compo^_^guy said:
im planning to apply to sydney con for composition, i know that i have to have an interview and hand in like three of my compositions(just the ones from the hsc), but i have know idea what like the expected standard is, or how good everyone else is, i dont know what they expect....anyone know people applying for Bmus in composition??
been there and done it and doing the course... so here's my advice if you want it
speaking to other composition guys about their interview, we all had been asked if we were interested/compose in
avante-garde style. So expect that question to pop up. Be honest, really. If you don't like some avante garde, say you're willing to draw upon techniques, you wanna hear a range of music and be totally aware etc.
Expect to name composers you're interested and inspired by.
people that didn't get in - i noticed that they stuck to what they knew - they said they composed only tonal/atonal etc. You need to have an open mind, but look focused too.
Generally, just be honest. The composition course has traditional tonal music (bach etc) and also some 20th century avante garde stuff. Just be totally interested and be yourself, otherwise the course was probably never meant for you.
Finishing your HSC and showing them your majorworks - don't hesitate to push them into listening and viewing more than one recording/score. I PUSHED michael smetanin to look at another piece, cuz he was about to finish up with me (and looked like he wasn't pleased - it was one of my worst pieces) and they were very interested in the second piece!
Have a look at what the course involves. It may give you some ideas about telling them what parts of the course you're interested in, such as Music Technology, Compositional Techniques & Analysis, Performer-Composer Workshop....
But yeah
The standards - well, I didn't do very well in my Music 2 & Extension compared to the rest of the state. But I didn't know this during my interview. Just sell yourself. Do your best in the comp, there isn't really much more you could do other than to do your best in the comp and sell yourself in the interview. the interview is a chance to talk to them and tell them your concept, rather than throwing a score at them to figure out.
Hope that helps! If you want more info, PM me, or keep asking questions