Berklee vs. Columbia College Chicago for Vocal Performance

<p>So, my DD has been accepted to Berklee and CCC. She auditioned for Berklee last year and was not accepted and at the time it was her first choice school. She has been accepted for this fall, but it is no longer her first choice school. We are visiting CCC next week to see how she likes it. If she likes the school and Chicago, then she will probably choose to go to CCC. The main reason that she is more interested in CCC is that they have the whole gamut of visual and performing arts classes that she can take outside of music and she likes having that option within one school. We know that Berklee is part of the ProArts organization that allows you to take classes at some of the other local colleges. Does anyone on here have a kid at Berklee that has taken classes at the other schools, like art classes? Is that pretty easy to do and do they have a good selection of classes to offer to Berklee students?</p>

<p>My other question is regarding the reputations of the schools. I feel that Berklee is a more widely known entity and is highly regarded and that being a graduate from there may carry more weight than being a grad from CCC's music program. I feel that she would have better connections if she were a Berklee grad. This will be her decision, but I can't help thinking that she will be passing up some really great opportunities if she doesn't choose Berklee. I just don't know enough about CCC to feel confident about their program. Any insight into both of the schools is greatly appreciated. What would the top reasons be to choose Berklee over CCC and vice-versa (aside from the cost of tuition? Also, I don't exactly know where she got this idea, but she seems to believe that Berklee isn't very helpful with finding employment, etc when the time comes.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading!</p>

<p>Is your daughter is Contemporary Voice or Jazz Voice? They are completely different “animals” from Vocal Performance where continuing on to graduate school is required these days so you’re correct in thinking that “connections” are very important She should talk to the “career counseling” offices at each school to find out where recent graduates are working and specifically inquire as to what services are provided to students in their final year.
Compare the total cost of attendance, including off-campus housing, transportation (both trips home and around the city, so find out if the school supplies transit passes) utilities, food along with the financial aid. Also ask if the programs have performance opportunities outside of the actual school- I can think of one school who takes its Jazz Vocalists to perform in a club in the city which gives them terrific exposure! It’s very late at this point but she could ask to speak to a current student in each program too.
The cites of Boston and Chicago are quite different and schools offer different “perks” to students so ask about those too. My D adores Chicago and never misses a performance at the Chicago Lyric Opera- can’t beat getting a $200 seat for $20, or using her transit pass to get to the Lincoln Park Zoo (free admission, but $35 if you park your car there!).<br>
You might look on CC’s Musical Theater thread for more information about CCC also. I know that there are parents there who have recently visited the school. Good luck!</p>

hello. this is an old post so i don’t know if you’ll see this. My daughter is getting reading for her Berklee audition as a singer and is terrified. He prepared song is great but she has no theory training to speak of . Do you think this will disqualify her? I was interested in your post as you said your daughter didn’t get accepted the first time around, what do you think made the difference the second time? Thanks so much for any insight!