<p>While "only" a freshman, my son is already thinking ahead towards Grad school (he'd ultimately like to teach Comp as well as compose). He'd really like to do some of his studies abroad, but isn't certain he'll be able to swing a semester abroad as an undergrad, so doing grad work outside of the US is something he's considering. </p>
<p>I know nothing about programs elsewhere, so wonder if anyone has thoughts, input, etc. Really just a fact-finding thread for me. Thanks!</p>
<p>WindCloudUltra is getting his masters in composition in London right now. I’m sure you could PM him. Also, Fulbright scholarships are available for the arts. Does your son like the current European academic musical aesthetic or does he just like the idea of traveling?</p>
<p>Interesting question. I will answer as best I can, bearing in mind how much and quickly kids change when they’re exposed to a college environment! </p>
<p>First and foremost, A is interested in expanding his musical knowledge. Travel for travel’s sake doesn’t hold much of an appeal. His primary focus, in terms of comp, is atonality. Closely tied with that is how to blend Western classical music with other styles - Near and Far Eastern, African, South American, Native American - to create a new and unique form of classical music. </p>
<p>Does that help?</p>
<p>Maybe he would be better off getting a Fulbright to travel in other parts of the world - Africa or Indonesia, for instance, to study the music there. Also, Northwestern/Bienen offers an interesting music study abroad semester in Western Africa - perhaps students from other colleges can participate.</p>
<p>As for grad school abroad - I think, just like here, he needs to choose it based on its faculty. If there are European composers who he admires who are affiliated with an institution - then that’s where he should be looking. (He might want to start learning whatever language they teach in, as well!) German, Dutch, French…</p>
<p>Also, I would recommend that he look into the summer festivals abroad for future years - it would give him an advance taste - as long as the faculty weren’t all Americans.</p>
<p>I know he’s scheduled himself to start German next term. He’s one of those kids who absorbs new stuff pretty quickly, plus German is one of the languages my Mom is fluent in (I guess we have WWII to thank for something! LOL). I was also thinking that traveling to other parts of the world might be an interesting thing for him to do - wonder if he could wrangle some sort of independent study thing with the Honors program at Temple for a semester or summer. </p>
<p>Good thinking on summer festivals. $$$ is going to be a huge factor (when is it not), but I’m sure we can sort something out. I think. I hope.</p>