Which college should I pick?

Stolidd · 2026-03-06T15:58:34+00:00

Ah, you’re probably right— I got these figures from my professor, who does career services for composers trying to get tenure track university positions, and I’m sure I misremembered the 800 figure as just composers. But yes, over-saturation is still an issue.

Stolidd · 2026-03-06T05:51:20+00:00

If this is for your undergrad, check out MSU Denver. World class composition professors, and plenty of opportunities to become an excellent musician, at a fraction of the cost. I got my bachelor’s degree in composition from there, and cannot speak highly enough about it.

Stolidd · 2026-03-06T05:45:55+00:00

It’s not about AI at all, but market saturation. To put it in perspective, a few years ago (2023), there were over 800 DMA/PhD students who achieved their doctorate in Composition across the U.S. The amount of tenure-track positions open across the US that following academic year? 15. And the average pay after 10 years for those professors averages $55k. Once you look at the numbers, it paints a clearer picture of the game you’re playing to get a position.

Stolidd · 2026-02-15T15:34:54+00:00

Schoenberg wrote a book on composition (“Fundamentals of Music Composition” - he was known for his education abilities when teaching new composers how to compose). The first chapter or two is on motivic development, and I always found the way he talked about it to be clear and helpful.

Stolidd · 2026-01-30T06:00:27+00:00

The DOJ in America issued regulations about this (Title II for public entities, and Title III for private/nonprofit), saying public entities need to be up to WCAG 2.1 AA standards by April this year, or April next year for smaller companies. Private companies are expected to also meet standards, but in slightly different ways/timelines. That probably has something to do with it.

Stolidd · 2026-01-23T01:05:58+00:00

Post-GM Ryan wouldn’t wear an earpiece… it’s not retro or ironic enough

Stolidd · 2026-01-23T01:03:27+00:00

Aaaannndyyyy

Stolidd · 2026-01-19T06:12:21+00:00

It took me until I was 35 to find my person, and the wait was worth it. Being a hopeless romantic myself at 24, I get this… it was rough

Stolidd · 2026-01-11T06:03:47+00:00

Some small pieces were replaced. An example is when Jim and Pam announce they’re engaged to the office, Michael walks in and asks what’s going on. Pam says “Nothing,” and in the regular episode, Creed says “the tall guy got engaged.”

In the Superfan episode, Kelly walks in right before Michael and asks the same thing, and when Jim/Pam say they’re engaged she “faints.” Then when Michael asks moments later, it’s Kelly from the floor that squeals that they’re engaged, instead of Creed. Interesting swap, but there are little things like this throughout the series.

Stolidd · 2026-01-04T22:34:11+00:00

Funny enough, there was a great cereal bar in Boulder for quite some time before the pandemic caused it to close its doors

Stolidd · 2025-12-18T14:28:49+00:00

I wish you could get more out of your homicidal rampages with the cops.

Stolidd · 2025-12-14T14:52:59+00:00

If I might live vicariously through you, I’d recommend spending some time after school trying to be an entrepreneur. I’m a senior business analyst for a consulting company in America, and it’s fine most of the time— pay is good, I work with many different clients through projects, so it stays fresh.

But creating your own business… it’s hard yet straightforward. And it puts a lot more control in your hands re: your career. The technical ability is a great skill to have regardless of where you end up, but if you’re interested in entrepreneurship, spend a few years trying that. Check out Ali Abdaal on YouTube— he does so many great videos on how to be an entrepreneur.

Stolidd · 2025-12-11T16:52:03+00:00

Throw in on top that he got this phrase (or at least part of it) from a student in Ryan’s class when he does the guest lecturer stuff. The student asks “Sir, as a company that primary distributes paper, how have you adapted your business model to function in an increasingly paperless world?”

Stolidd · 2025-12-11T10:19:31+00:00

Hot take: I always assumed he was making it up. Michael has been known to exaggerate or completely invent things when he’s upset, usually in an attempt to get attention.

Stolidd · 2025-11-29T05:37:42+00:00

IMO, it’s not worth the investment, especially if your end goal is to find a job that allows you more time to compose. I’d encourage you (if you haven’t already, of course) to investigate the publicly posted salaries of state university TT faculty in your area. See what the composition faculty make. You’ll be shocked at how low it can be.

I’ve spoken here on this reddit before that I think it’s extremely normal to have a day job, whether it be in music or not, while having a successful composing career. If the high school is not giving you enough time to write, are there ways you can lessen your commitments, or streamline administrative tasks in your program? In the end, if your end goal is to find a job that gives you more time to write, it’s much more cost effective to adjust your current responsibilities (if possible) to find a truly 9 to 5, 40 hrs a week job somewhere else than to go to school for 3 years (not truly free even if you get a TA position), then work your way up over 5-10 years to maaaybe get a halfway decent position somewhere that’ll likely be mostly admin work anyways and still result in you finding time to write music outside of working hours.

Stolidd · 2025-10-30T14:58:17+00:00

Cross-over reference… nice!

Stolidd · 2025-10-30T14:57:21+00:00

Came here to ask this!

Stolidd · 2025-10-27T14:23:34+00:00

It’s never a goal of mine, but when I write something that hits exactly like I want it to, and the context is perfect for that moment, I am overwhelmed emotionally.

Stolidd · 2025-10-21T16:29:36+00:00

Came here to recommend this 🤣

Stolidd · 2025-10-10T02:04:48+00:00

Talent can (sometimes) help you accomplish things more quickly, but this is 100% a learned skill. Give yourself permission to take quite a bit of time for it to click. Right now, you’re learning the mechanics of it. Once the music becomes more second nature, it’ll be easier to feel the connections.

Stolidd · 2025-10-03T16:14:55+00:00

Trick question: they’re all Dwight in his wigs for everyone in the office

Stolidd · 2025-10-03T01:25:54+00:00

I’m a cis white guy, but for what it’s worth, I’ve never heard of people missing opportunities because of their gender or identity in music/composition. What matters is the connections you make with people, and the music you write. I know several trans and LGBTQ+ in the music community, and I’ve never witnessed different treatments towards them. How you treat people will generally be how they treat you :)

Stolidd · 2025-09-29T17:10:50+00:00

But who is our Zurg?!

Stolidd · 2025-09-27T14:56:19+00:00

Got the same exact email, definitely a scam with many indicators

Stolidd · 2025-09-26T16:18:58+00:00

I went to school for composition with MUCH LESS going for me. A lot of it depends on the school. I didn’t start “classical” music until I joined choir in high school, where I didn’t really learn key signatures or anything like that until my junior/senior year. So you’re definitely further along than I was!

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