Composition Portfolios

Does anyone have any idea what music colleges might expect to see in a composition portfolio? in an individual composition?

and I mean aside from having a recording and a score, what do they listen for in a piece of music you make?

First of all, I didn't have any recordings, and I got accepted. :ninja: I did, however, play one of my pieces in the interview. Did you know you have to do an interview?

For your scores, show them diversity. I gave them a song for voice and piano, which was very chromatic, jazzy, and slow, a three-movement string quartet(my number 3), of which its outer movements are very rambunctious and it's inner is a sweet, lento variations on a three-note motif, and two short piano pieces, both rather upbeat and bordering on atonal. I'm sure this doesn't sound like the most variation, but give them what you have. ;)

As for the interview, DO NOT PREPARE. It's stupid. If you really want to be a composer(which is something you should seriously think about before even applying), then you'll do perfectly fine in the interview. And if you're not what they're looking for, it's not your fault.

This, of course, coming from someone who only interviewed at one school, and got accepted. ;) But I hope it helps.

what school do you go to?

would you say that diversity necessarily means making sure you have arrangements for several different instruments? or would short piano pieces of different styles be sufficient?

i didn't even think about the interview. Is there anything I should at least expect from one?

I only sent in four pieces in my portfolio. One was a very latin sounding piece for concert band, another was a happy (depressing) piece for concert band, the third was a three movement euphonium trio piece, and the fourth was a solo that I had to hand write. I didn't have an interview so it depends on which school you apply too. I also didn't sent in a recording. I know some schools like The University of Texas or The University of North Texas make you audition on your principal instrument first. Once you get into the music school then they look at your portfolio. So I would check what ever school you're applying for and practice. I know for instance at UT and UNT I had to place in the top 5 euphonium players out of at least 50 to be even considered for getting in the music school.

I didn't have real "recordings" of my pieces, I just put the midi files on a CD :blink: But, hey, I got accepted.

I know my college was VERY vague on what they were looking for in the compositions. I sent in 3: A march, a woodwind quartet, and a modern band piece. I also brought an atonal violin/piano piece to the interview. Just show them that you can write in different styles. If you are entering as a freshman, they arent expecting you to be perfect, they just want to see potential :D

As for the interview, don't worry about it too much. Just do your best to stay calm and most important BE YOURSELF. :cool: