COMPOSITION

Researching a Berklee Major

TO BE, OR NOT TO BE…

What interests and abilities should one possess in order to

be successful as a Berklee composition major? That is the

question…

The answer: A student interested in pursuing a career as

a composition major should be well-acquainted with music

from different historical periods. The student should also

have a portfolio of original scores and a developed

compositional personality.

CORE MUSIC CURRICULUM

Berklee has a core curriculum that consists of

arranging, ear training, harmony, and music

technology. The core music curriculum is the

foundation of what Berklee offers its students and is

applicable to any major a student decides to pursue.

CORE MUSIC CURRICULUM PART I I

Arranging: Students are given the opportunity to create musical

arrangements in various styles. Arranging is an essential component

of composition, which places an emphasis on concert music.

Harmony: Students acquire musical literacy and develop skills in

analyzing music.

Ear Training: Students learn to hear the music that they see

(which will also develop their overall skills as musicians).

Music Technology: Students will learn the skills required by each

major from a technological perspective.

COURSE OF STUDY

In addition to the core music curriculum, the composition major

has it’s own separate course of study. Classes include:

Tonal Harmony/Composition: Emphasis on voice leading,

melodic writing, and figured bass.

Conducting: Study of techniques of conducting vocal and

instrumental music.

Counterpoint: Focuses on the contrapuntal styles and

techniques of innovative composers throughout history.

And more…

CAREERS

Students majoring in composition have many options for careers

in music, which are all very rewarding. Some of them include:

Composer: Professional composers create instrumental pieces

for specific channels such as film, television, live performance, or

recording.

Arranger: An arranger provides musical arrangements for

professional musicians based on the artist, producer, or

conductor's specifications.

CAREERS PART II

Teacher: Teach music composition in a school

setting. In addition to composition, a teacher may

teach subjects such as music theory, music

arranging, and music history. (or conduct chamber

groups, choruses, or orchestras).

Editor: Edit or develop instructional music books

for students and various musicians.

ALAN SILVESTRI

Most recognized

for scoring the

films Back to the

Future, Predator,

and Forrest

Gump.

Graduated Berklee in 1970.

ALAN SILVESTRI PART II

At Berklee, Alan was a guitar and composition major.

Never on his career path had he ever considered scoring

films, he originally wanted to be a bebop guitar player.

One day a friend called Alan and said, "Do you want to

score a movie?” To which he replied, "Uh, sure.”

“I literally went to Pickwick Bookshop on Hollywood

Boulevard and asked them if they had any books on film

scoring because I was about to score a film. They had

one written by Earle Hagen. I read the book and did the

job. Next thing I know I'm a film composer.” (Silvestri)

CONCLUSION

Alan Silvestri is an example of success as a

composition major at Berklee College of Music.

A composition major will learn the skills to function

as a composer of concert music with the options of

pursuing a career as a teacher, scholar, and/or

practitioner of music theory and composition.

WORKS CITED

http://www.berklee.edu/

http://popdose.com/the-composers-alan-silvestri/

http://www.imdb.com/

By: Matt Wood

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