My daughter is deciding between the Commercial Music Program at Belmont and the Sound Recording Technology Program at Ithaca College. Her instrument is Voice. She can do Recording Tech at either school. Belmont has more contemporary ensemble options, which appeals to her but she is afraid that Belmont might be too conservative, being a Christian College. Nashville is a huge plus. Ithaca gave her a lot more aid, but because Belmont’s tuition is less expensive Ithaca is only a bit less expensive than Belmont overall, but the merit aid makes her feel like Ithaca is more interested in her than Belmont. While Ithaca acceptance rate is pretty high, the Sound Recording program is small and fairly selective. They both have solid internship programs. She is a singer songwriter but is realistic about this being her primary job after graduation. She wants to become a better musician (piano and guitar) and have some employable skills that will allow her to get a job in the music business somewhere. Any insights from this group? She visited both school and was impressed with both.
Belmont sits at one end of Music Row – just across Wedgewood/Blakemore from it, and more or less forming its southern border. There is music literally all over Nashville, and in addition to the walkable Music Row she’ll be maybe a five-minute drive (hitting lights…) from Lower Broad(way) and all the music found there.
So while I don’t know the ins-and-outs of the music curriculum at Belmont, there cannot possibly be a better place for a kid who loves music, especially if he or she doesn’t hate Country. hehe
My son is thinking seriously about Ithaca for music. I was just reading an article from the Ithacan saying that the music department has a 90% retention rate… so kids are happy! I wouldn’t allow him to apply to Belmont due to the extremely conservative nature of the school, it just doesn’t align with my ideals and I can’t imagine giving them a dime of our money,
Agreed… but she can move to Nashville for a job. Belmont is not the only path leading to Nashville. I want her to choose the school not the location.
We also have concerns about whether she’ll fit in at Belmont. Nice to know that kids seem happy at Ithaca.
True, but it’s incredibly convenient, and there is a lot of talent right there – both established and soon-to-be stars, and all of the professionals (production, scouting, management) surrounding them.
I’m assuming the fact that she was impressed meant that she felt comfortable at both and thinks she could be happy spending four years at either? If you think that both visits were of sufficient length and depth to give her a good sense of what going to school there might be like, then I think she’s going to do well at either.
I am not a music specialist. But I agree with @prezbucky’s point about the location of Belmont. Being not just in Nashville but on Music Row is a HUGE plus for someone who would like to be a singer songwriter. There are people who who want to do work with public policy and will do well no matter where they get their degree from. But those who go to college in Washington, D.C. or state capitals have an edge because they have the whole year to be building professional connections and experiences, not just three months in the summer. I would assume the same is true for people who want to be professional musicians.
Out of curiosity (as I truly do not know the answer to this question), how does the culture at Belmont’s music school compare to the rest of the Belmont campus? I know at other university’s that programs in the arts tend to be more liberal, but I don’t know if that is the case here.
I haven’t been a student (MBA) at Belmont in almost 20 years, but back then the kids I bumped into seemed pretty nice and balanced. There seemed to be a decent mix of preppy, artsy, sporty, and nerdy students.
My son is a current junior but Belmont and Ithaca are both high on his list (same programs, guitar and voice). Would you kindly let me know which your daughter selected and how she’s liking her choice? Just looking for a data point but also hoping she found a great fit.