Is Eastman the best?

Well, I don't know exactly where I've read it, but turns out Eastman has the best composition department. If not the best, than one of the leading for sure.

What does best exactly mean? Now, I know, a particular school has to suit you in order for you to get out the best from it and for them to get out the best in you.

If you were making a list, what criteria for leading composition department would you choose?

And do you have your own ranking?

Eastman isn't "the best."

I'd rather talk about this in real time, so plese contact me by AIM-- schwanendreher89

well...being a Michigan grad, I'm biased. Truth be told, Eastman has been more conservative whereas Michigan is liberal as far as composition.

Bah, Corbin, I hate it when you steal these conversations for yourself. I rather like being able to read them. :(

Bah, Corbin, I hate it when you steal these conversations for yourself. I rather like being able to read them. :(

Sadly, I don't have AIM so there was no conversation.

While there may be music schools that are better than others, I can't stress enough that what matters about a music school is how much you put into it yourself. I could get just as good as a music education in a no name music department as I could if I went to julliard depending on how much time and effort I put into it. It's just that simple.

While there may be music schools that are better than others, I can't stress enough that what matters about a music school is how much you put into it yourself. I could get just as good as a music education in a no name music department as I could if I went to julliard depending on how much time and effort I put into it. It's just that simple.

Seconded. I went through a lot of heart-wrenching struggles internally about the legitimacy of the program I ended up at. I applied all over, and was accepted and offered scholarships at a few prestigious programs, but given my financial situation, couldn't justify the debt I would accrue. So I ended up at an in-state school and while I cursed it at first, it turned out to be a very good decision. Cost aside, it's vastly underrated and has an outstanding faculty. But I digress. Even if this was not the case, I could make a good education for myself. Especially as a composer, one must be responsible for their own education. No matter the program you're in, to be the best composer you can be, it requires outside "curiosity" and a desire to learn and improve. Sticking to any curriculum exclusively may make you a better composer, but it certainly won't make you well-rounded or help you find a voice. Most places with decent practice facilities and a good music library as well as a few involved, genuinely caring professors - coupled with your desire to excel - should let you be yourself and learn.

Don't pay for more than you should.

No matter the program you're in, to be the best composer you can be, it requires outside "curiosity" and a desire to learn and improve.

Definitely. And sooner or later you'll be "on the street all alone" as a composer anyways, with nobody to tell you what is right and wrong and good and bad. Better already get used to becoming your own critic and advisor early enough.

But of course, as Nico said, finding a professor that is right for you is also a very important part - and this can't really be measured by the general "esteem" of a school. Also keep in mind that schools constantly change. Some schools may have a great reputation for things (teachers, courses, whatever) that may actually no longer exist like that, while others might hire a new professor, change around the composition program or whatever, and suddenly be able to offer way more than their reputation suggests.

Weirdly, or perhaps it's just me, even though many of those rankings mention Thornton and Yale, I haven't seen a lot of people inquiring about them here.

Anyone else?

Yale comes to mind when the GRADUATE school is mentioned. Yale college is, of course, strong in anything, but they are not a music school.

USC is good too... So I don't know why you would let people's questions persuade you.

Corbin... Why is it such a problem to write it all down, those things you meant to say on AIM?

Um, that was a response to something else... not anything I have to say on the topic as a whole.

My piano professor is an Eastman graduate... great school, is definitely top three along with Juilliard and Indiana U. But can only be the best if you dedicate yourself to your program, like any study in academia.