<p>Just returned from Boston where D had audition at NEC. While the"kids" were busy, the parents were busy "commiserating." Typical topics included instructors, schools, tuition. Interestingly and curiously, on the topic of schools I was asked by several in the hospitality room whether my D would audition at Longy School as well. My honest response was that I was not familiar with the program. This was enough however to tweak my curiosity. The next AM I did a Longy "drive by" and came upon a fascinating old mansion in Cambridge. It gets worse... I couldn't resist the impulse and soon found myself bounding up multiple flights of beautifully preseved ancient dark wood stairs. I encountered practice rooms equipped with fireplaces and beautiful windows. Performing areas were small but inviting. I felt as though I had stepped into the past. (I must say, this was one time I'm glad my curiosity got the best of me)
And so the question... Can anyone comment on this small, fascinating (and obviously historical) school of music just off Harvard Square. </p>
<p>Interesting! I've never heard of it, but took a look at it online. I agree - the building looks charming! The website says it was founded in 1915 by an French oboeist from the Boston Symphony, after the French style of conservatory.</p>
<p>The faculty for horn appears to be some of the same as NEC (that's the only faculty I would recognize, so it's all I looked at). It's one of the few music schools I've seen to offer Suzuki training for children, too. Wikipedia says Harvard and Radcliffe music students often study there.</p>
<p>Some friends in Boston had kids in the Longy preparatory division and they loved the place. It have heard it mentioned along with Interlochen, The Colburn School in Los Angeles and the Juilliard pre-college program as among the best programs in the country for ages 12-18. I don't know much about their conservatory division except that the faculty list is amazing.</p>
<p>Fascinating. Truly remarkable facility. See link for a glimpse (I hope it works). Very definitely worth a visit if you're in the Cambridge area... drd</p>
<p>Be warned, at the undergrad level, Longy is a bit iffy. They don't have a broad enough program to offer a BM, so instead you get an "Undergraduate Diploma." A BM is possible through a combined program with Emerson.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input fiddlefrog. My D isn't actually looking to apply. I was simply taken by the remarkably preserved late 1800's architectural beauty (as I get older, I appreciate "older things" more and more). In our neck of the woods such old masterpeices were seldom preserved, succumbing instead to the wrecker's ball in the name of progress. regards... drd</p>
<p>If you ever get to Philadelphia and want to see another school in the same vein, check out Curtis Institute of Music. It is housed in a couple of mansions from about the same period, one Romanesque and the other in Beaux Arts style. The woodwork and ironwork in the lobby must be seen to be believed. They also put on some of the best free concerts you will find anywhere.</p>
<p>BassDad-
Our son attended a concert with the Curtis Institute Orchestra this past Tuesday in Philly, I think. It wasn't free ($5.00 student ticket) but worth a bunch more, he said.</p>
