FAQ — School of Music

1.Where can I find out about the UofL Music Composition faculty?
A: Short bios of the Composition faculty are at the following link:
http://louisville.edu/music/faculty-staff/Faculty
Links to more extensive individual faculty home pages are included in the short bios.

2. Will I have a choice of teachers?
A: If possible, a student’s choice of composition teacher is accommodated. The composition program at UofL does encourage students to work with several faculty composers, when practical. During a two-year graduate program it’s less practical or desirable to change composition teachers more than once, and some students will work with only one composition teacher for the whole two-year program. During a four-year undergraduate program, it’s more likely and desirable to work with several of the composition teachers. The composition teachers at UofL work together well and have complementary teaching characteristics. Students shift easily among the composition faculty.

3. How many composition students are there at UofL?
A: Usually, there are about twenty students studying composition at UofL. There are eight to ten graduate majors and six to eight undergraduate majors. Typically, there are also three to four non-major composition students taking composition lessons as elective study or to fulfill theory requirements. In the next few years, we anticipate a small increase in the number of composition majors, to about ten to twelve at each level, graduate and undergraduate.

4. Will I be able to hear my compositions performed? How does this happen at UofL?
A: There are many opportunities to hear your compositions performed. There are at least three Student Composer Concerts scheduled each year. New compositions may also be scheduled on weekly convocations, and works are sometimes performed on recitals and concerts of performance majors and ensembles. Advanced works may be considered for the New Music Festival held each fall. In addition, occasional concerts are planned that use professional performers in the community. The senior recital, a requirement, is another opportunity to present compositions. (See question #15.)

In general, student composers find their own performers. However, the faculty will assist students in identifying appropriate performers, help to facilitate communication with student performers and/or their teachers, and advise in rehearsals. There are many fine student performers at the School of Music who have a strong commitment to new music. Finding performers is not usually a problem. In general, however, the composition faculty’s perspective is that securing public performances (finding performers, rehearsing a new work, and presenting it) is an important part of professional preparation. Obviously, the level of the student is considered in this context, as well as how long a student has been at the School of Music.

5.How many performances should I expect in a year? How many pieces will I be expected to write per semester?
A: In general, the creation and premiere of a new composition each semester is urged. Of course, this will vary with the scope and nature of the composition. Usually, a work that is written one semester will be premiered during the next. There is no upper limit to the number of works a student may have performed.

6. Are there opportunities for readings or performances of larger ensemble works, such as orchestra, band, and chorus?
A: There are some opportunities for readings by larger ensembles. These are usually arranged individually, in consultation with the ensemble directors. This is also true of performances. Often, these readings will occur at the end of the semester, typically during the orchestration class or band scoring class reading sessions.

7. Will I be able to write what I want to write?
A: The composition program is designed to give a student the necessary skill and craftsmanship to be successful at the next level of development, with a particular emphasis on preparation for graduate school at the masters or doctoral level. In the process of this preparation, the student also acquires a tremendous range of skills that may be applied successfully in professional circumstances other than graduate school. For example, orchestration and composition skills might be applied to commercial work. This would be an indirect result of the training received in the program.

To the extent possible, the composition teachers work with the students to plan projects and goals that are exciting to the student and serve his or her most significant current developmental needs. To be successful, a well-rounded, wide-ranging compositional technique is necessary, and students are guided with this in mind. However, it’s also crucial to the students’ development that he or she is enthusiastic about projects, because that is when the best work and the best learning are most likely to occur.

UofL composition students come from many different backgrounds. Everyone's experience of becoming and being a composer is just a little bit different. There is no one single method that works for everyone. Perhaps the simplest way to describe the UofL perspective is that students are expected to grow and progress from wherever they are to a higher level of skill and sophistication and acquire a wider range of capabilities.

8. Do you teach popular music or film music composition?
A: The program doesn’t teach these skills directly, but it does provide the foundational craftsmanship and technique for success in these fields. Many of our students have been successfully involved in popular and commercial music to such an extent that they’ve received record label contracts, etc. The School of Music does offer a Film Scoring course, currently taught by John LaBarbera, which may be taken as an elective.

9. What benefits will I get from the Grawemeyer Award in Music Composition, which is based at UofL?
A: The Grawemeyer Award in Music Composition is one of the most significant music composition awards in the world. It carries a monetary award of $200,000 and has been won by some of the world’s greatest composers. For more information about the award, please visit the following web page: http://www.Grawemeyer.org/music/index.html

There are many benefits composition students receive from having the Grawemeyer Award based at the University School of Music. Winning Grawemeyer composers, past and present, visit the School of Music to present lectures and master classes and to rehearse ensembles for performances of their work. All of these events are open and available to the students.

About 170 compositions are submitted each year for consideration for the Grawemeyer Award, and all of these scores and matching recordings become part of the permanent collection of the Dwight Anderson Music Library (within the School of Music building). These materials are available for student use and are regularly used as resources by individuals and classes.

Search the Grawemeyer catalog on line at…
http://www.louisville.edu/library/music/coll/grawemeyer.html
The database may be searched by various criteria, including composer, instrumentation, date of submission, and title.

Another benefit of the Grawemeyer Award in Music Composition is that the music library is the recipient of special funding for purchase of new music. All published works by Grawemeyer Award winning composers are purchased and made available. In addition, additional funds make large purchases of non-winning composers’ works possible, to the extent that the Dwight Anderson Music Library is one of the best university libraries for new music. The new music collection is simply outstanding and continues to grow.

10. What facilities or opportunities are available for recordings of my works?
A: There isn’t an official recording studio on campus, but the performance spaces at the School of Music are exceptional, and these are made available in a variety of ways for recordings of student works. Ordinarily, an outside contractor professionally records the Student Composer Concerts, and a CD is given to each student composer represented on a concert. The same process is used for Senior Recitals, special graduate recitals, New Music Festival concerts, and various other special concerts. For performances that fall outside one of these concerts, the School of Music makes a digital archive copy available for duplication for a small fee ($5-10). If a student wishes to make a non-live recording, the composition teachers can help make the arrangements for using the performing spaces, but each student handles recording costs separately. There is a digital audio recording device built into Comstock Recital Hall that can be used for do it yourself recordings. The current rate for a local recording specialist is about $50/hour. This rate is for on-site recording, studio recording, or editing time.

11. Is new music a part of the regular concert season at the school?
A: Yes, one of the missions of the School of Music is new music, so student and faculty performers and ensembles regularly perform new or recent works. There are also many guest performers and ensembles that include new music on performances, and new music specialists are regularly brought to campus. Because of Louisville’s history of emphasis on new music and the Grawemeyer Award, new music has a high profile.

12. What other new music experiences are available in Louisville and the surrounding region?
A: Several exceptionally fine local small ensembles and soloists regularly include performances of new music as part of their concerts and concert series. In addition, major performing organizations, such as the Louisville Orchestra, Louisville Ballet, and the Kentucky Opera, to name a few, include occasional programming of new music. Louisville’s location also places it about a two-hour drive from Indianapolis, Nashville, Bloomington (Indiana University), and Cincinnati. Louisville is about four hours drive from St. Louis and about six hours from Chicago.

13. Are UofL graduates in music composition successful?
A: Yes, UofL graduates have been successful in both continued academic studies and non-academic pursuits. The composition program has had excellent success placing students in composition programs at the next level, whether students are moving on to masters or doctoral work. In fact, all of our composition graduates who pursue the next level of academic study have had success, usually in their school of choice. Most of our graduates have received financial aid at the next academic level, sometimes very significant support.

Our composition graduates who choose to pursue non-academic activities are usually quite successful. Some former students have received recording contracts through their work with popular music groups. Others have started successful commercial music enterprises, such as music engraving.

In general, the UofL composition graduates have a very strong track record of success at the next level, whatever that might be.

14. What is the Senior Recital?
A: This is a requirement for undergraduate composition majors. It is a recital of original compositions written while a student at UofL, organized, and presented by the students, with the supervision of the composition faculty. Typically, this recital happens in the final semester of study at the undergraduate level. The recital is a public summation of the undergraduate work of the composition students.

The required minimum total duration of the recital music is 45 minutes. With set changes and such, the recital is usually about an hour long. Since most students have usually written more 45 minutes of music by the time of the Senior Recital, and since they have been presenting it regularly during their four years of study, the Senior Recital is typically a high point of great satisfaction and personal accomplishment. It's a big undertaking, and there's a lot to organize, but the composition teachers guide the process, and it's almost always a very enjoyable, exciting event.

Admissions, Applications, Awards, Costs, etc.

15. What are the admission requirements to become a music composition major at the University of Louisville School of Music, and how do I apply?
A: To be accepted into the composition program, students must meet the University of Louisville admission requirements and the School of Music admission requirements.

Undergraduate admissions: http://louisville.edu/admissions

Graduate admissions: http://graduate.louisville.edu/apply

In addition, composition majors must pass a portfolio review. Prospective composition majors submit a portfolio of three or four samples of original compositions, along with recordings for the same works, if possible. Evidence of experience using various instrumental and/or vocal combinations is helpful. Students who have questions about what to submit in the portfolio should feel free to ask questions before submitting. The goal should be to submit the best possible audition portfolio, because a strong audition portfolio could result in an offer of a scholarship.

Composition portfolios are circulated among the Theory and Composition faculty, each of whom makes an evaluation and a recommendation about admission and financial aid. Students are notified of the results of portfolio reviews as soon as possible. Be patient, portfolio reviews can take time. However, we understand the urgency involved, and we make every attempt to move the process along.

The portfolio review is one stage of the admissions process, which also includes submitting the following.

An application to the university

Transcripts

Required test scores (ACT or GRE and/or TOEFL)

Recommendations (graduate students and scholarship applicants)

A financial aid application (if scholarship assistance is sought)

All undergraduate applicants are also required to perform an audition on a principal instrument or voice.

Portfolios should be sent to

Admissions Counselor
School of Music
University ofLouisville
Louisville KY 40292.

Portfolios should be received by Feb. 15 for full consideration.

16. What are the course requirements for the degree programs?
A: Course requirements are on line at the following addresses.

Undergraduate course requirements:
http://louisville.edu/undergraduatecatalog/majors/majors.html#m

Graduate course requirements:
http://louisville.edu/graduatecatalog/programs/degree-programs/academic/gu/

17. How much does it cost to study music composition at the University of Louisville?
A: Tuition costs are set by the university:http://louisville.edu/finance/bursar/tuition

Other costs include a place to live and food to eat (room and board), transportation to and from school, books, clothing, etc. In general, the cost of living in Louisville is about the same as the national average: a bit less than really large cities and a bit more than really small towns. Information about on-campus housing and meals may be found at the following links:
http://louisville.edu/student/housing/index.html

http://louisville.edu/housing/housingoptions/rates/livingcosts.html

The cost of off-campus housing may be researched in The Courier Journal classified ads (among other places), at the following links:
The Courier Journal Real Estate Classified Ads

The Courier Journal Classifieds Home Page

18. What financial aid is available for composition majors? What are my options for financial assistance?
A: Financial aid opportunities are different for undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to information you find here, please be sure to carefully research all other available options, including various student loan programs and grants. Here is the link for the UofL Student Financial Aid Office…http://www.louisville.edu/student/services/fin-aid/

Graduate Financial Aid for composition and theory majors is exceptional at UofL. In addition to Graduate Teaching Assistantships in theory and Graduate Service Awards for composition or theory, there are several fellowships available. The GTAs and the fellowships are very competitive with other universities. Please see the following page for more information: http://louisville.edu/music/academics/areas-of-study/music-composition/awards-and-financial-aid
Undergraduate Financial Aid for composition and theory majors is fairly limited. However, there are many related sources for financial aid for undergraduates. If performance skills are strong or on a sought after instrument, such as oboe, bassoon, or viola, for example, financial aid for performing in major ensembles is a possibility. There are academic scholarships available for students whose high school grades are exceptionally high. For southern Indiana students, there are reciprocal in-state tuition plans. Finally, there are a couple of competitive undergraduate composition scholarships available. Please see the following page for more information: http://louisville.edu/music/academics/areas-of-study/music-composition/awards-and-financial-aid

Especially for Graduate Students

19. Will I have an opportunity to teach?
A: For students with appropriate skills, there is an opportunity to work with high school students through Words, Music, Opera!, a program developed by the Kentucky Opera. Composition students may be hired by the Kentucky Opera to coordinate Words, Music, Opera! in high schools throughout the Louisville metropolitan area. Money earned through this program is additional to any financial aid received from UofL.

Our second year Graduate Teaching Assistants typically teach an undergraduate theory course, usually first year theory (MUS 141-142). First year Graduate Teaching Assistants will have some occasional opportunities to substitute for various faculty in a wide variety of courses, but there is no full-time responsibility for a course. Students may also volunteer to serve as tutors for various theory courses.

20. What should I include in my composition application portfolio?
A: Graduate program applicants should include three works (with accompanying recording when possible) that give evidence of composing successfully for a variety of ensembles. Applicants who are applying for Teaching Assistantships should also give evidence of theoretical work, such as articles, class papers, undergraduate thesis, etc.

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE GRADUATE PROGRAM AND APPLICATION PORTFOLIO.

Especially for Entering Undergraduate Composition Students

21.How can I best prepare to enter the undergraduate composition program at UofL?
A: Compose, compose, compose!…and take your performance skills and your theory exposure seriously. The more ground you can cover before college, the more your training at UofL will mean for you. Many high schools offer some form of music theory training, even if informally. If not, talk with your ensemble directors to see if they can point you in the right direction to get more music theory information and practice. There are several fine music theory practice programs available for purchase (including Musica Practica, MacGamut, and Auralia, to name a few – all for both Windows and Mac), and there are many less extensive (but still very useful) freeware or shareware programs available for download. Try ZDNET to explore some freeware of shareware programs; search the Downloads for “music theory” or “Ear Training.” Another very good online practice program is found at Music Theory On Line.

22. What should I include in my composition application portfolio?
A: Undergraduate program applicants should include three original compositions (with accompanying recording when possible). Evidence of experience writing for various instrumental and/or vocal combinations is desirable.

Portfolios should be sent t0

Admissions Counselor
School of Music
University ofLouisville
Louisville KY 40292.

Portfolios should be received by Feb. 15 for full consideration.

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM AND APPLICATION PORTFOLIO.

Especially for International Students

23. How can I find information about the English language requirement (TOEFL) and other requirements for International students, including application dates?
A: UofL has on line information for International students…

Undergraduate –http://louisville.edu/admissions/apply/international

Graduate – http://graduate.louisville.edu/sigs/admissions/international-students.html