS speaks wise words.

"Work hard and aim high"

Just thought I'd reinforce that idea.

I think some schools don't really force you to establish a particular "specialty" until the second or third year, or so. Of course that really depends on the school. For my school we had to have a specialty on an instrument or voice in order to get in, as well as write a theory test.

Nonetheless I think you have to do some performance for the first year of studies at least.

I entered as a performance major and auditioned for the comp program when I got here. It worked out pretty well. In any case, even comp majors don't start studying (here) until spring, so I didn't lose any time.