Take a look at the application/audition/portfolio requirements for graduate programs in music composition. This will tell you what you need to know in order to proceed. Note that there are also other ways to improve your proficiency, learn music theory, and study composition beside getting a degree. Consider community colleges as well as online programs where you can learn more.

Look at the application/audition requirements at schools you may want to apply to. You’re likely to see that an interview and a portfolio of your original scores and recordings are part of the application process. A video of you performing on your primary instrument may also be required. If you don’t feel like you’ll be ready to meet these requirements by next fall, it would be good to get assistance now. Also plan to take a summer music program where you can focus on the areas where you fall short in order to be ready to apply to music schools in your senior year.

You might also consider programs that focus on music + technology. Start by reading our article on Music Production and reviewing the programs named below the article. Several of them offer Music Technology programs that include composition components.

Every school is different. So we suggest you contact each one you’re interested in applying to and ask this question if it is not already answered on their website under their audition/portfolio requirements. Schools that ask for a portfolio often want you to interview with them as well.

The acceptance rates also vary from school to school depending on how large the department is, how competitive the school is, how ready and able they feel you are for their program, and whether they think their program can provide the education and training that will help you take your music up many notches.

Most students apply to a range of schools including one that they are likely to get in to and would be fine going to but not their top choice (“safety” school); a school that may be beyond their abilities but worth trying for anyway (“reach” school); and a few schools in between for which you think you’re a good fit from everything you’ve learned about the schools and know about yourself (“match” schools).

First, look at the application and audition requirements at schools you’ve been thinking about applying to. Do you think you’d qualify? Then, look at the required classes for composition majors. How excited are you when you realize what you’d be studying? Are you equally interested in pre-law and going to law school? It’s not unusual to be unsure of what you want to focus your career on at this point – for a lot of students, that’s what they go to college to find out. Liberal arts schools with strong music departments offer the opportunity to explore your interests before committing to a single focus and also typically allow you to double major, so consider that route as an option.

I’m a woman interested in and pursuing music composition (working on my masters). P, there is no wrong in doing so, and as Braden said, don’t make it a women vs men thing. It’s just petty. Just do what you love and strive for YOUR best, not in trying to get noticed in opposition to the opposite sex. Focus on what you love. All that other stuff doesn’t matter. What brought you to the site was your love for music, so let’s keep it at that and get the help we need to succeed! I love that I found this site. It’s awesome to know it exists so I can share it with others.

The B.A. degree requires less music classes than the B.M. Check out this article on for more information.

If you choose to go on to graduate school in composition, it’s possible you’d need to make up a few classes if you go the B.A. route. However, the B.A. does allow you to take more electives, and you may be able to use them to deepen your study of composition and related areas. We suggest you talk with the music faculty at schools you’re considering to find out about the options they offer and how you can get what you want.

Congratulations on getting through some prescreens! Have you read our article about transferring from community college to a 4-yr. school? It may be insightful for you.

We assume you’ve read everything on the sites of the schools you’ve been invited to audition at. If you have any questions about each of them, it’s always best to contact the admissions office as well as the department you’re applying to. It’s a great way to make yourself known before you actually show up for your audition. And it shows you’re a serious candidate.

We assume whatever you will be auditioning with will be an excellent reflection of the kind of student you will be. Remember that the schools are auditioning for you, too. The audition is all about finding the right fit, for both sides. We encourage you to read as many of our audition articles as you can – there are all kinds of suggestions and tips in each of them.

All schools are different in terms of application and audition requirements, but as a general rule of thumb, being proficient on piano is vitally important for majoring in music composition. And these days, piano proficiency is expected of music majors in general at most schools. For applying to a conservatory or music school, you would also likely be asked to show samples of your compositional work. Whether you can get yourself to the level of proficiency necessary to make it through the audition process through private lessons and daily practicing depends on how close (or far) you are to the time when you’ll need to be auditioning. Another route to consider would be a liberal arts college with a strong music program, where you would not need to audition and could explore music composition along with other areas of interest. Note that were you to get accepted into a composition program, you’d be expected to take several levels of music theory. Gaining at least a basic foundation in music theory before college would therefore be advisable.

Don’t make this a gender thing. It has nothing to do with it and it wouldn’t make a difference if there was a female student up there. Of course women can become composers, as to the women reading this, GO FOR IT! It is an amazing field of work and I believe anyone can do it.