<p>Hi, folks! It has been a while since I posted. Thought I would fill everyone in on a contemporary vocal major's journey.</p>
<p>Background: My daughter has been in a band for four years. She sings and plays bass. She was lucky enough to attend some of the Berklee Summer Programs over the past few years, and, while there, fell in love with the school. Long story, but it ended up being the only school where she actually applied, and she only visited one other school, Belmont. (I tried to have her visit more schools! She actually liked the music business school at Belmont more than the music school.) </p>
<p>She applied early admission and she got in last January. I immediately sent my deposit in and then immediately sent in a dorm room application in order to secure a spot. (Berklee actually has two dorms, and I've seen some plans for a third on the net, but I don't know when it will be built.) </p>
<p>Why Berklee? She loves seeing everyone walking around with an instrument. (She saw two guitars on campus at Belmont while she was there -- not in the music building, but on the campus.) She loves the diversity OF THE MUSICIANS. She loves the fact that Boston is a college town. She got to be in some classes with Livingston Taylor, for example, and she just fell in love with him and her other instructors. She loves the MUSIC facilities -- they are incredible. (Believe me, there are no climbing walls at Berklee like there are at Belmont, there isn't even a gym at Berklee! You use the local gym facilities.) </p>
<p>In short, she wanted a conservatory versus the college campus feel of Belmont and she wanted it in contemporary music. (Now, I, on the other hand..... but I'm not going.) </p>
<p>How will this work out? I'll let you know as soon as I know! (First report sometime next year.) Her guitarist is also going there so her band will likely continue.</p>
<p>Anyhow, while there are a ton of other factors, I can't stress enough how important it is to visit the schools while classes are in session. </p>
<p>RockBandMom</p>