Hi! I'm a high school junior in Florida, and, assuming that I don't get into the out-of-state schools I'm looking to apply to, do you think the University of Miami or Florida State University would be better for a composition major?
I'm going to be starting as a freshman composition major at IU Jacobs School of Music next fall. The ammount of opportunities there, largely due to its size, is insane.
I’m going to go to my local state school UW Madison next year for music composition, which should be nice so that I don’t have to spend too much money while also learning a lot.
Great video Saad! I love how your points of emphasis at the end of the video. This is a great resource for anyone trying to navigate the complicated factors of choosing a program in the US!
I'm currently in the composition program at SUNY Fredonia, and for the price I think it's actually a very good program. It's also a pretty large program (music school of 500 students, there's 30 composers).
While the academic route is not really for me, I still found this video very useful...but a good number of the composers/professors you mentioned are new to me and I am going to check out their music now, so thanks Saad!
One school that I think deserves to be mentioned is the University of North Texas College of Music! It is a fantastic option for composition, especially for those interested in wind band composition or jazz composition/arranging (in fact the jazz studies program and the composition division often intertwine). The electronic/commerical music scene here is incredibly robust as well, possessing one of the most state-of-the-art intermedia theaters and studios in the nation. I’m close to finishing up my undergraduate degree in composition here at UNT, and I can confidently say I’ve never been met with so many performance opportunities as a composer before - everything from chamber music to electronic music to symphonic orchestra and wind ensemble. There’s even more beyond that, too. UNT has it all!
My teacher (now friend!) Bruce Broughton enjoyed his residency there. I’ve heard great things too. Thank you for all this detail that you’re providing for the community here. I’m biased towards the coastal schools so thank you for this!
@@saadhaddadmusic Bruce is incredible! He visits campus about twice a semester, and each time I sign up for a lesson with him. He’s been a great resource and mentor to me and many others, both in the creation of music and in the music business side of things as well (which UNT also has degrees for!). We’ve definitely grown into more of a friendship as well! Just a great person all-around.
I've gone to the Midwest Composers Symposium, where composition students from several regional schools including University of Michigan gather and have their works performed, so I've heard probably dozens of works from their students. They definitely had a lot of talented students. Their styles leaned toward more accessible styles of contemporary music as opposed to more avant-garde. Hard to say whether it's who they admit or if that's the type of student they attract. People school searching should definitely look out for these types of events. On an unrelated note, I sometimes hear people say that it's best to go to a small school for undergraduate, not just because of tuition as you mentioned, but because undergraduates aren't given as much priority with the best teachers at the school compared to graduate students. I started my degree at a very small school that didn't even have a graduate program, and transferred to a bigger school with graduate programs. My core classes like theory, ear training, and history were far better at the smaller school, although there's a good chance that it was just luck because my teachers at the smaller school were graduate students at the larger school I transferred to. However at the larger school, I had a lot more highly skilled classmates to look up to and learn from, and since they had more teachers, I heard more perspectives. Edit: Also, larger schools will have usually have more international, therefore ESL students, which can sometimes "dumb down" the classes. Even if you're a native speaker, or highly fluent, you should consider the lowest score your school requires on language tests. Obviously there are benefits to having international classmates, but if the English requirements are really low, you might notice some consequences.
Yes, UMich generally speaking is more on the “conservative” side. The Ivy’s and a smattering of others tend to be more on the experimental side. Obviously I am generalizing for the sake of brevity.
as a current Rice grad student I will say it's the best graduate program for those who would like to become orchestral composers. The Shepherd orchestra (even though it is going through an odd patch right now) is without a doubt the best conservatory orchestra in the US, and every graduating graduate composition student gets a performance either on a subscription series concert or on a new music for orchestra concert. That means there's no "orchestra reading session" like they do at Juilliard or IU. It also means that every student will at least get on a new music for orchestra concert, so there's no competition between the composers to get a spot on those concerts like there is at Juilliard or USC.
Yep yep yep, well said ^ list was more geared towards undergrads. I would list Rice much higher if the list was for MM programs. I almost went there myself 🤣 (maybe I should have!)
Would love to hear your take on Juilliard vs Paris for a master’s degree in composition… currently deliberating two offers and really feeling unsure and overwhelmed
@@saadhaddadmusic I was fortunate enough to receive a full scholarship to both! Though, my family lives in New York. I like the music coming out of Paris composers slightly more, but I don't know what this might implicate on my own music or education... Pintscher and Young at Juilliard feel quite similar (though, one might say, far more accessible and simplified) to Durieux and Pesson. Hard to say...
@@gabrielfynsk now that is an amazing decision to have to make! You can't go wrong either way... but if I had to choose one... you probably can tell I'm biased towards NYC. Jyard was great for the master's degree.
@@saadhaddadmusic Just wanted to let you know that I took this week to do some soul searching and after this time, I've decided on Juilliard! Paris will always be there for the future. Very excited!
@@gabrielfynsk amazing news man! Not a bad position to be in! I was in Paris a couple summers ago for a premiere. Fun, but you can always visit :) Welcome to New York.
I graduated my Master’s from Bowling Green State University and it is a phenomenal program, especially if you are into new music and electroacoustic music. The cost for both undergrad and graduates aren’t that high either (I got a full scholarship).
Went to grad school for composition at Michigan (a whiiiile ago). Out-of-state was expensive back then. Can't believe how astronomical the tuition is now.
This is great information , but depending on situation, private instruction might be a better fit for some people. The fastest progress I ever made was when I was taking monthly lessons with a composer. The deadlines and accountability may be all that some students need. I understand there are myriad benefits to attending proper composition programs though.
Agreed, I have a small cohort of private students that regularly study with me. One of them just had his cello piece read last week and it was phenomenal.
I'm going to start my composition major at Berklee this fall 2024. I won a full-tuition scholarship, so that is going to allow me to attend this institution. As an international going to Berklee with this kind of award, I am so excited as the time to go gets closer. Any thoughts on this school?
What are your thoughts on Northwestern? I am committing there because of my interest in more abstract new music and my teacher teaches there. I also heard Penn State was on the rise, and Jacobs has always been one of the best for a large university
All great places, hard to choose just 7! I felt faculty at northwestern not as aesthetically diverse as others on list. But def a top top school for composition and music broadly!
What are your thoughts on Jacobs School of Music at IU Bloomington? Just accepted my undergrad offer there for composition, and I was wondering if you had any experience with or knowledge of them. I always appreciate these neat videos for collegiate/younger composers.
Do you have any thoughts on Duquesne University’s Mary Pappert School of music or Temple University’s Boyer college of music? Looking at several choices for music technology programs.
I am a Composer and Violinist ,is there a Master program that covers both fields or I have to decant just for one ?,it is a problem for me because my works are written with the purpose of playing by myself. Which program should I take?
New School has a dedicated performer/composer Masters that I've heard good things about. I'm in a MA/PhD at UC Berkeley and about half of the students are performing their own music in some kind of way even though it's officially a composition degree.
Here's my updated take on the top U.S. colleges to attend as an aspiring undergraduate composer.
Hi! I'm a high school junior in Florida, and, assuming that I don't get into the out-of-state schools I'm looking to apply to, do you think the University of Miami or Florida State University would be better for a composition major?
@@samrose565 both great places! Especially via in state tuition!
I'm going to be starting as a freshman composition major at IU Jacobs School of Music next fall. The ammount of opportunities there, largely due to its size, is insane.
I’m going to go to my local state school UW Madison next year for music composition, which should be nice so that I don’t have to spend too much money while also learning a lot.
@@lukeschwartz36 absolutely, another amazing place! Hard to list just 7!
I studied composition at Berklee and it was incredible. Boston is an amazing city and the Boston Symphony Orchestra is one of the best.
Great video Saad! I love how your points of emphasis at the end of the video. This is a great resource for anyone trying to navigate the complicated factors of choosing a program in the US!
^one of the best new music piano advocates in the world right here; thanks Robert!
I'm currently in the composition program at SUNY Fredonia, and for the price I think it's actually a very good program. It's also a pretty large program (music school of 500 students, there's 30 composers).
I want to do a video on affordable colleges in the U.S. and I’ve also heard great things about SUNY Fredonia, thx for sharing!!
While the academic route is not really for me, I still found this video very useful...but a good number of the composers/professors you mentioned are new to me and I am going to check out their music now, so thanks Saad!
All fantastic in different ways !
One school that I think deserves to be mentioned is the University of North Texas College of Music! It is a fantastic option for composition, especially for those interested in wind band composition or jazz composition/arranging (in fact the jazz studies program and the composition division often intertwine). The electronic/commerical music scene here is incredibly robust as well, possessing one of the most state-of-the-art intermedia theaters and studios in the nation.
I’m close to finishing up my undergraduate degree in composition here at UNT, and I can confidently say I’ve never been met with so many performance opportunities as a composer before - everything from chamber music to electronic music to symphonic orchestra and wind ensemble. There’s even more beyond that, too. UNT has it all!
My teacher (now friend!) Bruce Broughton enjoyed his residency there. I’ve heard great things too. Thank you for all this detail that you’re providing for the community here. I’m biased towards the coastal schools so thank you for this!
@@saadhaddadmusic Bruce is incredible! He visits campus about twice a semester, and each time I sign up for a lesson with him. He’s been a great resource and mentor to me and many others, both in the creation of music and in the music business side of things as well (which UNT also has degrees for!). We’ve definitely grown into more of a friendship as well! Just a great person all-around.
The University of North Texas Wind Ensemble is my favorite band on RUclips! Every piece is absolutely perfect
I've gone to the Midwest Composers Symposium, where composition students from several regional schools including University of Michigan gather and have their works performed, so I've heard probably dozens of works from their students. They definitely had a lot of talented students. Their styles leaned toward more accessible styles of contemporary music as opposed to more avant-garde. Hard to say whether it's who they admit or if that's the type of student they attract. People school searching should definitely look out for these types of events.
On an unrelated note, I sometimes hear people say that it's best to go to a small school for undergraduate, not just because of tuition as you mentioned, but because undergraduates aren't given as much priority with the best teachers at the school compared to graduate students. I started my degree at a very small school that didn't even have a graduate program, and transferred to a bigger school with graduate programs. My core classes like theory, ear training, and history were far better at the smaller school, although there's a good chance that it was just luck because my teachers at the smaller school were graduate students at the larger school I transferred to. However at the larger school, I had a lot more highly skilled classmates to look up to and learn from, and since they had more teachers, I heard more perspectives.
Edit: Also, larger schools will have usually have more international, therefore ESL students, which can sometimes "dumb down" the classes. Even if you're a native speaker, or highly fluent, you should consider the lowest score your school requires on language tests. Obviously there are benefits to having international classmates, but if the English requirements are really low, you might notice some consequences.
Yes, UMich generally speaking is more on the “conservative” side. The Ivy’s and a smattering of others tend to be more on the experimental side. Obviously I am generalizing for the sake of brevity.
Currently attending Boston Conservatory at Berklee and it’s awesome! :)
Amazing! So many great places 🙏🏽
as a current Rice grad student I will say it's the best graduate program for those who would like to become orchestral composers. The Shepherd orchestra (even though it is going through an odd patch right now) is without a doubt the best conservatory orchestra in the US, and every graduating graduate composition student gets a performance either on a subscription series concert or on a new music for orchestra concert. That means there's no "orchestra reading session" like they do at Juilliard or IU. It also means that every student will at least get on a new music for orchestra concert, so there's no competition between the composers to get a spot on those concerts like there is at Juilliard or USC.
Yep yep yep, well said ^ list was more geared towards undergrads. I would list Rice much higher if the list was for MM programs. I almost went there myself 🤣 (maybe I should have!)
Would love to hear your take on Juilliard vs Paris for a master’s degree in composition… currently deliberating two offers and really feeling unsure and overwhelmed
Where do you want to be? Which one doesn’t put you in debt? Congrats on both offers!
@@saadhaddadmusic I was fortunate enough to receive a full scholarship to both! Though, my family lives in New York. I like the music coming out of Paris composers slightly more, but I don't know what this might implicate on my own music or education... Pintscher and Young at Juilliard feel quite similar (though, one might say, far more accessible and simplified) to Durieux and Pesson. Hard to say...
@@gabrielfynsk now that is an amazing decision to have to make! You can't go wrong either way... but if I had to choose one... you probably can tell I'm biased towards NYC. Jyard was great for the master's degree.
@@saadhaddadmusic Just wanted to let you know that I took this week to do some soul searching and after this time, I've decided on Juilliard! Paris will always be there for the future. Very excited!
@@gabrielfynsk amazing news man! Not a bad position to be in! I was in Paris a couple summers ago for a premiere. Fun, but you can always visit :) Welcome to New York.
I graduated my Master’s from Bowling Green State University and it is a phenomenal program, especially if you are into new music and electroacoustic music. The cost for both undergrad and graduates aren’t that high either (I got a full scholarship).
Absolutely I’ve heard a lot of great things from that program too. Hard to pick 7!
Went to grad school for composition at Michigan (a whiiiile ago). Out-of-state was expensive back then. Can't believe how astronomical the tuition is now.
really out of control these days!!!
Thank you so much for making a video like this! Any ideas on CSULB composition?
I made a video about that school! Look on my channel
Any thoughts about MSM? That's where I'm committing in the fall. I'm going there instead of USC or UMich, which I both got into.
Great school especially if you want to be in NYC. I just personally am biased towards the university experience
This is great information , but depending on situation, private instruction might be a better fit for some people. The fastest progress I ever made was when I was taking monthly lessons with a composer. The deadlines and accountability may be all that some students need. I understand there are myriad benefits to attending proper composition programs though.
Agreed, I have a small cohort of private students that regularly study with me. One of them just had his cello piece read last week and it was phenomenal.
What about Eastman? They're renown for music in general.... is their composition less?
Back in 80s/90s, yes it was one of the big powerhouses for composition.
My theory III/IV professor (who also taught my arranging class and organ) did his graduate degrees at Oberlin and University of Michigan.
Nice not bad!
I'm going to start my composition major at Berklee this fall 2024. I won a full-tuition scholarship, so that is going to allow me to attend this institution. As an international going to Berklee with this kind of award, I am so excited as the time to go gets closer. Any thoughts on this school?
You have the Haddad Stamp of Approval on this one 💐 that’s amazing!!
What are your thoughts on Northwestern? I am committing there because of my interest in more abstract new music and my teacher teaches there. I also heard Penn State was on the rise, and Jacobs has always been one of the best for a large university
All great places, hard to choose just 7! I felt faculty at northwestern not as aesthetically diverse as others on list. But def a top top school for composition and music broadly!
What are your thoughts on Jacobs School of Music at IU Bloomington? Just accepted my undergrad offer there for composition, and I was wondering if you had any experience with or knowledge of them. I always appreciate these neat videos for collegiate/younger composers.
I’ve heard it’s a great place to be esp for undergrad!
Do you have any thoughts on Duquesne University’s Mary Pappert School of music or Temple University’s Boyer college of music? Looking at several choices for music technology programs.
Music tech programs are not really my speciality!
I am a Composer and Violinist ,is there a Master program that covers both fields or I have to decant just for one ?,it is a problem for me because my works are written with the purpose of playing by myself.
Which program should I take?
It’s a case by case basis with each program, esp for masters - I’ve seen this a lot for undergrads
New School has a dedicated performer/composer Masters that I've heard good things about. I'm in a MA/PhD at UC Berkeley and about half of the students are performing their own music in some kind of way even though it's officially a composition degree.
@@matmuntz CalArts also has a Performer/Composer masters program
@@matmuntz there you go, amazing; thanks for commenting on this!
what music do you use in your video? specifically at the julliard part
Josef Suk, Serenade, Op 6, performed by A Far Cry
Peabody for Errbody
can we go?