{ Write More Music! }

In Part 1 I went over the basics of selecting a graduate program, in Part 2 I explained how to start putting everything together to present yourself in the best light. There are a few things I didn’t cover before that I would like to cover before I cover Part 3.

First, for most composition programs you will be asked to send a CD of recordings to go with your scores. While most schools will probably accept MIDI, Sibelius, or Finale realizations, it is in your best interest to have your pieces performed by real, live people. If you happen to have your portfolio already recorded, great! If not, you may want to arrange your senior recital or a recording session prior to applying. As an example, I presented a recital on October 6th, had an additional recording session on October 29, and put together a CD sometime during the 30th and 31st.

Secondly, most of my instructions so far are roughly the same regardless of MM or MA program (Music Ed. and Music Therapy are two exceptions). For a degree in musicology, you would need to submit a portfolio of academic papers in musicology, for theory, you would need to submit a portfolio of academic papers in theory. Performance majors would need to send a CD or more commonly schedule an audition.

Now then. Actually applying. As I said last month, I gathered all my information for the application process, and took an entire Saturday just to apply. This may not be needed if you’re looking at two to three schools, but if you’re looking at eleven, then do it. The vast majority of applications are online, in various lengths. For example the application to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is really short. REALLY short. Roughly a page. Other applications are large multi-step affairs. Several schools are transitioning to a completely web-based system for reference letters. This actual application process is fairly straightforward.

From here, the graduate college will look at your application, transcript, and everything else, see if you meet their minimum requirements, and then either send your portfolio to the music unit, or ask the music unit for their opinion (based on the portfolio you actually sent to the music unit). The music unit will send your portfolio to the composition department (or whatever your major area is), where it will be heavily scrutinized. Or more accurately, evaluated.

Some colleges and schools of music will require an application to the school of music, and some will require that you fill out a graduate assistant application when you apply. Some will not.

A word about graduate assistantships. Apply for them. Apply early. For large state institutions, it is not unusual for a graduate assistantship to cover tuition (for so many hours), health insurance, and a stipend of eight to ten thousand dollars. Private schools (as far as I know) grant similar packages. If you truly are doing what you love, you cannot ask for a better situation than to be paid to go to school.

So now that that’s all done, now comes the super fun part! Now, all you have to do is wait. and wait. and wait. and you get the idea. For the application I sent in the beginning of November, the first I heard about admissions was in late February, and that was EXTREMELY early. The first GA offer came in mid to late March, and the offer that I finally accepted was extended in early June. So what happens during this time? Besides going crazy, of course.

Several schools are going to want, and probably require, interviews. Some schools will do their first round of cuts before require an interview. Some schools will work with your schedule and allow you conduct the interview over the phone. Some schools would just like to have you in for a visit. From January to April 2009, I traveled to Lawrence, KS; Waco, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Norman, OK; and Winston-Salem, NC. That’s a lot of driving. My advice would be to visit as many of the schools as you can, and all of the schools about which you are serious.

As far as interview dress code goes, I would say it would be at or above the dress code for a job interview. For my trip to Baylor (which was not an actual interview but more of a visit), it was completely casual. For my actual interviews I dressed significantly nicer. When I asked the professors at Butler University how I should dress, I received the response “Well, I always tell my composers to dress nice.” They were visibly impressed when I showed up in a suit. Your mileage may vary.

So that’s what I have for this month. From looking for what you’re wanting to putting together a unified portfolio to the application process, now all that needs to be done is the waiting.

Did I mention the waiting?

I have unfortunately been busy these past few weeks trying to find a normal schedule, which is just now starting to solidify. Crazy stuff here, really. But here are some collected thoughts about where I am and what I’m doing.

My last post was about the M-Audio sale that Woot.com was having. I ended up buying a third midi controller (a KeyStudio 49), which I need to set up semi-permanently. Finding the space is the hardest part so far.

The most noticeable change from undergrad to graduate composing is that my mentor has changed from one frame of reference to another. As an undergraduate, my mentor’s primary role was to show me things I had done wrong, make new suggestions, and in some ways really explain how to do something or why to do something. Now that I’m in graduate school, I’m (gulp) considered a professional composer. While that may be true, it took a while to get used to. My mentor’s role now is more along the lines of editor. My past several composition lessons have consisted of going through several of my old pieces, pointing out things I could have done differently. It’s kind of a different world. It has really forced me to become self-critical. As far as realizing that I am a professional composer with a degree and everything, I have no idea when that happened.

Our last two composers forums here have focused on becoming self-published. With the Internet, becoming your own company is fairly simple, but still requires quite a bit of work. I’ll be sure to fill you in as this progresses.

Furthermore, grad school has really become a great place to meet other composers and form professional relationships. I’d like to write more on that subject later as well.

Also, Part III in searching for grad programs in composition comes out Monday!