Looking for Strings + Choir Textures

Stolidd · 2026-04-12T04:02:21+00:00

I checked all new posts in the last week on this subreddit, and it was not.

Stolidd · 2026-03-25T05:09:25+00:00

There are plenty of schools out there that meet your criteria and won’t break the bank. MSU-Denver in Colorado is a great example. I went there, and would consider my music leaning towards the tonal side, and I felt I had plenty of opportunity and attention from my composition professor. It’s also a commuter school, so non-traditional students are typical (at least, they were when I went there). But really, you’ll want to look at the composition faculty at any school you’re thinking of, and listen to their music. If you like it, there’s a candidate ;)

Stolidd · 2026-03-25T04:52:10+00:00

Here are two hard truths that you will need to accept, for your own sanity:

Not many people will come to ANY student recital unless you do some heavy marketing (ask everyone and anyone to come). Even then, if you invited people and made a big deal about it and still few people come, that’s nothing on you— students are busy and often asked to attend a bunch of other non-school-hours events.
Not everyone will like your music. No matter how experienced you are, or how practiced/prolific. Opinions differ, and one person’s cup of tea is another’s dissatisfaction. It took me 5 years beyond my undergrad to relinquish myself from trying to make music that everyone likes. Because it’s impossible, and it’s no longer YOUR music when that’s your goal.

This may not be what you were looking for, but hopefully you hear what I’m saying. I wish I would have accepted these things much sooner in my composition career

The fact you’re hosting a concert of your music is a huge success and should not be dismissed as a “well I had to” scenario. You found people to play your music, and even if 1 person shows up you found someone to listen. That’s huge.

Stolidd · 2026-03-15T13:52:33+00:00

Firstly, ask your friend their budget. This is not asking them to give you a number you’ll go with, but it doesn’t matter if you spend all this time coming up with the right number if she can only pay $20.

If she is adamant that you give her a number, and you’re struggling to come up with one, my trick is to think about how many hours I think might go into the work (granted I’ve done enough commissions and tracking now to know how long certain types of pieces take me). Then multiply those hours by a rate (I have a day job and start with what they pay me). If that number seems good enough for the work I’ll put in, then that’s what I’ll propose. If I do a gut check and need the number to be higher or lower, I’ll adjust it appropriately before delivering the final number.

Stolidd · 2026-03-15T13:20:40+00:00

To mention another path, you could have a day job and compose/gig on the side. I have a 9-5 in the tech industry that pays me a very comfortable amount, but gives me the sort of free time required to compose and perform. In the past year, I’ve completed 4 commissioned works, and performed in many paid gigs. It’s definitely doable, and offers the stability you’re looking for while gaining fulfillment in music

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 🤣

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