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Originally Posted by iamchipsmith  What if the degree were in say Musical Composition? Would that change things? |
You would ideally want to have very solid piano skills (like you've been classically trained), a reasonable understanding of music theory, a small portfolio of pieces you've worked on (yes it's good to have composition experience BEFORE you go to school), familiarity with modern computer based composition tools...
Also have a realistic expectation of what you're going to do AFTER school with your composition degree. If composition is your passion, by all means pursue your dreams. The employment prospects are risky. The Music History professor at my school told all his classes a story about a friend of his that applied at a very prestigious conservatory for composition. He was invited to the school for an interview, and the first thing the head of the composition program asked him was, "Is there anything else you want to do with your life? If there is, you really should pursue it." He actually had already been accepted. The employment options are that bad, he was just trying to give him a last chance to back out.
Not trying to be too much of a downer but that's the reality of the music world right now :-\ FYI I have a Music Business degree (I knew full well the employment prospects were crappy). Follow your dreams but always have a backup plan.
