College

Well I'm a sophomore and my parents (and me too, as well as the school) say it's time to start looking at where I might want to go for college. Since I'm 1st chair All-State I have all in-state tuition payed for, but I don't neccisarily want to go in-state (Kentucky doesn't have the best music schools..)

So my question is what are some good colleges for composition and/or performance?

I've heard that you don't usually go to undergrad for composition (can anyone explain why?) so I'll probably go for music performance (as well as something in technology [computer related] subject as a fall back i.e. networking and such) so what are some good colleges for musical performance? and good composition schools?

I've done a little research myself but (i'm probably searching the wrong things) everytime I search "music colleges" I come up with things like "ITT Technical Institute" and such.

thanks,

-Mathieu

I'm not the best person to answer this, since I didn't apply to the schools that I applied to based on music, but I do know that Bard has a dual degree program with it's conservatory - the Music Performance/Tech dual degree is quite possible there.

Unfortunately, not having been there, I can't speak for the strength/quality of the music department - it is, however, a phenomenal liberal arts school.

~Christian

I've never heard that you shouldn't get an undergrad degree in composition.

Maybe that isn't a smart career move (I guess I'll find out soon!), but I can tell you I'm getting a B.M. Composition right now and I'm having a blast.

Check out Garfield Park Conservatory. :shifty:

...also, check out one of these previous threads:

http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/composition-undergrad-17995.html

http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/music-colleges-universities-usa-17417.html

-------------

How far are you willing to go?

What direction (musically) do you want to go? (i.e. Film? Art? Pedagogy?)

How good are you, as a player? As a composer?

With whom do you want to study?

How hard do you want to work?

Do you want to be in a city (more scraggy happening) or rural (more focus)?

...and so on...

Consider wisely your options, it's a LOT of time and money on the line.

If you want a specific school to look at, check out Oklahoma City University. You'll have your work performed and you have many skilled ensembles to write for ( I recently got commissioned by our assistant conductor to write a piece for the Brass Ensemble and Organ, which they premiered). You'll also almost certainly write and have read/rehearsed/recorded an orchestra piece. Virtually everyone who graduates gets accepted to good grad schools. It's not a "name", so to speak, such as Julliard or Yale, but it's a quality school and a very quality program. You should check it out.

Princeton's got an amazing music program.

If you're starting with some works, schools like Oberlin might be a good shot, especially if you're a performer.

I'd honestly suggest going to a good school, no matter what, and if it's got a good program in music, that's great. Many (most?) students change their major -- I added one.

You're a sophomore, too. Chill a bit, you've got time to burn. Look in your junior year and don't make any final decisions until you have to (IE, May Senior year).

Princeton's got an amazing music program.

If you're starting with some works, schools like Oberlin might be a good shot, especially if you're a performer.

I'd honestly suggest going to a good school, no matter what, and if it's got a good program in music, that's great. Many (most?) students change their major -- I added one.

Well The thing is with going to a "good school" is the size... my bassoon instructor really wants me to go to IU because that's where he went and he says it's one of the best music schools...... but the thing is the campus is so huge they might have 1 full scholarship split 30 different ways, so I might get my books payed for or my dorm payed for but I'd have to pay for the rest.

Schools like the one just south of here that both my band directors went to and a lot of my classmates (well.. band-mates that graduated last year) are going to is Morehead University. It's a really small campus and they might get 5 bassoonists and give each of them a full ride scholarship... which saves me a whole lot more money :thumbsup: (my parents said I'm basically on my own for college.. they didn't save up or anything)

I will look at those other school though, and keep looking.

Also, you did mention that I have time to burn but.. well I'm probably going to be in France next year as a foreign exchange student so I won't get much "looking around" there :P

Well The thing is with going to a "good school" is the size... my bassoon instructor really wants me to go to IU because that's where he went and he says it's one of the best music schools...... but the thing is the campus is so huge they might have 1 full scholarship split 30 different ways, so I might get my books payed for or my dorm payed for but I'd have to pay for the rest.

Schools like the one just south of here that both my band directors went to and a lot of my classmates (well.. band-mates that graduated last year) are going to is Morehead University. It's a really small campus and they might get 5 bassoonists and give each of them a full ride scholarship... which saves me a whole lot more money :thumbsup: (my parents said I'm basically on my own for college.. they didn't save up or anything)

I will look at those other school though, and keep looking.

Also, you did mention that I have time to burn but.. well I'm probably going to be in France next year as a foreign exchange student so I won't get much "looking around" there :P

Indiana University is a top three school, right next to Juilliard School and Eastman. You better be really damn good if you plan to g et into the Jacobs School of Music. And remember, IU is NOT a top-tier university so it isn't going to be that impressive to people that you went to IU, except for musicians.

You can get a BMus in Composition, there's nothing wrong with that. Giving you a specific school is a bit ridiculous. You will need to do some of your own research, as there are literally hundreds of good schools. If you want to get into the top schools, you WILL need to be a competent player to say the least. And if you are going into Composition, make sure you know your theory because many schools will issue theory tests and require that you test out of at least a rudimentary skills course.

If you don't plan on going for a Masters degree, I would advise you not to major in composiion.

Master's degree.... in composition? Or other?

So in other words, only go for a BM in comp if you know you want to get a masters in comp later. No?

If you have your in-state tuition paid for and unless you are rich you should go in state!!!!!

Either go into music or go into something else you are interested in. Save your money you would pay for out of state(invest it or whatever) and then, once you do that you can go to school again. That is, unless you really don't want to go and learn. This gives you the most bang for your buck.

Also you can transfer out of state and save some money that way and get your core classes out of the way.

If all you want to do is music then I would suggest you go in-state and get a degree in something musical(business, composition, performance or whatever) and then get another degree in something else musical.

Although I think it would be best if you got a degree in something distinctly different but somewhat complementary to music and take music classes on the side. This way, if you fail you still have gained.

Of course it's about an 8 year investment but what else are you going to do with a music degree. And remember whatever you can do you can probably do on the side as you work towards your second degree. e.g., say you want to teach. You can teach parallel while earning your second degree.

This is a way you hedge your bets and take full advantage of what is offered to you and you'll come out ahead in the long run. (this assumes a lot though such as you like to learn, like school, are not so rich that the free tuition is meaningless, etc...)

I would obviously highly recommend IU, but I'm more than a little biased...:)

Seriously, though, it's an amazing school, and both the composition and bassoon programs are wonderful (I'm in the same boat as you). You'll work your donkey off, yes, but it's such a rewarding experience that it hardly even registers. That and the large population can actually work to your advantage, especially in terms of getting something played. The instrumental and technical resources here are absolutely unparalleled. In addition, there are actually plenty of opportunities for scholarships and financial aid. I know plenty of people who have a full ride some way or another, so it's not altogether out of reach. Anyway, IU definitely comes with a strong recommendation. *Rant over*

--Max

I say, do what you want to do. It's hard to get a music degree (correctly) if you don't really want to do it. No matter what you do, you must have a good work ethic to truly succeed.

It's not a bad idea to take a year in-state, so it's paid for, and just take general education courses (which most schools require), that way you can focus only on computer and music classes.

If you have your in-state tuition paid for and unless you are rich you should go in state!!!!!

Either go into music or go into something else you are interested in. Save your money you would pay for out of state(invest it or whatever) and then, once you do that you can go to school again. That is, unless you really don't want to go and learn. This gives you the most bang for your buck.

Also you can transfer out of state and save some money that way and get your core classes out of the way.*

*Void where prohibited.

Every university is different. Some are easier to transfer into than others. Don't forget the beauty and grand ugliness of Freshman year; you won't have that closeness.

Of course it's about an 8 year investment but what else are you going to do with a music degree. And remember whatever you can do you can probably do on the side as you work towards your second degree. e.g., say you want to teach. You can teach parallel while earning your second degree.

This is a way you hedge your bets and take full advantage of what is offered to you and you'll come out ahead in the long run. (this assumes a lot though such as you like to learn, like school, are not so rich that the free tuition is meaningless, etc...)

Or open a studio, or gig, or compose with friends, or a host of things. College is NOT a professional school, despite all attempts.

If you're a bassoonist and a composer, you'd do well to take a look at Carnegie Mellon University (my alma mater.) Great teachers in both as well as lots of performance opportunities and a top notch symphony.