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 composing scholarships?
Author: psychotic lil clarinet girl (don't as 
Date:   2005-03-27 23:48

Is it possible to get a scholarship just by showing someone your compositions (if they're good enough, I mean)? I'm just wondering, because that would be really cool if that were true...



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 Re: composing scholarships?
Author: EEBaum 
Date:   2005-03-28 00:02

Full-ride scholarship?

I've gotten a small composition scholarship for an ongoing project I'm still working on.

For graduate school I imagine it's more likely. What does commonly happen is that your ride through graduate school is taken care of. Granted, it's usually taken care of by you teaching or TAing a theory course, but from my impressions you are generally not expected to enter a comp grad school with a load of money in your pocket to pay for it.

I'm pretty sure full-ride scholarships for comp grad school are given out here and there; your stuff has to be REALLY good.

Full-ride comp scholarships for incoming freshmen, I don't know if they exist. Comp majors often don't take composition courses until their third year (when comp juries start, at my school), and some schools let you declare with a very minimal portfolio, or even just with expressed interest (the first jury will weed out anyone who isn't up to it).

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

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 Re: composing scholarships?
Author: psychotic lil clarinet girl (don't as 
Date:   2005-03-28 00:15

hm... I'm just lookin' for any kind of scholarship whatsoever. Every little bit helps.



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 Re: composing scholarships?
Author: EEBaum 
Date:   2005-03-28 00:26

Looking for a school for undergrad? Most likely, you'll have to start a program without a composition scholarship unless you're writing something absolutely stellar. Once you're in a program and writing, there are often scholarships for continuing students, usually funded by a foundation someone established or, if you're lucky, a corporation.

I'd recommend trying to find a non-composition-specific scholarship, whether or not based at a particular university, that you qualify for.

You really haven't given us much to go on. Do you intend to major in composition? Has any of your music been performed? What kind of music are you writing? etc.

There are also composition competitions, usually held annually, in various places around the country. People will give you varying opinions as to whether or not they are worth applying for. You send them a copy of your music if it fits their criteria (e.g. a 3-5 minute piece for string quartet), and they pick the one they like best, usually give the winner a bit of cash (perhaps $100-$2000, likely towards the lower end), and perform it at a concert. Many of them have age limits to keep the old pros out. Note that many composers have a folder full of pieces they've written, and just pull out an appropriate piece whenever such a contest comes around.

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

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 Re: composing scholarships?
Author: Contra 
Date:   2005-03-28 00:39

I've found very few music scholarships besides the ones requiring auditions.

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 Re: composing scholarships?
Author: psychotic lil clarinet girl (don't as 
Date:   2005-03-28 00:51

hm... Well I would like to become a composer one day, while at the same time be able to perform. I've written two 5 page songs for piano... One in Eb minor one in G minor. I really don't know what style of music you could call it though. I'm just thinking, if I continue to compose at the rate I'm going, I'm likely to get better at it. It's a hobby of mine, and I was just kind of wondering if I could put it to use.



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 Re: composing scholarships?
Author: EEBaum 
Date:   2005-03-28 01:10

Keep at it!

I wouldn't expect a scholarship at "wondering if I could put it to use" though. "I've been doing this for years and getting lots of performances with good reviews" isn't all that likely to get a scholarship.

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

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 Re: composing scholarships?
Author: Melissa 
Date:   2005-03-28 19:02

Check out this website for some information on a composing scholarship.

http://www.nationalguild.org/programs/youngcomposers.htm

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 Re: composing scholarships?
Author: clarinetist04 
Date:   2005-03-28 20:33

The only way that you're going to get a scholarship as an undergrad (from my research and experience) is of you've written orchestral music of very high quality. Basically, you're up against graduate students who aren't TA-ing courses who need grants and scholarships. Very likely, they don't discriminate between the two because of the wierd nature of the field (that is, if you're an undergrad or a grad student, the quality of them music is important...they don't know if you will excel at it or what). A reality check: unless you've got your own "language" of writing, you can forget even a CHANCE of a scholarship...sorry to douse your hopes, but that's the reality of it all. Composing is a very difficult field to do well in. Most people who go into college don't have a lot under their belt. Mostly chamber music with a lot usually written for your instrument (the one the composer is most proficient on...that's not a bad thing, I mean look at Chopin or Liszt). But keep writing. It'll be handy in the future. I have a friend who had written many pieces and got several performances before entering college and didn't get any sort of scholarship (albeit, it is possible to get financial aid/grants).

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 Re: composing scholarships?
Author: RodRubber 
Date:   2005-03-29 02:33

Lil...

The best thing to do would be to get a portfolio of compositions together for submission. When i was applying for college, i was accepted as a double degree major in clarinet and comp. I quit comp after my sophomore yr, because i was more interested in "chillen" than really composing all day, because, im sure i don't have to tell you how much time composing takes up, especially coupled with clarinet practice.

Have you ever taken any composition lessons, or atleast showed your works to a composer for some helpful hints?

that would be a great idea



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 Re: composing scholarships?
Author: 3dogmom 
Date:   2005-03-30 00:37

Hey Mary -

Don't forget your clarinet practicing, too. You've worked so hard. That's going to help you get somewhere as well. Keep plugging there too.
Sue

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