I share my music composition portfolio that got me accepted to Juilliard, USC, Columbia, and some other places for my undergraduate degree in music composition. Thankfully, I ended up going to USC! (fight on!), though eventually I did go to Juilliard for my master’s, and finally Columbia for my doctorate. Be mindful that this portfolio is from 2010, 12 years ago from the posting of this video. So a lot of music has been written since then! The admissions process isn’t expecting anything masterful. They do, however, want to make sure you have a grasp of what it means to write a musical work.
Congratulations on getting some of your compositions performed and recorded. It does make a huge difference getting quality players perform in contrast to a notation program. I'm glad that there is playback for notation programs, but they can never be as good as real players.
Holy shit this is huge idk why this didn’t come up earlier when searching for audition material but oh my god thank you for dropping such an awesome resource
You're very fortunate that you were able to get good recordings of your music. Where I come from, the high school doesn't have any composition related instruction, let alone programs, that allow people to have music read. I started composing in 8th grade and only learned what I did for college applications through my own composing experiences, and my first composition lessons started in my undergraduate studies. I managed to get into MSU and passed pre-screening at UMich (but didn't make it past the interview process), and I couldn't dream of going to Juilliard from the price alone.
At the time, I had no idea how fortunate I was , you're absolutely right. Places like UMich and Juilliard are not the end-all/be-all of composition schools. MSU for example has David Biedenbender and Zhou Tian, both composers in the primes of their careers who I very much look up to.
I have written a chamber work for an undergraduate degree audition with the same instruments you listed here in your composition, I use b-flat clarinet instead of a bass clarinet . 😊
For this $0. In high school I was part of a program that had reading programs that were recorded. That being said (besides the orchestra piece) one can record these pieces for a pretty reasonable price I would say with good student musicians and a zoom recorder type device.
Bro im in a high school band with like 25 kids how much could I even get recorded? (Seriously though, do you think i would be able to record each part individually then mash it all together so I am able tohave someone play multiplw parts?
Hey! Any tips on getting music recorded for college applications? Many of these colleges prefer live recordings to midi, but I'm not sure how to go about recording them. Thanks!
For my students, I help them hire musicians from Juilliard (usually undergrads that are closer in age) and record them either at the school or using something like a Zoom H4n recorder which isn’t super professional but it will sound about 75% of the way there, especially for college applications. Contacting your nearest conservatory to see if there are any undergraduates especially that are willing to record something for you I think is the best bet. It will cost some money depending on where you live, but at the end of the day it will help you tremendously in the application process. Good luck!
I recommend to do what you’re saying for my students, but in this particular case, I was part of a program in high school with the LA Phil that recorded these pieces (some of the musicians were from the LA phil).
@@ShirlyLyubomirsky There could be a few that might be willing, but in my experience it’s always a better experience for everyone involved when the musicians are paid. They are performing a service for you, so the relationship should be reciprocal to maintain professionalism (and they will respect you more for it).
I should add for whoever is reading these comments that once you are in college, the relationships becomes more colleague-like - you make friends, you ask favors, they play your music at concerts. You help them in return with their theory homework 🤗 always imagine if you are in THEIR shoes.
How much money do you think it would cost to hire musicians to perform your portfolio pieces? I know it depends on the students' skill levels and other factors but rough estimate?
Honestly I can’t really give you a solid estimate though in the past I’ve hired student musicians from anywhere between $20-50 an hour depending on how many hours I needed them for and how difficult the music was. All depends on where you are too in the world as well. By the hour payment is definitely what I normally do. For a 5 minute piece it could potentially just need 1 hour with really good performers to get a solid recording, but with less experienced players it might take 3-5 hours for the same piece (I’m counting practice/rehearsal time). So if you’re doing it all yourself (in terms of audio engineering which you can do really simply with an H4n zoom recorder) it could potentially not break the bank. But obviously everyone’s situation is very different. Please excuse my long-winded answer! It’s a complicated answer for I know is a simple question!
Hey Saad! My portfolio was approved by the department and I was informed that I would be hearing something official from the university soon Does that mean I would be automatically accepted into their graduate composition programme? Thanks!🎉
Your videos on makinh a presentable portfolio did help so much during my application process and I appreciate that I wish there was a way to contact you directly...thank you so much
As of now, if your music sounds anything remotely close to film music, you'll have a tough time getting into programs like USC where theyre more focused on avant garde and contemporary classical music
A good rule of thumb especially for undergrad programs is to research the professors. One can’t expect programs with no film composers on their faculty to be able to teach film music. The film composers at USC teaching the scoring post-bacc degree, not undergrad students for example. Just to add more context to your point above.
I share my music composition portfolio that got me accepted to Juilliard, USC, Columbia, and some other places for my undergraduate degree in music composition. Thankfully, I ended up going to USC! (fight on!), though eventually I did go to Juilliard for my master’s, and finally Columbia for my doctorate. Be mindful that this portfolio is from 2010, 12 years ago from the posting of this video. So a lot of music has been written since then! The admissions process isn’t expecting anything masterful. They do, however, want to make sure you have a grasp of what it means to write a musical work.
Congratulations on getting some of your compositions performed and recorded. It does make a huge difference getting quality players perform in contrast to a notation program. I'm glad that there is playback for notation programs, but they can never be as good as real players.
Thank you, and much agreed on all fronts!
Holy shit this is huge idk why this didn’t come up earlier when searching for audition material but oh my god thank you for dropping such an awesome resource
You’re most welcome, I hope it’s helpful!
You're very fortunate that you were able to get good recordings of your music. Where I come from, the high school doesn't have any composition related instruction, let alone programs, that allow people to have music read.
I started composing in 8th grade and only learned what I did for college applications through my own composing experiences, and my first composition lessons started in my undergraduate studies. I managed to get into MSU and passed pre-screening at UMich (but didn't make it past the interview process), and I couldn't dream of going to Juilliard from the price alone.
At the time, I had no idea how fortunate I was , you're absolutely right. Places like UMich and Juilliard are not the end-all/be-all of composition schools. MSU for example has David Biedenbender and Zhou Tian, both composers in the primes of their careers who I very much look up to.
@@saadhaddadmusic I'm studying with Dr. Zhou right now!
@@maxwellkowal3065 I figured it would be one of those two! He is the real deal 🙏🏽
I have written a chamber work for an undergraduate degree audition with the same instruments you listed here in your composition, I use b-flat clarinet instead of a bass clarinet . 😊
That’s awesome 👏🏽
So awesome! Cool to see a CFP alumni. I also did the program in 2020-2021! Also at usc studying comp currently!
wow congratulations! I wouldn’t be where I am without that program. I miss those times!
I’m cooked man I don’t think I’m gonna get accepted to a single music school
I wish you good good luck fellow musician, I know Berklee College of Music has a high acceptance rate, I bet you can get in (:
it's insane the quality of the recordings. How much did you spend total on making the recordings for your undergraduate app?
For this $0. In high school I was part of a program that had reading programs that were recorded. That being said (besides the orchestra piece) one can record these pieces for a pretty reasonable price I would say with good student musicians and a zoom recorder type device.
Thanks so much, I love your pieces
You’re welcome, and thank you 🙏🏽
Thanks for the insight.
I know better now where their standards lie regarding music composition audition portfolio.
Good luck 🍀
@@saadhaddadmusic thank you.
This is super useful!
I’m glad you think so! 🙏🏽
And by the way, I have three string quartets in the USC library, if can find them..... and have an interest in looking at them.
Awesome!
I applied with the same one! Weird...
There’s only 12 notes after all…
I commend you for excellent engraving skills as well.
Thanks! This is a very early example of that, nowadays it's a lot easier to get even better results.
where are you now Dr. Haddad? Thanks for the US Music University information.
New York
Bro im in a high school band with like 25 kids how much could I even get recorded?
(Seriously though, do you think i would be able to record each part individually then mash it all together so I am able tohave someone play multiplw parts?
Hey! Any tips on getting music recorded for college applications? Many of these colleges prefer live recordings to midi, but I'm not sure how to go about recording them. Thanks!
For my students, I help them hire musicians from Juilliard (usually undergrads that are closer in age) and record them either at the school or using something like a Zoom H4n recorder which isn’t super professional but it will sound about 75% of the way there, especially for college applications. Contacting your nearest conservatory to see if there are any undergraduates especially that are willing to record something for you I think is the best bet. It will cost some money depending on where you live, but at the end of the day it will help you tremendously in the application process. Good luck!
How did you get such good recordings? Did you reach out to conservatory students and use the conservatory sound recording engineers?
I recommend to do what you’re saying for my students, but in this particular case, I was part of a program in high school with the LA Phil that recorded these pieces (some of the musicians were from the LA phil).
@@saadhaddadmusic what a great privilege to have such great musicians play your music. Do conservatory students play local composer's music for free?
@@ShirlyLyubomirsky There could be a few that might be willing, but in my experience it’s always a better experience for everyone involved when the musicians are paid. They are performing a service for you, so the relationship should be reciprocal to maintain professionalism (and they will respect you more for it).
I should add for whoever is reading these comments that once you are in college, the relationships becomes more colleague-like - you make friends, you ask favors, they play your music at concerts. You help them in return with their theory homework 🤗 always imagine if you are in THEIR shoes.
@@saadhaddadmusic that makes sense.
How much money do you think it would cost to hire musicians to perform your portfolio pieces? I know it depends on the students' skill levels and other factors but rough estimate?
Honestly I can’t really give you a solid estimate though in the past I’ve hired student musicians from anywhere between $20-50 an hour depending on how many hours I needed them for and how difficult the music was. All depends on where you are too in the world as well. By the hour payment is definitely what I normally do. For a 5 minute piece it could potentially just need 1 hour with really good performers to get a solid recording, but with less experienced players it might take 3-5 hours for the same piece (I’m counting practice/rehearsal time). So if you’re doing it all yourself (in terms of audio engineering which you can do really simply with an H4n zoom recorder) it could potentially not break the bank. But obviously everyone’s situation is very different. Please excuse my long-winded answer! It’s a complicated answer for I know is a simple question!
Hey Saad!
My portfolio was approved by the department and I was informed that I would be hearing something official from the university soon
Does that mean I would be automatically accepted into their graduate composition programme?
Thanks!🎉
No idea! But congrats all the same! Would love to know where you end up going!
Your videos on makinh a presentable portfolio did help so much during my application process and I appreciate that
I wish there was a way to contact you directly...thank you so much
@@sentimentalescalade6451 you are most welcome and these are the stories I love to hear about!
As of now, if your music sounds anything remotely close to film music, you'll have a tough time getting into programs like USC where theyre more focused on avant garde and contemporary classical music
A good rule of thumb especially for undergrad programs is to research the professors. One can’t expect programs with no film composers on their faculty to be able to teach film music. The film composers at USC teaching the scoring post-bacc degree, not undergrad students for example. Just to add more context to your point above.
@@saadhaddadmusic Yes to that, thank you!
Do you offer virtual lessons/consultations?
Yes, you can send me a message via my email in the description! Almost everyone that studies with me does so virtually.
@@saadhaddadmusic will do, thank you!
@@saadhaddadmusic just sent you a message via your website
@@oliviasherman8965 received and answered, thanks!
That’s dove tailing?
🕊️ ? Where 🧐
Would be better if we could hear it without the talking.
I don’t talk at all in these videos, enjoy :) ruclips.net/p/PLEONSbD1E8XOGRS4tA1l5rA7Ukk5ntxTJ