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Jacobs Composition Academy Indiana University

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Welcome to the Jacobs Composition Academy!

 

Do you have musical ideas and are not sure where to take them?  Have you made up some things for your instrument but aren’t sure how to write them down?  Have you dreamed of scoring a film or writing your first symphony but are feeling lost on where to begin?  This program is for you!  Regardless of your experience level with composition we invite you to join us!

This program is focused on teaching the craft of music composition in the context of contemporary concert music.  What does that mean?  Basically, that we will be writing music for real people playing real instruments (so think classical musicians performing on a concert stage).

Why aren’t we also exploring songwriting, beat making, and music for film?  Great question.  In future iterations of this program we might.  But for now, we want to stick with the core elements of composing; melody, harmony, rhythm, form, counterpoint, structure, gesture, texture, and orchestration.  THESE are the central components to all successful music creation.  Ask any film composer if they feel that their training in counterpoint or orchestration was essential to their success … of course they will say yes!

 

The Jacobs Composition Academy is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse community.  We welcome participants of all backgrounds, races, genders, and religions.  Our faculty reflects this inclusivity so that students can see themselves represented and can find mentors to whom they relate.

All are welcome!

 

 

Video Highlights

COURSE OFFERINGS

Track 1A

Designed for pre-college and adult participants, this offering includes:

  • Weekly 60-minute masterclass, Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30PM (EST)
  • Weekly 45-minute private lesson
  • Performance of the students’ newly composed works by one of the following trios of their choice: Trio 1: clarinet, cello, piano OR Trio 2: violin, horn in F, piano
  • Performance will be scheduled upon the conclusion of the 12-week program. Participants are provided the opportunity to workshop their composition in-progress with the trio during week 9.

Tuition: $800

Track 1B

Designed for pre-college and adult participants who already study composition. Those enrolled in Track 1B will participate in all the same masterclasses, reading session, and concert performance as those in Track 1A. Track 1B students will not take private lessons with JCA faculty; rather, they will continue to work with their own private lesson instructor to ensure progress on their composition for the trio performance concert. This offering includes:

  • Weekly 60-minute masterclass, Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30PM (EST)
  • Performance of the students’ newly composed works by one of the following trios of their choice: Trio 1: clarinet, cello, piano OR Trio 2: violin, horn in F, piano
  • Performance will be scheduled upon the conclusion of the 12-week program. Participants are provided the opportunity to workshop their composition in-progress with the trio during week 9.

Tuition: $550

Track 1 Add Ons (only for those who register for Track 1A or Track 1B)

  • Intermediate Music Theory Class (Six 60-minute classes) taught by a graduate instructor
    Meets TBD (Scheduled according to availability of participants)
    $100 Add-on
  • Score Analysis Group Study Class, (Six 60-minute classes) taught by a graduate instructor
    Meets TBD (Scheduled according to availability of participants)
    $100 Add-on
  • Personal Feedback/Coaching session with Dr. Taylor (60 minutes)
    Meets one time TBD (Scheduled according to student’s availability)
    $100 Add-on
  • VIP Q&A. Be the first to get to ask questions to our Guest Composers at the end of Guest Composer Masterclasses.
    $30 Add-on
  • Extra 15 minutes with your trio during the rehearsal/workshop
    This is in addition to the usual approximately 12 minutes each participant has with the ensemble
    $50 Add-on
  • Add a Flute player to your trio
    So you now get to write for a quartet instead of a trio.
    $150 Add-on
  • Longer Private Lessons (only available to Track 1A registrants)
    Increase your private lessons by 15 minutes, from 45 minutes to 60 minutes. This is a total of 3 hours additional lesson time over the course of 12 lessons.
    $120 Add-on

Track One is specifically designed to provide the experience and tools that a high-school age composer needs to develop in order to pursue future studies at the college level.  This is a perfect course for someone preparing their composition portfolio for undergraduate applications.  It is also perfect for the adult musician (professional or amateur) desiring experience and growth in their compositional craft.  All participants in Track One will have their works performed by talented IU students in a live streamed concert.  Hearing your music performed by real people is absolutely the best way to learn to compose!

Track 2

Designed for composition students of all ages, this offering includes:

  • Weekly 30-minute lesson

Tuition: $440

Track Two is setup for those only wanting to take private composition lessons.  This may include adults who would like to ease into composing without a public performance, or for younger composers who have just recently started writing music.

*Please note, Tracks 1-2
  1. These programs are entirely virtual (using Zoom)
  2. Spring and Fall sessions each run 12 weeks in length
  3. Lessons will be scheduled according to the availability of the student and instructor
  • $50 non-refundable enrollment deposit due at registration for all levels (credited towards tuition). If you do not wish to pay tuition in full at the time of initial registration, please do not select the tuition option prior to completing registration, however tuition must be paid in full by the payment deadline in order to participate in the program.

 

REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULE

https://jacobsacademy.indiana.edu/descriptions/composition-academy.html

 

We are looking forward to making great music together!

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