Dear forum composers and musicians in general, in all humility, I would like to understand what a composition diploma is for. Is it only used to be qualified for teaching? I mean, I am self-taught; officially, would I not be a composer? And furthermore, is being a composer a "legally" recognized job? Does the same apply to instrumentalists? To play in an orchestra (or perhaps conduct it), is a diploma required?
I am asking because I am unable to study at a conservatory; in short: do I have any chance or am I automatically cut off?
The diploma, understood not as a title but as a course, serves primarily to acquire skills through study.
However, it seems to me that your questions concern the title above all. For starters, a diploma does not qualify you for teaching. There are cases (rare) of composers who teach in a Conservatory without being graduated: this is because in the rankings for teaching in a Conservatory, the diploma is an accessory qualification (it gives points but is not indispensable), so if your music is played all over the world by the most important musicians, you can also afford to teach without a diploma. This is a rather remote possibility. Furthermore, given how things have been going lately, it is not certain that the rules for the Conservatory won't change as well.
What do you mean by "legally"? Do you mean that if you have a commission, you pay contributions on the fee? In that case, you can perfectly well be self-taught. No commission will ask you for a diploma.
Finally, "cut off" from what? If you explain what you want to compose, and how you plan to set up your career as a composer, perhaps we can be more helpful to you.
Thank you for your answer. So, let's take it step by step:
By "legally" I also meant the issue of social security contributions... From what I understand, could I be registered with ENPALS even without possessing a diploma that certifies a state-recognized course of study?
I mainly compose works for orchestra or for solo instrument or for instrument and voice/s; so far I have been performed only once...
Finally, I meant "cut out" from the loop; I wouldn't want it to be that ONLY composers or musicians in general with diplomas move forward.
But even for instrumentalists and conductors, is a diploma just one of the alternatives? Don't you need one to conduct or to play in an orchestra? (I am thinking, for example, of auditions)
Don't worry about the ENPALS [social security for entertainers]; for a diploma, you don't really need it!
As far as instrumentalists and conductors are concerned, I am not the most expert, but anyway yes, I think that to play in an orchestra, if you are exceptional, they don't ask you for a diploma. Of course, it is rather rare (to use an understatement) for a professional musician not to have a diploma...
Regarding the "scene" [the inner circle], one would need to understand clearly what is being talked about, because there are many different "scenes": "contemporary music", "film music", "popular choral music", "sacred music", "musical theater"... and each is a bit different. In no case, however, does anyone ask you for a diploma as an absolutely necessary condition for writing.
Of course, it must also be said that a course of study (and so here I return to talking about the diploma not as a title but as a course) is also a good opportunity to start making the necessary contacts to enter the "scene" that interests you. In short, it is useful. But if you have contacts through other means, the diploma is not indispensable even for this aspect.
E
Elfo
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Reply 5 by Elfo
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The more I reread this old post of mine, the more I think it might (between the lines) also answer you
An interesting discussion had opened up here regarding the necessity or otherwise of having a diploma, and specifically in the case of auditions... but the same applies to composition competitions. Often, a diploma is strictly required.
Let's say that a diploma is indispensable if one hopes to enter teaching in public institutions.... for the rest, it is merely the certification of a training path, more or less valid.
Thank you for your answers, I read the threads you posted with great interest...To answer your questions: Gennarino, I essentially want to be (and perhaps I already am) a composer. Another dream in my drawer is to become an orchestra conductor (and indeed I asked about it in my question), but while for composing I was able to study almost on my own (even though I also spent 2 years in a conservatory), for conducting I think the only way is the conservatory. Anyway, speaking of composition, beyond the label (as far as status goes, I am unemployed), and after reading the other threads, I "feel" like a composer because I compose music. When I was performed, it was only through connections, certainly not because of my conservatory studies path (of which I have no proof, apart from the solfeggio license obtained as a private student, back when that was still possible). Of course, being almost completely self-taught, my study path has been (in fact, is) quite disorganized, irregular. But regardless, I do things and the internet helps me, as well as forums like this one
As for Valchiria's response, I have entered some composition competitions, both in Italy and abroad, and no one ever asked me for a diploma to participate. In a certain sense, I consider myself lucky, because if I had wanted to be an instrumentalist, I would have been truly shut out (although I don't understand why someone without a diploma cannot participate in an audition, since it would be obvious if someone plays badly... Mah!)
