<p>My student is not a bassoon player, but when I mentioned this site a friend asked if I would ask a question. I told them everyone is really nice and she should joint the discussion! But also that I'd be glad to ask. Her daughter wishes to study Bassoon performance and lives in NY state. I take it from all she said that she is an excellent music student, I don't know about extremely competitive conservatory type, though. We live in NY state and the mother's major concern is cost. Besides the normal SUNY schools usually mentioned (but feel free to bring up info on those!) are there other schools in the surrounding New England states, perhaps Pennsylvania that are around the $30,000 or less total cost range with chances for a good music scholarship or other merit aid? Maybe some little gem that's reasonable and a good school for double reeds that gives you a chance for success after school? Come to think of it, if such a school exists for Oboe I'd be interested to, and my daughter would consider the entire east coast and maybe Ohio as well. Thanks! (This mom is also concerned and has been told if music students don't attend one of the few major conservatories, music student's shouldn't bother!) </p>
<p>Bard College Conservatory offers up to two full ride bassoon scholarships. In New York. But very competitive. Nothing in particular for oboe, but they can be very generous, if the student has need and high ability. <a href=“http://www.bard.edu/conservatory/undergraduate/merit/”>http://www.bard.edu/conservatory/undergraduate/merit/</a></p>
<p>Have a look at Susquehanna in PA. I don’t know their bassoon program specifically, but they have a nice college of music and terrific merit aid. Hartt in CT might also be worth a look - many students get some sort of scholarship there, sometimes up to a full ride.</p>
<p>If she wants to perform in an orchestra, she should try to get into the best school possible. Many of the top conservatories give out at least one or two full rides for bassoon. She should apply to a range and see what she gets.</p>
<p>The Bard College scholarship sounds like an amazing opportunity! Orchestral wind players need to develop their orchestra repertoire as well as solo repertoire. They should be looking at the teacher but also the orchestral experience available to them. That may be within the school, or it may include the surrounding area. </p>
<p>I second the Hartt suggestion - the bassoon professor is excellent and a really nice person. Bard is great and Susquehanna felt like a friendly conservatory but I don’t know the professors there.
If her academics are in range and she does not want a conservatory, Vassar, Williams, Wesleyan and Hamilton have strong music programs. We are especially familiar with Vassar and know people who turned down conservatories to attend Vassar. Many of the LACs have generous need based aid so don’t rule them out.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! The player in question has higher grades and scores then my daughter, but I think my daughter is more advanced on her instrument, although they’re pretty close in each category. Not that they will be competing on instrument as one is bassoon and one oboe. The bassoon player hadn’t thought of places like Vassar, Williams, Wesleyan or some of the others. She’s going to definitely look at Bard and Hamilton, two schools she thought would be way out of reach due to cost. Both my daughter and her friend are ramping up their practice and private lesson schedule, excited by their prospects! My daughter will be a junior next year while her friend will be a Senior. We will be watching her friend closely trying to learn and help if we can. </p>
<p>For a great student (top 10 in HS class) Bard College offers this:</p>
<p>Excellence and Equal Cost (EEC) Scholarship</p>
<p>A public high school senior whose cumulative grade point average is among the top 10 in his or her graduating class is eligible to be considered for a four-year EEC Scholarship. The EEC program is designed to assist students who would not otherwise be able to attend a private college or university because of its cost. The first-year students who are selected annually to receive EEC Scholarships attend Bard for what it would cost them to attend an appropriate four-year public college or university in their home state.</p>
<p>If the student has the grades, this can be a potential financial safety assuming in-state costs are reasonable. This scholarship is for the College so a Conservatory admit is not required.</p>
<p>The really frustrating this about applying to any college is that you do not know what the price is for you until after you’ve applied and been accepted. Many people do not end up paying the “sticker price.” So a college that is out of reach financially may actually be a good deal if one gets good financial aid. We told our son to apply everywhere he was interested regardless of price, but not to get too attached to the expensive schools, because he would not be able to attend them unless he got substantial aid. He is now a student at Hartt which turned out to be roughly the same cost as our state school after the merit aid was awarded. </p>