<p>This is a tough one. D- accepted to the best in-state University Conservatory for Vocal Performance (rejected from the other 3 she applied to). Also accepted to a Top University that we love. She spent the day at this Top University and thoroughly enjoyed all of the classes but was disappointed with the Choral class. She felt that her top high school chorale was better. </p>
<p>If she chooses the Conservatory, I am told that it is so intensified that it will be difficult to really double major. If she chooses the Top U then she may be disappoint with the music opportunities. There is a conservatory in the nearby city that I was thinking she could take voice lessons if the lessons at the college are not up to her standards. </p>
<p>There are other college choices for her that we are still looking at.</p>
<p>I don't think she is sure where she is going with the music at this point. She is saying at this time that she is not interested in teaching, which would give her the option for a career that includes a paycheck! Other interests are communications/writing/TV/media</p>
<p>She can start at the Top U, see how it goes, and if she is completely unsatisfied with the music opportunities even w/ private lessons on the side, she can also re-apply to a conservatory for the following year. My daughter was in a similar boat in 2009, although she is more jazz/contemporary … she ended up going to Boston U, started out in pre-med and pursued music via a cappella singing and other side gigs and loved it, but it wasn’t enough. Now she’s at Berklee and knows she is supposed to follow her music passion more intensely. </p>
<p>Moral of the story: Your first college isn’t necessarily your last. It all works out in the end.</p>
<p>^Agreed - it really is a “work or path in progress” when it comes to highly talented and multi-dimensional kids!</p>
<p>I guess the real question is whether she is planning on a performance career or not, and whether or not she’s willing to narrow (and intensify) her focus in order to do so. Rightly or wrongly, I personally feel there are more career opportunities for artists who are well trained in communications/writing/TV/media - those are very transferable skills. That said, intense conservatory music training has a different dimension of “transferable skill.” So it really comes down to her level of commitment to a singular path – OR a commitment NOT to narrow that path until she’s explored it more (via an undergrad degree!)</p>
<p>In the case of my son, he knew he did not want to pursue an intense performance path on a singular instrument, but also knew he really wanted 4 years of core music study with peers of his caliber in his life – plus writing, film, communications and design. His “compromise” position (that actually turned into his first choice) was to study Performing Arts Technology at the University of Michigan’s School of Music (BFA and intense but also included “intermedia” classes such as film scoring, animation, design in addition to electronic composition, music technology, recording, production etc.) plus a dual degree in Film.</p>
<p>After two years and a world of development as an artist, he’s now thinking that instead of finishing the second degree (he already gets to take the Film production courses as a PAT major, plus still makes films on the side for his portfolio) he might like to pursue an MFA (terminal degree) in film or electronic composing. The MFA has vocational value as an instrument of teaching as well, to his mind (we’ll see how all that goes 
)</p>
<p>While vocal performance is a different kettle of fish that music technology, I think your option of continuing high-caliber lessons (as a supplement to the other U) would help keep a Masters vocal program in reach if your daughter decided to focus on the communications emphasis for undergrad degree. Or vice versa. </p>
<p>I’m sure you didn’t set out with the intent of getting advice such as “just pay for 7 years of school instead of 4” but the reality is that today’s kids aren’t really ever going to be finished educating themselves and most pay their own way to grad school ;)</p>
<p>Agree w/ you kmcmom … my vocalist/pianist daughter recently informed us that she is not going to be 100% performance, but will major in contemporary writing and production so she can gain technical/practical knowledge to go w/ her theory and ear training. I think the fact that she had strep in February also helped her realize that sometimes you need a backup if your main instrument goes ka-put, even if only temporarily.</p>
<p>There are more opportunities for work/career for music majors, whether BA or BM, than people seem to think. Check out various internships available at booking agencies, clubs, record companies, orchestra offices, festivals and so on. It might be reassuring.</p>
<p>Thanks to both of you for your words of wisdom. I’ll keep you posted when final decision time comes shortly. And yes, it is possible that she won’t stay at her first college- I transfered from a college after 2 years to art school! It is such an exciting time, spending this 4 years exploring interests and passions. (maybe more then 4 years…)</p>