The Music Composition Instructors Role

The composition instructor will act as a guide that will see you through the rough spots of your training, help you to avoid making time-consuming mistakes, and teach you what you need to know to be successful. If you are in need of a guide to help you polish your music, or just to help you get started down the right track, consider taking music composition lessons.

The instructor is there to help you learn the material and to help you to avoid the traps along the way. Finding a music composition instructor that fits your personality is a unique process. Not all students will be right for our studio, and we encourage you to ask questions that will help you determine if you have found the instructor that is right for you.

Kevin Ure - Composer

Kevin Ure has been teaching for over 10 years and holds a Masters degree from The University of Arizona where he graduated with honors. He has written for a wide variety of ensembles and has traveled the world performing and composing music. Music has taken him from Los Angeles, California, to London, England and a tour in Japan.

The courses he teaches are the result of years of study with various professionals in the field, including Dr. Pamela Decker, Paul Chihara, Craig Walsh, Virko Baley, Daniel Asia, James Mobberly, Curtis-Curtis Smith, Dr. Richard Adams, and others.

In addition to his role as a composer and teacher, Kevin has also been highly active as an Euphoniumist. He was honored with the opportunity to perform at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton, a performance with the United States Navy Band, Wagnerian Tuba with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and various solo performances as well as duets with The Las Vegas Brass Band. He now lives in Tucson, AZ with his wife, mezzo-soprano, Erin Ure.

When looking for a private instructor it is important to know some things about their philosophy and how they teach.Finding a good match is extremely important and will help you to ensure that you will get what you want from lessons. There is nothing worse than taking lessons and finding that you can’t learn because of some barrier between you and your instructor.

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About the Music Composition Studio

The Composers Studio is an online forum in which students can enroll in courses, take lessons, ask questions, and receive feedback. It is based on a time tested open source platform. When a new post, or lesson is added students can simply log in to their studio, receive all materials for an assignment and communicate with the instructor. The studio enables students to take quizzes, complete activities to help reinforce concepts, and is available to students 24/7.

The studio has been created using the technologies available through Google. Students that are enrolled in lessons will receive a uremusic.com email address which can be used to access their start page. The start page allows students to quickly access their available websites, document manager, latest emails, and lesson calendar. It is just one of the many advantages to taking lessons online from uremusic.com.

http://www.uremusic.com

Why Take Music Composition Lessons?

The Cornerstones of Music Composition

For qualified students, we have a host of online music courses that are available on a quarterly basis. To take part in these courses students must be continually enrolled in at least 60 minutes of lessons per month and have the prerequisite skills required for the course. These courses teach the fundamentals of music composition: Music Theory, Counterpoint, Instrumentation, Orchestration, and Form and Analysis. The courses are only offered at specific times throughout the year. These are the cornerstones of music composition and are crucial to a solid understanding of music.

 

Instrumentation

Instrumentation teaches students about the different instruments that are available in an orchestra, their ranges, how they are played, their techniques, and how to write idiomatically for each instrument. This is something that is usually discussed before an in depth study of orchestration is attempted.

Orchestration

Orchestration is the study of instrumental combination within an ensemble for a desired effect, timbre, or mood. It is an art form that one can never completely master. There is an infinite continuum of colors and timbres to experiment with. It would take many lifetimes to exhaust all of the combination's available to composers through the art of orchestration.

Understanding how instruments combine to create a specific effect or sound is an important part of the compositional process. It is also important to comprehend the capabilities and limitations of each individual instrument. Without this knowledge one may create music that is either unplayable, or that doesn't duplicate the sound the composer intended.

Music Theory

One may think of music theory as the vertical aspect of music, while counterpoint acts as the horizontal aspect. It focuses on chords, progressions, scales, and modulations, and is a convenient way to absorb and understand the basis of a musical style. Music theory can be dangerous if one confines music to its rules alone, therefore discouraging an individual from understanding or appreciating unusual or non-traditional music.

Composers should learn music theory to avoid struggling with the same challenges that their predecessors have already mastered. It is not a requirement to use classical music theory in your composition, but you should be knowledgeable in all forms of music theory as it the vocabulary through which composers can communicare. It is impossible to function in the musical world without at least a basic understanding of music theory.

Students are given lessons in which they are taught a particular component of music theory. They are then given exercises where they practice and develop skills which are directly applicable to the craft of music composition.

Form and Analysis

Form is a term which has been used for centuries to describe the grand organization of a piece, as well as the smaller elements of a composition. These are typically divided into binary, ternary, and other "parts" that make up a composition. Music Theory, Counterpoint, Orchestration, and Instrumentation serve as the basis for a complete and thorough analysis of a composition. The purpose of analysis is to discover why a piece is effective, how to recreate a certain effect, and to develop an understanding for the inner structures of music.Students find that studying form and analysis helps them to create original music, as they have a greater understanding of pre-existing music.

Not all composers know how to analyze, or even read music. However, this is similar to a poet or novelist that cannot read. The ability to study other artists' works, and eventually your own, is invaluable in the process of maturing as an individual artist. Inspiration may be the fuel that ignites a composition, but it is the final editing and analysis that determine whether or not a piece is both fit to be performed and academically appreciated.Analyzing your own music is a vital skill that will help you to create a work of lasting beauty, as well as to appreciate pre-existing works on a much more profound level.

Learning how to apply forms to your own compositions will make it easier to retain and create an entire work using nothing but your imagination. Form is the substance that holds a piece together, separates ideas, and connects different sections of music.

Counterpoint

Counterpoint literally means "point against point" or "note against note." It is the horizontal aspect of music, which entails multiple independent melodic lines that, when combined, create harmony. These melodies have the potential to create a rich, full, and complex musical texture.

Most students find that they can easily complete their counterpoint assignments by devoting 15 - 20 minutes on these lessons each day. Counterpoint studies will help the subconscious processes of your mind instinctively learn how to create effective lines. It also encourages composers to develop the following essential skills:

• Improved sense and understanding of melody
• Learn to write effective basic harmony
• Learn how to make every part in a composition count by creating multiple independent melodic lines.

Composers should think of counterpoint as a tool that will enable them to better express their creative ideas.Just as a poet or novelist needs a firm understanding of his or her language's mechanisms, or as an artist would need to familiarize themselves with brush strokes and the use of color, a composer should intimately know the workings of counterpoint so that he or she may reach their full potential in the art of musical expression.

There are different types of counterpoint ranging from the highly academic to the practical. Our students receive training in both in order to ensure they are receiving a thorough education in the craft of music composition. Students start with 16th century counterpoint and eventually learn dissonant counterpoint, which has been used by many composers including: Charles Seeger, Ruth Crawford-Seeger, Carl Ruggles, Henry Cowell, Henry Brant, Dane Rudhyar, Lou Harrison, Fartein Valen, and Arnold Schoenberg.

Counterpoint is surprisingly simple, and only a basic knowledge of music theory is required. Above all, you should know the names of notes, be familiar with the concept of a scale, and able to identify written intervals.

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Lesson Pricing and Payments

The cost of taking music composition lessons is based on the national standard for private instructors. The main advantage with online lessons is that you pay only for the instructors time, and you save on the cost of renting a room, or paying for a physical studio location.

Students pay a set fee and are billed each month for the number of lessons they wish to sign up for.  It is the students responsibility to ensure that they pay for lessons by the 1st of the month to avoid late fees and additional charges.

Current Rate: $50.00 per lesson

The current rate for lessons is set at $50.00 per lesson.  Students can choose between 1 and 4 lessons per month.  There is a limit of 30 lessons per month, when that limit is reached all of the available slots for lessons in the next month will have been filled.  Admitted students will be guaranteed the option to take at least 1 lesson per month.

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The Application Fee

At this time we do not charge a fee for reviewing an application. It is against our policy to do so and we feel that it is part of the responsibility of any institution of learning to review all applications.

How do I Apply for Music Composition Lessons?

Applying for lessons requires the completion of a no obligation, completely free, and simple 1 page online application. When you complete the application you should have a sample of your work available to upload. This could be anything from an audio file, to a recent score. If you have never written music before then you do not need to submit a composition.

How Long Until I Am Notified of a Decision?

We usually notify students within 3 business days of a successfully submitted application. If you have not been notified within 3 business days, please contact us. Submitting a composition is not a requirement for admission to the studio. If we need further information other than what is on the application, we will contact you.

Who Should Apply for Lessons?

Anybody with a desire to learn, and improve their music should apply for music composition lessons. Whether you have yet to write a single note, or if you have already completed your 5th symphony. Composition Lessons give composers that valuable second opinion on their work, and act as a guide for students that need to brush up on their fundamentals.

We are looking for students that have both the ability and desire to commit to a composition program. The level and experience of our students is not as crucial as their determination to positively grow as composers. The Composer's Studio has students of varying abilities, backgrounds, and experiences. Even if you have never studied music, you are still encouraged to apply. The music composition lessons application is free and takes only a few minutes.

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Students may be asked to complete assignments in which they will have to follow prescribed forms; but they will never be asked to change their personal style of composition. When a student is enrolled in lessons they have the option to receive training in the fundamentals of music composition: Music Theory, Counterpoint, Instrumentation, Orchestration, and Form and Analysis. In addition, they will also receive feedback which is provided at the schedule agreed upon when purchasing lessons

All correspondence is done through a private online studio. This enables the student and instructor to work most efficiently and easily view past communications, assignments, and review goals. The combination of these functions, with the expertise and experience of a qualified instructor make online music composition lessons an ideal alternative to a University education and 'brick and mortar' traditional composition lessons.

Students can choose to enroll in as little as 1 lesson per month and as many as 4. Lessons are billed on a monthly basis and payment is due at the beginning of each month, regardless of whether or not the student completes their lessons. Lessons are a service based offering and as such you are paying to reserve time. When a student doesn't turn in a composition on their due date they forfeit that lesson unless advance notice and arrangements can be made.

Lesson Delivery

Lessons are delivered online through a secure document manager.  This enables students to keep an online record of their old lessons which will stay available to them for the remainder of the time they are enrolled in lessons.  Once a student discontinues lessons, documents will remain online for approximately 60 days.

Submitting Assignments

Students can submit assignments in a variety of ways.  The preferred method is through the use of a notation program such as Finale or Sibelius.  If you do not have a notation program, you could download the Free Finale Notepad. While Finale Notepad is limited, it will get you started with lessons and can be used for much of the coursework and beginning assignments.

The Monthly Seminar

Every month there will be a special lesson which will talk about a composer, a particular work of music, or a special technique in music composition.  This is a new feature which will be available as of September 2008.  Students that are enrolled in lessons for even one month will have access to these special seminars for as long as we offer them online.

Calendar

Students are able to see exactly when their lesson is due by checking the studio calendar.  This eliminates any confusion that might result otherwise, and enables the instructor to respond to submissions more quickly.  Students are asked to turn in their assignments the night before the due date in order to simplify the process.

UreMusic Email Account

Enrolled students will have access to a uremusic.com email address which can be used for personal, business, and lesson correspondence.  Students will need to access this email account regularly to ensure that they are receiving all of their lesson updates. This email account may be revoked at any time for improper use.

Document Manager

The online document manager currently has the capacity to hold 6 GB per student.  This manager may also be used for personal files.  When the quota has exceeded 6 GB prior lessons will be removed to make room for the new lessons.

Lesson Add/Change Form

We understand that sometimes you need to change the number of lessons you are taking on a month to month basis.  To make this easy, there is an online lesson add/change form.  This form will enable students to change the number of lessons for the following month, cancel, postpone, or reinstate lessons, and choose whether they want feedback, courses, or both during their lessons.

Choosing a Lesson Plan

Choosing a lesson preference is easy.  Simply use our online lesson add/change form.

Cancel, Reinstate, or Postpone Lessons

If you wish to cancel lessons for any reason, please use our online lesson add/change form. Complete this form 7 days to prevent being sent an invoice for the next month of lessons.  Completing this form when you cancel lessons makes it possible to let another student enroll.  Even if you have already received an invoice you can use this form to cancel your invoice at any time before it is paid.  Please use this form if you need to reinstate, cancel, or postpone your lessons!

Terms and Conditions of Lessons

Please be advised of the following terms if you decide to enroll in composition lessons. If you have trouble paying for lessons please contact via our online contact form to consider other options for payment.

Refunds

Once you have paid an invoice you are essentially reserving time with our instructor.  If you choose to not use that time we are still unable to issue a refund.  Please understand that you are reserving a space that another student could fill.  Because of this we must decline requests for refunds unless the request is the result of a mistake, double payment, or special circumstance.

Student Benefits

* Up to 3 Lessons Per Month.  Unused lessons are not transferable.
* Feedback in 2—3 Business Days
* Lessons provided in PDF format or another acceptable method of delivery.
* Customized Lessons to Fit the Student.
* Training in The Craft of Music Composition.
* No Hourly Time Limit for Instructor Completion of Feedback.  The instructor will work on the lesson until it is complete.

Payments:

* Payments are due by the 1st of the month.
* There will be a $5.00 per day late fee for payments received after the 3rd.
* Lesson eligibility will be revoked if payment is not made by the 15th of the month.

http://www.uremusic.com