<p>Hi, I'm new here. My senior was accepted to BU music school with a generous performance award. We really don't know that much about the school - in particular for strings. She auditioned there because we generally thought it had a good reputation and she was looking for a college environment as opposed to stand-alone; however, it was the one school she did not have a strong frame of reference for before auditioning. But, since she has received this award, the school is a serious contender. Is there anyone out there who could comment on the quality/strengths of the program? Fiddlefrog, I have tried to PM you but your box is full. Could you let me know if I can contact you? Thank you all! This is a wonderful resource!</p>
<p>A couple of BU threads you might have overlooked.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/317993-boston-university.html?highlight=Boston+University[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/317993-boston-university.html?highlight=Boston+University</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/565938-four-contenders-violin-major.html?highlight=boston+university[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/565938-four-contenders-violin-major.html?highlight=boston+university</a></p>
<p>fiddlefrog is a great source, and thumper1’s son did his undergrad (trumpet) at BU, and also a good source of general additional program information.</p>
<p>Hi lan412,
My son also got in to BU with a generous scholarship. BU did not make it easy for my son to like the school, it took three visits to actually be able to meet the teacher and some students in his instrument. I am an alum of the grad school and felt that it would be a good choice for him so I really pushed him to follow through with his application. His audition ended up being a great experience and he loved the teacher. At this point it is his first choice.</p>
<p>The campus is not beautiful, it is really a city school and it has a huge student body. But in my opinion Boston is the BEST city to live in (I definitely am biased about that). There are so many college students there and being in a city where there are so many musical opportunities is definitely a plus. My son agrees that being in a college environment would be great. I know of several students who love it there. It is not of the higher conservatory caliber but I think they have a very solid music program. Many of the teachers play in the BSO. </p>
<p>Do you know who her teacher would be? Bayla Keyes has a great reputation. Having a lesson with her teacher is really a must, she has to be sure that she will be happy studying with that person for 4 years. It sets the tone for her experience there.</p>
<p>Maybe our kids will be going to school together. Good luck in getting more info, sorry I couldn’t tell you more.</p>
<p>BU is one of the schools at the very top of the heap for double bass. Ed Barker is one of the best in the business and they have several other fine teachers as well. There is some crossover in faculty with NEC and, as has been said, many of their teachers are BSO players. I would imagine that the other strings are very well served there too, but will let others who have direct experience speak to that.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your thoughtful responses. I’m still hoping to hear from fiddlefrog at some point as well.</p>
<p>I did get your message, and will reply.</p>
<p>Is it possible to double major in music performance and a major in another school at BU?</p>
<p>I have also tried to PM fiddlefrog with questions about BU but the mailbox is full - you are a popular person! Fiddlefrog - If you are open to questions please reply how to contact you (empty your mailbox)? I am pretty new at this.</p>
<p>In case fiddlefrog doesn’t want to toot his/her horn too much, s/he was just accepted into Rice for an MM in violin performance. Given how tough that admit is, it stands to reason s/he beat out other violinists from extremely selective conservatories. This fact underlines the reality that BU is, like Temple in Philadelphia, a very wise choice for the right kind of student, as the raw materials exist at both schools (in terms of faculty and overall on/off-campus arts environment) to really go very far.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how Boston University does in terms of vocal performance and music education, just as a point of interest?</p>
<p>Yes it is possible to double major in another school at BU if you are a music performance major; However, most people I know find it quite difficult, given the GPA and credit requirements along with the primary stress of having to prioritize work for both degrees. (ie. Should I practice for my lesson, or study for my test tomorrow?) Then again, if one is very diligent, they might not have such a difficult time.</p>
<p>[Boston</a> University College of Fine Arts](<a href=“http://www.bu.edu/cfa/music/prospective/degrees/musb/bucop/]Boston”>http://www.bu.edu/cfa/music/prospective/degrees/musb/bucop/) </p>
<p>Personally, I am a Vocal Performance major and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences/Audiology (Sargent School of Health) minor and I find that difficult enough. There are about 5 classes in the health school I have to take, so I have to work them into my music schedule every semester. Another example is my friend who is on the same track: she had to forgo the top ensemble last semester to take a course in the health school because of a conflict.</p>
<p>Most likely summer classes will be required if one wants to finish their degree in four years. It’s also advantageous because you get to free your schedule of classes that might be particularly difficult at BU, and not so difficult at your local university/community college. (I have used this to my advantage for language courses, especially since we take diction anyway.) AP/Clep Exam credits help too.</p>
<p>By the way facilities are improving. A much needed plus! There’s actually a revolving glass door down there now, and it requires BU ID card access.</p>
<p>Hi theSUBLime: I was asking more in terms of quality of education in the music performance and Music ed dpeartments. My daughter was going to apply there, but it was added late to our list and was the first to fall off. Did we miss great things at BU?</p>
<p>Sorry I missed your questions KeyofH!</p>
<p>Personally, I find the quality of education for Vocal Performance in non-conservatory setting to be quite good. The faculty are what really make BU College of Fine Arts what it is. Teachers like Penelope Bitzas, Simon Estes and Maria Spacagna have made Boston University their home. While opportunities for performance are limited your freshman year, the sophomore year grants the opportunity to participate in opera scenes which help to foster acting and singing skills. The junior year allows one to study abroad in London at the Royal College of Music as well. Then again, BU is in Boston, making the possibilites are endless.</p>
<p>If you are looking for a large, diverse school that is strong in the arts and academics in a large city, Boston University is the school for you! All of those were things I was looking for! Though I could not possibly imagine do anything different now, I thought about what would happen if I ever decided to change my career track. I am also originally from Houston, hence the need for a large city.</p>
<p>If you want to know more private message me! I have to run to class.</p>