<p>Does anyone have any opinion about Boston Conservatory strings/violin program? My son was admitted, and we visited for the audition, but I still, as a parent, I crave more information about it. Is it costly because it's in Boston or is it costly because it's excellent? I know it is highly regarded in the musical theater and dance worlds. He has some other options that are less costly, one at a reputable music school with instructors he liked very much and another at a lesser-talked-about music school with an excellent teacher he loves. He is currently trying to arrange a lesson with an instructor at Boston. Would love to hear information from anyone familiar with Boston Conservatory.</p>
<p>Thanks so much,
A Proud but Slightly Confused Parent at this point</p>
<p>I can give you my opinion but it is just my opinion. I went to music school in Boston to another music school in mid 80’s (for flute) and so I knew about Boston Con. We went to look at it a couple of weeks ago with my cello playing son who is also interested in composition. But it felt very much like a theater school to me. Our tour guide who was a violinist was delightful but it was curious we never saw the practice rooms but instead saw a lot of dance and theatre areas.I have some reservations about the fact the orchestra performs on Harvard campus and does not have their own space, that the kids eat in Northeastern cafeteria and also general concerns about the back alley that is part of the campus and the general safety of the Fens area. I also mentioned to my other son’s violin teacher that we were looking there and he seemed surprised it was on our list. We also heard that a lot of the students go off to NYC each weekend for theatre auditions. Just my take on this. Our music school has a lot of kids go off to music school in violin and this is also not one that I recall anyone attending for violin. But again. Just my opinion. Good luck.</p>
<p>Most schools seem to require string students to play in an orchestra pit once or twice a school year. If this is something that might interest your son as a future career possibility, then the emphasis on theater and dance at Boston Conservatory might be a plus…</p>
<p>I cannot speak to the music program at Boco other then the performances at the main stage shows. Just recently Boco put on One Touch of Venus, a Kurt Weil production that had 33 pieces in the orchestra. All but 2 were Boco music students. Boco is also right next to The Berkley School of Music so it seems like there are thousands of music students in a few block radius.</p>
<p>I would like to point out a couple things that cellocompmom brought up. Number one, back alley or not, the school is in a very safe neighborhood. The kids go back and forth there all hours of the day and night. Of course it is a smarter to travel with someone, particularly late at night just like any place you go. BOCO is located in the Back Bay area and not Fenway. My daughter has never felt unsafe or uneasy there all the time she was there.</p>
<p>As far as eating in the Northeastern cafeteria goes, that is a plus. It puts you in an environment outside the conservatory setting. My daughter made SO many non MT friends the first year there. To me it was the best of both worlds. BTW…Boco also gets full use of Northeastern’s gym.</p>
<p>Hi there. I’m currently a flute player at BoCo and while not in the string department, my roommate is a cellist and several of my good friends are also string players so I’m certainly familiar. </p>
<p>The back alley to everyone excludin the Conservatory seems incredibly scary, but it’s in fact very safe. There are security cameras outside all of the dorms and also the backside of the Hemenway building. You probably saw a lot of theatre and dance buildings because of our new building which is primarily a theatre and dance building. However, musicians are welcome to practice in the dance studios and theatre rooms when they aren’t being used for classes. You don’t see a lot of practice rooms on the tour because there isn’t much to see. Two floors of our main building are dedicated to practice rooms and they’re pretty standard, small rooms with an upright piano, mirror, and a stand. </p>
<p>Just because we don’t have our own orchestra hall shouldn’t detract you from the program. These things are expensive! Which teacher are you trying to set up a lesson with? I have friends in several different violin studios, and as far as I can tell from what they’ve told me everyone seems very pleased with their choice. It’s true, BoCo isn’t a top-tier conservatory like NEC, MSM, Juilliard, Curtis, etc, but still has a very respectable faculty and if anything the dance and theatre provide really different and interesting performing opportunities. </p>
<p>Also, as far as living in any big city goes, we are in a very safe neighborhood. I’m a girl and I’ve never had an issues being by myself walking around. Hope this helps, and if you have any more questions feel free to send me a message!</p>