If it were my choice, Fredonia would be THE school. And I hope I didn’t imply it was a lower caliber choice or easy school to get into. I think my daughter’s friend perceived it that way and realized he was very mistaken when he didn’t get in.The acceptance rate is about 50% but for audition programs they are very selective. I’m glad they have a new Jazz Studies program but my daughter is adamant about not wanting to major in Jazz (sadly because she is very strong in this area!) She really wants something with contemporary/popular music and songwriting components. So, in her mind, they didn’t have the right program for her (she did love the vibe and would fit in well to that scene I know!) We spoke with the vocal director (Julie Newell) at Fredonia and she sat for almost an hour with us, asking many questions and explaining their program. She was very open to adapting the program to meet my daughter’s needs, even saying instead of a jazz piece project for Senior year, she could do a popular music piece she has written. It’s not fully off the table (I’m working on it) and would be perfect in my eyes since it is only an hour away!
If it were my choice, Fredonia would be THE school. And I hope I didn’t imply it was a lower caliber choice or easy school to get into. I think my daughter’s friend perceived it that way and realized he was very mistaken when he didn’t get in.The acceptance rate is about 50% but for audition programs they are very selective. I’m glad they have a new Jazz Studies program but my daughter is adamant about not wanting to major in Jazz (sadly because she is very strong in this area!) She really wants something with contemporary/popular music and songwriting components. So, in her mind, they didn’t have the right program for her (she did love the vibe and would fit in well to that scene I know!) We spoke with the vocal director (Julie Newell) at Fredonia and she sat for almost an hour with us, asking many questions and explaining their program. She was very open to adapting the program to meet my daughter’s needs, even saying instead of a jazz piece project for Senior year, she could do a popular music piece she has written. It’s not fully off the table (I’m working on it) and would be perfect in my eyes since it is only an hour away!
Sorry for the double post. I’m not able to get in to edit or delete so if anyone can help, let me know : )
@AmyIzzy -
The music composition program at Fredonia is supposed to be excellent. One of S17’s suitemates for this upcoming year is a major. S17’s roommate started as a double music ed - composition major but dropped comp because it was just too hard for him.
One hour away - wow! We are a minimum of 8 and had a too close encounter with a deer when we went home from out last visit.
I wasn’t aware of the composition program. Thanks for the info @techmom99
We know some pretty amazing musicians who graduated from Fredonia or go there now so she knows it’s a great music school. I just have to convince her the programs could encompass what she wants. When we did the tour, she must have seen at least 5 people she knew and those she didn’t know were so cool and friendly, even complimenting her sneakers as she walked by. She did love the vibe, that’s for sure. It’s still on her list to at least apply so that’s promising! Yes, watch out for the deer! Lol.
@AmyIzzy -
http://home.fredonia.edu/music/music-composition
This is the link to the music composition page on the Fredonia website. I am not musical nor is S17 (I actually think he is the only student at Fred who doesn’t sing or play a musical instrument) so I can’t tell you more about the program. I will say that my son called me the first day of classes and said that he had never met so many friendly people and that this school was so not like HS.