<p>Hi everyone,
My mere 15 yr. old son is a contemporary/classical guitarist thinking about a music degree. He is not a jazz player so he would probably go the classical route in school. I'd prefer to keep him close (Midwest) for college. Aside from DePaul, which I've heard is overrated, what colleges would be good for classical guitar? What should he be doing now to increase his chances? Academically he is not so strong.</p>
<p>You may want to post this on the Music Major forum. [Music</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/]Music”>Music Major - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>Taking MichealNKat’s suggestion one step further, I’ve requested the moderators move your thread there.</p>
<p>Here’s the jumping off point. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html</a> There are numerous links within including a number that will direct you to some of the “How/where do I start threads”.</p>
<p>Take a look through the pinned or sticky threads at forum top as well.</p>
<p>At fifteen, a lot can change, but if you see a sense of purpose and dedication, or can identify your son as a music 24/7 kid, the most important aspect is engaging an excellent private teacher, and making yourself aware of the higher level opportunities and options in your area.</p>
<p>Down the road, objective professional level assessment of both talent and potential are key in identifying competitiveness within applicant pools for audition centric admissions.</p>
<p>Oberlin, College Conservatory of Music (Cincinnati), Cleveland Institute of Music, Carnegie Mellon, Curtis Institute of Music, Depaul University etc</p>
<p>At 15 you have SO much time to get hard work in and pull your grades up a lot. I did ok my freshman year, BOMBED my sophomore then I realized I was inhibiting my ability to get a good education so I got straight A’s my junior year and will no doubt do the same this year. colleges will see and take things like this in account.</p>
<p>if your S is serious about playing the guitar and applying to music schools as a guitar major, the first thing you need to do is make sure he has a high level teacher. Guitar is a tough admit, because most music programs don’t have a lot of classical guitar students and they have very limited slots each year as a result, which means they are pretty choosy (I encourage you after id’ing programs, to e-mail the admissions office and ask them how many kids study guitar and how many roughly get admitted each year to get an idea). If it is like other instruments, the level only keeps getting higher and higher each year and the stretch towards it seems to start earlier and earlier. </p>
<p>The other thing that is helpful IMO is to check the websites of the schools, and see what the repertoire requirements are, that will give you an idea of what you are shooting for. The other thing may be to try and find someone to do an assesment on your S, to see what he may need (usual suspects are either a high level teacher who is a performer/came out of a high level program, or a teacher at a music college).</p>