Getting Works Recorded For Conservatory Entrance?

I plan on becoming a music composition major and will soon be sending out transfer applications for the December 1 deadline at most conservatories. I have scores to submit, but many of the schools that I want to attend require recordings of works (which I don't have!).

What are some good ways to get compositions recorded, especially with only four or so months available?

Some additional info:

-I just finished my first year at a local community college and will be going back in the Fall.

-I already have completed Music Theory I-IV (tested out of I-II), Ear Training I-II, Music Composition I, Honors Choir (I rehearsed the chamber choir for several weeks and conducted a piece at our spring concert), Applied Piano I-II, and will be taking more music classes in the Fall.

-Ideally, I want to transfer to USC in the Fall of 2013 after completing my second year of community college with the goal of eventually going into film scoring. I have a number of potential "safety-schools", however.

I'm well-rounded musically. I have plenty of theory and ear-training under my belt, got a I rating at State Solo Contest for voice in high school, have attended a music composition camp, am familiar with classical, jazz, and rock harmonic idioms, and have been composing for years. It would be frustrating to have come this far and not make it as a composition major because I don't have live recordings of my music. I do have MIDI Mockups using quality sample libraries, (East-West Symphonic Orchestra) but many colleges want real recordings. I could probably put $300 toward recording but that's it, and I don't even know where to start finding good performers.

My other frustration is that these conservatories seem to want compositions in a variety of orchestrations. I can find a pianist, but am I expected to submit a recording of a full-orchestral or even chamber piece? Would it lesson my chances if I just submitted solo pieces or something like piano/violin?

Any advice would be very appreciated.

It's hard enough to get live performances/recordings of your works even after you've graduated, so it seems to be nonsense that this should be required to begin your studies. But don't trust me alone on this, since there are members of this community that know way better, being involved as they are in musical schools.

If you have any amateur ensembles in your area that might be willing to perform things (perhaps in exchange for a favour or a small fee) start asking around and write something within their ability but which shows your compositional technique for them. I would not expect the conservatory to require professional-quality recordings (or perhaps I should?) so a single microphone set-up or iPhone would probably do.

I've just looked at the USC website (not the best to find invididual faculties on, I have to say) and wonder if you're appliying for the Composition programme or the Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television programme. Based on your eventual goal, the latter might be a better choice, and for thisMIDI recordings are permissible!

I do agree that this requirement is faintly stupid. There are pro composers who only have MIDI demos of orchestral works on their sites because there has been no means to get a recording made. Unless you are already a published composer or have access to a willing amateur orchestra or group and can get them to give up the time to rehearse and record your piece(s), there is going to be little chance of recording any music for more than a few players. I can understand why they want to hear things live, why they want a variety of orchestrations, and obviously performability is going to be taken into consideration, but surely any composition professor worth their salt will get a reasonable impression simply by looking at and playing through the dots? Can't these people score-read? I also find it difficult to believe, unless the course is over-subscribed and places are very competitive, that they have the time to actually listen to everything they get sent. I think it would be a much better process to submit scores with optional recordings and an appraisal from a current teacher.

I'd imagine they just want to see how good of a composer you are, so I highly doubt they would refuse to accept you if you show them a great piece with a MIDI (especially if you have EastWest). My suggestion is to focus mainly on creating as great music as possible, then work on making it sound as realistic as possible if you can't get it recorded. That's at least what I'm doing in the fall when I apply

MIDI is Ok, even on the graduate level. Score preparation is VERY important. Therefore, go ahead and use your EW. just make sure your scores are infallible.

Ugh, applying for graduate school can be such a major drag.

Try your hardest to find any friends that can play any instrument even remotely well for pieces that are solo, trio, etc. something small. Those shouldn't be as bad for getting recordings and if they're your friends then I'm sure they'll understand your scenario. Plus you said you took all of those music classes, so try to find the classmates that you befriended and know play instruments. :)

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY SCORE PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING. The faculty will definitely NOT listen to every second you write but they will make judgments based on score preparation alone. Every single slip in your scores is a super minus point. x.x It sounds dumb, but I can see the purpose behind it. I would prioritize great score presentation over getting the recording. Even then, if you do get recordings, I would make sure the performers look at it as much as possible for any errors and that you fix those ASAP.

I think you should be okay with MIDI preparation as you want to do film scoring and stuff. As far as orchestral, you could prolly get away with MIDI too. I did when I applied to UCLA (which I didn't get in but that's a different story ^_^;) and other professors in other schools were like, "Oh man, yeah don't worry about it we've ALL been there!" so don't worry too much about larger pieces.

Good luck!

So.... here's the thing about recordings:

In this day and age, they're essential. You should be able to get a few recordings of your works by real live players. Some colleges accept MIDI, some don't, some prefer live over MIDI but won't deny MIDI. I was warned when I auditioned to Mannes that MIDI recordings would possibly detract because they sound unrealistic, which they do, no matter how good your samples are. BUT, give a recording if they ask, even if its not live unless they say outright "MIDI is unacceptable."

For orchestral or band recordings, your school ensembles will be the best shot. Try to get involved in the All-City or All-State ensembles and show your music to the conductor(s). If the music is good and they have time to fit them in you will likely get a premiere. Just make sure there's microphones up and ready to go for the performance, don't rely on someone else to do it, because more often than not it will fail.