Composition Programs

I am just finishing a bachelor's degree in Philosophy at U of T.  I'm wanting to pursue education in musical composition, specifically art music, not popular music.  I have quite a bit of working experience in the field of music education, and am applying to the Sistema Fellows Program at New England Conservatory which teaches education.  However, I want to learn composition and to study the work of composers.  As it's already halfway through January, I'm afraid I've missed the deadlines for applying to master's programs for the upcoming year.  So I'm looking for anyone who has any information on composition programs I could get involved in in the meantime.  I'm open-minded, so any suggestions would be welcomed.

Lewis

I'm really curious to know what people's "dream" programs are, and why or why not.

I'd have preferred to be a schoenberg protege between the wars, i think. Beyond that, no idea.

My dream program would be a history program which studies both the philosophy and music of the same period.  I have never studied philosophical and musical works side-by-side before, but I'm sure it's been done and it must be very fruitful.  At this point, I'd really like to get into listening, though my end goal is to learn to conduct and compose.

My dream program would be a history program which studies both the philosophy and music of the same period.  I have never studied philosophical and musical works side-by-side before, but I'm sure it's been done and it must be very fruitful. 

there was a lot of that in my second & third years at university, although it was wasted on me for whom philosophy is a total waste of time. study music at a research university rather than composition at a conservatoire i guess. (or study under a really good teacher with whom you can talk about philosophy extensively, either way)

conducting is easy, you just stand in front of the orchestra and wave your hands

The question is not specified enough. What type of "art" music interests you? More "traditional" or bolder, modernist style? Are you willing to study in your country or anywhere abroad? Are you interested in instrumental music, vocal music, theatre music, multimedia? Want to experiment on instruments and voices or you want to learn "good ol'" forms?

And don't let the trolls on this site discourage you. ;)

The question is not specified enough. What type of "art" music interests you? More "traditional" or bolder, modernist style? Are you willing to study in your country or anywhere abroad? Are you interested in instrumental music, vocal music, theatre music, multimedia? Want to experiment on instruments and voices or you want to learn "good ol'" forms?

And don't let the trolls on this site discourage you. ;)

In my experience, I think the best method is to start at the present and work my way backwards, so I'd like to start with more recent music.  For example, I am spending a lot of time listening to Stravinsky lately, so I'd love to study him.  In terms of what kind of art music, I'm really drawn to symphonies as they remind me of philosophical systems, and I'm also drawn to piano music and guitar music as I have a background on those instruments.  I'm willing to go anywhere to study, very open to travel but very comfortable at home as well.

there was a lot of that in my second & third years at university, although it was wasted on me for whom philosophy is a total waste of time. study music at a research university rather than composition at a conservatoire i guess. (or study under a really good teacher with whom you can talk about philosophy extensively, either way)

 

conducting is easy, you just stand in front of the orchestra and wave your hands

For you who waves your hands in front of orchestras:

In my experience, I think the best method is to start at the present and work my way backwards, so I'd like to start with more recent music.  For example, I am spending a lot of time listening to Stravinsky lately, so I'd love to study him.  In terms of what kind of art music, I'm really drawn to symphonies as they remind me of philosophical systems, and I'm also drawn to piano music and guitar music as I have a background on those instruments.  I'm willing to go anywhere to study, very open to travel but very comfortable at home as well.

Interesting, but that might confuse later on. Note: You do not have to do this inside a university.