Going to College for Composition

Does it pay off? I mean, the composition industry is hard to break in to with or without a degree... Do four years at a music college make much of a difference at all?

I originally planned to go to some music school (like Berklee College of Music) but now I'm wondering if it's worth it.

I know I will pursue music, but wouldn't it be more logical to pursue it originally and try to get in to the industry a different way?

(Instead of a Composition major, I think I might go for computer technology with a minor in music... Would create an interesting career niche.)

Any thoughts?

I went through this struggle myself, wondering weather or not getting a composition degree is worth it or not. I ended up deciding that going to college for composition is an invaluable experience weather you make a career of it or not.

Some of the greats never went to a music school, they just had it in them. However, if you really want to go to music school, if that is what you love, the reason you should go is because you love it, not because you want to make a career out of it. Music was never a secure job option, but if the greats wouldn't have taken those risks, where would music be today? If your music doesn't work out as a career, just remember; those who can't do, teach! That's my backup plan anyway, even if it means getting a doctorate.

That's my 32805/32768. (Microtonal music humor)

Does it pay off? I mean, the composition industry is hard to break in to with or without a degree... Do four years at a music college make much of a difference at all?

I originally planned to go to some music school (like Berklee College of Music) but now I'm wondering if it's worth it.

I know I will pursue music, but wouldn't it be more logical to pursue it originally and try to get in to the industry a different way?

(Instead of a Composition major, I think I might go for computer technology with a minor in music... Would create an interesting career niche.)

Any thoughts?

Depends on what you want to do. One of our members with an IMDB page (ANDY!!!!) went to UC Irvine -- hardly a top-tier conservatory -- and he's working at a major film music studio.

I went to a top-50 (at the time) in general school and just happened to major in composition. What I've found in talking to people here is that every school is different, every school has different professors who are better and worse at different things. Either you deal or you do you homework first and find out how the folks at that school are learning. The former worked really well for me, but I'm not looking for a job in the field either (I WANNNNNA BE AN AAAARTIST).

What's more important is to do stuff. That sounds glib, but find opportunities. Any college will try to help; some will be better equipped than others. But do student films, etc. Get a portfolio. Make stuff that has nothing to do with your classwork. Go "above and beyond" as somehow became a mantra at my high school.

Thanks for the advice. I'm not worried about "making money" specifically. I'd just feel really bad paying a ton of money per year into a profession that won't earn it back for a decade (:

Don't get me wrong, It's what I'm going to do for my future. I'm just considering options.

I'd just feel really bad paying a ton of money per year into a profession that won't earn it back for a decade (:

Maybe you shouldn't be going to college :whistling:

Unless your parents are paying for you, or in the even unlikelier event that you get a decent scholarship, you WILL be leaving school with debt, and possibly a good deal of it if you go to a private school. Despite this, I would definitely pursue a bachelor's degree in something (computer tech-related would be excellent if you enjoy it) and at least minor in music. Have you thought about double-majoring? What kind of music do you want to write? It's true that many people break into the commercial music world without music-specific training in academia and that people will care more about your past work than about your degree, but if you want to teach you won't be taken seriously until you have a degree (and often multiple degrees). If you want commissions for concert works you may not be taken seriously either unless you have academic pretension.

Unless your parents are paying for you, or in the even unlikelier event that you get a decent scholarship, you WILL be leaving school with debt, and possibly a good deal of it if you go to a private school. Despite this, I would definitely pursue a bachelor's degree in something (computer tech-related would be excellent if you enjoy it) and at least minor in music. Have you thought about double-majoring? What kind of music do you want to write? It's true that many people break into the commercial music world without music-specific training in academia and that people will care more about your past work than about your degree, but if you want to teach you won't be taken seriously until you have a degree (and often multiple degrees). If you want commissions for concert works you may not be taken seriously either unless you have academic pretension.

I'd love to do anything involving scoring of movies or games, but a career in music tech would be cool too (like music software stuff.) I'm trying hard to avoid teaching, that's the thing.

If you don't want to teach, Makar.. then don't teach. I would recommend doing something that you WANT to do - cause only by doing what you have a passion to do, will you work hard enough to have a good income from it.

Great question:

Do it!!!!! My time has been worth it! Every second. Do it! Do it! DO IT!!!!

Yeah, what's cool about most of these responses so far is that they completely deny the reality of the music school graduate: jobless and with a degree of very little substance. And in this economic climate (what with major American orchestras declaring bankruptcy), you're a moron if you think you can actually grab a music-related job out of school.

The corollary to this is what constitutes a "music-related job." Orchestras declare bankruptcy as arenas are breaking income records. Recording studio, library, city hall -- these are only a few places that might have "music-related jobs." It's great to be "all i want to be is a concert pianist" or whatever -- but the whole world is a lot broader in job choice, even if you want to restrict your career to just music.

But the point is valid needs to be repeated -- your BA is meaningless and qualifies you for nothing specifically. The only qualifier is experience. Get some.

All of my friends in composition have jobs. Flat out. Every single last one of them. They are either teachers in public schools, college or full-time composers. I don't understand where this jobless attribution is coming from. The degree has much substance in academia but one needs the DMA/PhD. Yes, you need nine years if collegiate education; however, that nine years equates income, benefits, resources, networks and possible performance venues. Maybe I should write about the good things about a composition degree....

Maybe you should, Wick. I'm sure there are benefits to having the degree. One thing people have to keep in mind, though, is that getting a degree in one specific field doesn't limit you to only jobs relating to that field. I know many people who got a degree in one thing and now have jobs that have barely anything related to it. It seems that most employers just want to see if you are a competent person, along with job experience. One good way to do it is to go to college and get a degree.

People should respect a music degree. It's a hard degree!

Experience is absolutely the most important qualifier, but if someone wants to teach full time at a public school: a Bachelor's is a bare essential.

It's not wise for anyone to think that a degree will automatically qualify them for any sort of work in music, but likewise: the same to think that a degree is absolutely useless for any and all careers.

If you want to teach full-time at a public school, at least classes in education might help. I'm all for what Jersey does and mandate a Masters in Education before you can be certified to teach anything past middle school.

No doubt, though, a degree teaches you stuff, and having that piece of paper is a watershed moment for opportunity. On the other hand, it's not a cure-all, like it's sometimes sold as.