Compositions lessons began, each weekday, promptly at eight. They were held in a large auditorium classroom whose seats significantly outnumbered the six composition students attending. Our instructor was classical composer, Peter Scott Lewis.
After compositions lesson, each of the six composition students were required to meet with Mr. Lewis individually for critique of their composition. This was the composition, mine being the piano duo, Mr. Lewis had assigned, to be half completed, prior to arriving at camp.
There was an immediate tension between Mr. Lewis and myself on our first individual meeting. After hearing my piece he explained that my writing style was obsolete and that I should take a more modern Neoclassical approach when composing. I then explained that composing music, for me, was a form of self expression. He agreed then adding that many students, who began studies with him, are now utilizing the more modern approach to classical composition.
Discouraged by his imposed revision, I returned to my room feeling alone, out of place, and thousands of miles away from everything familiar to me.
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