Should I study Music Composition?

Hi, I'm not necessarily new here, but I haven't posted much. I just came here mostly to listen to others' works (have yet to upload my own). Lately I've been having a bit of a problem that I haven't been able to answer for myself, which is: should I study music composition? First off, let me explain a little bit about myself so you can see where lies the problem. I've been interested in music my whole life, relatives' guitar and pianos and etc., but I never received any training until middle school. From 5th to 6th grade I played the trombone, and 7th and 8th I switched to Tuba. My teacher felt that I was ONE of the better students in the band. However, I dropped band during high school and I haven't had any formal training since. I've been making computer music on and off since I was 14, and I'm 24 now. I continue making compositions on the computer using a musical master keyboard, yet as I've stated before, I have no training with a piano. Some people, who get my style of music, say that I'm very good and that I have a natural talent (but what else would you expect to hear from the untalented?). I'm going to a small community college this year and I'm indecisive on a major. There is a transfer program in music with 1 year of class piano courses, but as I've read up on colleges such as Ball State University and Indiana University's Jacob's School of Music, the auditions seem to be pretty tough. Does anyone think 2 years at a simple community college will prepare me for Music University, or should I keep musical composition as a hobby and dream on?

Sorry for such a long post but I'll be grateful for any help.

EDIT: Here are a few songs I've uploaded so far -

http://www.youngcomposers.com/pg/Music/ooTRAV1Soo/composition?entry=37978

http://www.youngcomposers.com/pg/Music/ooTRAV1Soo/composition?entry=37979

http://www.youngcomposers.com/pg/Music/ooTRAV1Soo/composition?entry=37980

http://www.youngcomposers.com/pg/Music/ooTRAV1Soo/composition?entry=37981

http://www.youngcomposers.com/pg/Music/ooTRAV1Soo/composition?entry=37982

For one, I don't think you should leave this big decision on the shoulders of anyone else but yourself. But I'll try to answer anyways. Firstly, try posting some music of yours and see if it's good based on reviews. No point auditioning for something you're no good at. Secondly, I think that the 2 years would prepare you enough for university, but I'm not even out of high school so you shouldn't trust me. If you enjoy music, and you're good at it and WANT to do it, it would be a great choice.

Thanks for your response, however I'm not looking for people to choose my future for me. I'm only looking for advice from the people I think would be best giving me answers.

Hi, I'm not necessarily new here, but I haven't posted much. I just came here mostly to listen to others' works (have yet to upload my own). Lately I've been having a bit of a problem that I haven't been able to answer for myself, which is: should I study music composition? First off, let me explain a little bit about myself so you can see where lies the problem. I've been interested in music my whole life, relatives' guitar and pianos and etc., but I never received any training until middle school. From 5th to 6th grade I played the trombone, and 7th and 8th I switched to Tuba. My teacher felt that I was ONE of the better students in the band. However, I dropped band during high school and I haven't had any formal training since. I've been making computer music on and off since I was 14, and I'm 24 now. I continue making compositions on the computer using a musical master keyboard, yet as I've stated before, I have no training with a piano. Some people, who get my style of music, say that I'm very good and that I have a natural talent (but what else would you expect to hear from the untalented?). I'm going to a small community college this year and I'm indecisive on a major. There is a transfer program in music with 1 year of class piano courses, but as I've read up on colleges such as Ball State University and Indiana University's Jacob's School of Music, the auditions seem to be pretty tough. Does anyone think 2 years at a simple community college will prepare me for Music University, or should I keep musical composition as a hobby and dream on?

Sorry for such a long post but I'll be grateful for any help.

EDIT: Here are a couple songs I've uploaded so far -

http://www.youngcomposers.com/pg/Music/ooTRAV1Soo/composition?entry=37978

http://www.youngcomposers.com/pg/Music/ooTRAV1Soo/composition?entry=37979

Normally I would ask if you what are your plans with composition, and if you are into more serious art music or popular music. But your case is a bit different.

Like what Impresario said, I would not only need to hear your music, I would need to know what your skill set are musically. A lot of schools these days, when entering school for composition, want to see a portfolio, and since you said you most if not all music compositions is on the computer, that limits your school choices to schools the have a place for electronic music.

Another thing that may limit your choices is your playing ability. Though some schools have decided to not require composers to audition on an instrument or voice, most schools still require it. And because I don't know how well you can perform on your instrument, I cant really give you great advice.

The Best I can give you is that you should ask your self, "what do I hope to gain by going to college" and "what can I learn on my own?" And I would also ask the colleges themselves, they can usually give your some of the best advice about what you need to do and know.

Some thoughts.

Ask yourself this, what would a degree in composition do for you? Then ask this, can you get what it does for you without getting the degree? Take this example, if you want to be an engineer you need an engineering degree because it's required by law to work as an engineer, thus even if you could learn everything an engineer does on your own, you still need a degree. How about if you wanted to be a designer? Would you need to get an interior design degree? No, it isn't an absolute requirement. You could do this for a living by building contacts, learning from other people, and proving your worth through internships. Would a degree hurt? No, but does it help? depends.

Also are you okay with not doing music even if you have a degree in it. What I mean it this. When I give a senior seminar or a freshman seminar, I focus on two things. Number 1)Apply to graduate school if you want to do mathematics for a living. Number 2)realize that for most of you this won't help so pick up useful skills such as programming, business management, etc. The same thing applies to composition. If you get a degree in composition you are pretty much in the same boat as you were before except you have a degree. You would need further studies or a willingness to have a day time job that doesn't relate to your major.

I think most of the things I have to say have been said already, but one thing I would like to add is that, after listening to your music, I wonder about whether you would enjoy being in a university composition program. Most universities will emphasize more "modern" approaches, which may or may not fit with your particular style.

It's something worth considering.

Also are you okay with not doing music even if you have a degree in it. What I mean it this. When I give a senior seminar or a freshman seminar, I focus on two things. Number 1)Apply to graduate school if you want to do mathematics for a living. Number 2)realize that for most of you this won't help so pick up useful skills such as programming, business management, etc. The same thing applies to composition. If you get a degree in composition you are pretty much in the same boat as you were before except you have a degree. You would need further studies or a willingness to have a day time job that doesn't relate to your major.

Very true - the first thing anybody wishing to study composition should be aware of is that "being a composer" really isn't a "job" (in the sense of allowing you to make a living) in most cases. The only job a composition diploma will be useful for is if you want to teach composition at an university. While that's certainly a desirable thing for many, such jobs are rare enough and you'll rarely get one right as soon as you're done studying. In all other cases (respectively in the meantime), you will have to find some other way to earn your money.

This doesn't have to be something entirely unrelated to music of course. There -are- certainly ways to earn some money in the music field, from giving instrumental (or theory) lessons, working for a music publisher or as a music critic, assisting music professors, and so on. Some of these will require additional qualifications (i.e. if you want decent pay for giving instrumental lessons you will want an instrumental diploma), whereas others can offer you money on the side, but won't provide you with a full job on their own. -If- you're set on earning your money in the music field, it would definitely be a good idea to also get an instrumental diploma in order to teach, or at least a theory diploma in order to teach theory. (But generally, you still can do these things a bit later as well.)

Personally, I currently earn most of my money by a wide selection of different things, ranging from giving theory lessons to some kids, doing music typesetting jobs for some composers, programming/installing/performing live-electronics for concerts that require them, freelancing as a hornist in some small orchestras from time to time, playing alphorn on weddings and stuff, accompanying singers/instrumentalist on the piano from time to time, etc. On one hand, doing so many things is fun and keeps me from getting bored, on the other hand, it's anything but a job with a fixed monthly income, so in the long term this is much too unsteady to work out very well.

All in all: If you stay open towards several directions you won't starve as a composer. But things may turn out a lot easier if you manage to get some other day job.

I agree with what has been said above BUT one thing I think no one here has covered is this:

DO you plan on making music composition your career? There are opportunities available to composers that can provide a comfy living - but you have to put a great amount of work to it. It's not something that will happen overnight. A degree, sadly, isn't required to do composition BUT it is extremely important in landing a good paying job that utilizes what you know (composition wise).

The biggest advantage to the degree is the contacts that you will make. Many of these contacts last for life! As an adult who did not complete college and who has tried to make a career without the degree, I can vouch first hand that it is far more difficult.

Most people are focusing on your composition but I am going to take the other approach. I am just finishing up High School in the Houston,TX area and have gotten accepted into composition in college, and gone through many auditions over the past couple months (stressful)

The biggest problem I see you having is being proficient enough on your primary instrument, since you did not even play through high school. This is really your disadvantage since students coming out of high school have most likely progressed MUCH since middle school and since you put down your horn. If it is what you want to do then give it your all! I am not trying be arrogant in this post, I am just trying to point out some of the obvious disadvantage's you may occur (It is also generally harder to transfer into a music program, unless you are counting on entering as freshman).

Honestly, you can gauge yourself better than any of us can though (performance wise).

Best of luck!

- James

Should you formally study music composition? Yes, if writing music is your passion then by all means take some theory, orchestration, or composition lessons/classes. Should you major in music? If music is your primary passion in life and you intend to get a Bachelor's degree, then yes. A lot of music students even have a backup plan and get two degrees, one degree banking on financial stability since making a living as a composer is incredibly difficult.

People who identify themselves as professional composers usually earn their livings as educators, or engravers, or performers, or by doing other odds and ends. Unless you can find a steady teaching position, it's hard to find a consistent composition-related job. A B.A. in music will open a few more doors for you, but depending on what you want to do with your life the B.A. may not be enough (or it may not even be necessary). It seems that most professional composers today study up to a graduate level, or at least take some graduate-level classes. If you want to teach at a school, I recommend planning for at least a Master's degree and be prepared for a lot of history and theory. If you want to teach at a college level you'll need a PhD. You may have no idea what you want to do yet, and that's ok too.

So I say go for the B.A./B.M. in music, and two years at a community college should prepare you for a 4-year university, but... There will probably come a time in your life when you ask yourself whether or not you really want composition to be your focus in music. Composition can be an extremely lonely process, and I think for most people it's a lifestyle choice rather than a job. If you don't like being by yourself for long periods of time and you want a steady job that allows you to work regular hours and come home at night and relax, then maybe composition as a profession is not for you. Take this into consideration when you decide to pursue composition as a hobby or a profession.

Dude, you want to learn music? Go for it -- don't like it? change your plans. No reason not to learn something.

But, if a comp degree anywhere else is like my degree, you'll have to learn a lot out of the classroom.