Community Colleges and Music?

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Hi! I was wondering if it was possible to attend a community college as a music composition major and then transfer to a conservatory or a college of music. Can anybody who is accepted into a cc major in music?</p>

<p>I feel that my skills in music are not on the conservatory level and my GPA (roughly 2.6).....okayy..it sucks. Do you guys know any music colleges with uhh..."high acceptance rates" I may have a chance of entering? I received an 1850 on my SAT....a 4 on ap music theory test (if it means anything).. Yepp. Well..I'll be hoping for a response! Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I live in Metro Atlanta. Our local community college, Georgia Perimeter College, offers an associate science degree in music. They accept just about anybody. </p>

<p>Associate</a> of Science - Music, Georgia Perimeter College Catalog</p>

<p>That's a bit far from California; sorry, I can't help you with anything out there.</p>

<p>Many CCs are part of the state-school system in that particular state. So, for example, credits from Perimeter might be accepted at UGA or GA State.</p>

<p>
[quote]
As a GPC student, complete your core courses or earn an associate degree and transfer to your choice of more than 20 four-year schools—guaranteed. GPC’s Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) agreements include some of the best public and private colleges and universities in Georgia. GPC students can sign a TAG agreement any time during the year.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Here are a few random things to think about while we're waiting for more knowledgeable posters:</p>

<p>Why are you thinking community college? If you want to go there to get your grades up, that could be a good idea. There are many schools that would squint a bit at your SAT and GPA, but who would appreciate some success at a CC level to counter it and prove you're ready to buckle down, and can handle the work.</p>

<p>If you want to buy yourself time to improve your music skills, you need to concentrate on finding a teacher first, and find a CC near the teacher. CC music teachers are probably not going to be your best bet for private lessons.</p>

<p>If you can afford it (and have other options to keep your parents' medical insurance going), you might want to consider a gap year concentrating on music only. And maybe a light-weight job to keep the 'rents happy.</p>

<p>If you are thinking a CC might be a cheaper way to knock out a couple years of college, be aware that most music schools are picky about accepting music courses from other schools. A CC probably wouldn't satisfy them. Most conservatories are especially picky. (And they also don't care too much about SATs and GPAs, either.) You are pretty much guaranteed to start over as a freshman. So you'd be not saving much time or money there. The only way you might make it work would be to take core classes (math, English) rather than music courses, and transfer to a school that requires them.</p>

<p>However, there are scads of good schools out there that will welcome students like you, and you might find them more acceptable as transfer credits than a CC.</p>

3

<p>I did a quick google search on "community college music theory and composition" and actually came up with far mor hits than I expected.</p>

<p>Now, finding one in close proximity to you geographically and offering a quality program and faculty that will position you to transfer to a good college music BA program in composition is probably going to require alot of searching and a great deal of luck.</p>

<p>I'm not saying that it probably hasn't been done, but at least in my experience community college is not the "normal" route into a college undergrad music degree.</p>

<p>There are two types of undegrad music degrees, the BM and the BA. The BM is an audition based admit, and is akin to a BS in that it is a more focused, music heavy curriculum, requiring numerous mandatory courses in music theory and history, piano/keyboard training, usually 8 semesters of participation in performance organizations/ensembles, and some type of juried evaluation annually. Liberal arts and general academic requirements are fairly minimal, and there is not much fat in the curriculum for many electives. </p>

<p>The BA may may not require an audition, depending on the specific discipline. In the case of a comp major, it would likely involve submission and review of your representative works. The curriculum is "lighter" musically, with more liberal arts requirements, less "hands-on" music.</p>

<p>binx makes some good points, and I might suggest also looking at a lower tier in-state public 4 year school that would accept you as a comp major (BA). Put two years under your belt, do well and try to transfer to a school with a stronger program,although as binx said, most likely you'll have some issues transferring music credits. Your grades, and by your own admission your skill is not conservatory/conservatory level. These two factors make talent and merit aid unlikely, and thus would eliminate most private programs unless money is no object.</p>

4

<p>Try Santa Barbara City College. They have a special arrangement for students who plan on transfering to to UCSB. UCSB is not all that great for performance majors but they have an interesting composition program. I also know of a student who was successful in transferring from SBCC to USC Thorton School of Music. And on their music web sight they list other students who have transfered to UNT.(North Texas) Look at the CC UC transfer forum and Im sure Santa Barbara City College is discussed.</p>

5

<p>If you do not mind coming east and do not expect much in the way of merit-based aid, you may wish to check out schools like Bowling Green State (OH), Rider (NJ) and Shenandoah (VA). All of these report that 25% to 35% of their entering freshman class had high school GPAs under 3. Your SAT scores would be 75th percentile or better at each, and at least Rider and Shenandoah have some variation of a BA program in music or performing arts that does not require an audition. You would, of course, have to audition if you wanted to later change to a BM in composition, but there would be fewer problems with getting credit for the courses you have already taken. All of them have composition majors in music programs that range from very well regarded to top notch.</p>

6

<p>I don't know what your financial situation is, but along the gap year line, there is a program in England for students like you who want to improve their academic record and apply to college for the following year. The Oxford Tutorial College in Oxford is pricey, but they have tutorial-style education (1:1 teacher student study) and you have to be asleep every day not to do well and leave with A's. They offer music and music technology among a long list of academics. They also give you intensive help with your college applications, and give you an internship whle you are there. The school is international and many British kids go there because they didn't do well on their college entrance exams and want to re-take them after a year of preparation. Kids from the US go for the reason you might choose to go or some are there just for the gap year experience of living in Europe because you can take as many or as few classes as you want.</p>

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<p>This is funny because I actually transfered from a community college in Los Angeles, and after two years there working my rear-end off I am going to NEC for a BM in composition. I, too, had awful grades, then started over at Los Angeles City College, worked hard to become in the top 1% in the school - so it only takes a little determination. LACC is in Hollywood and the campus is nothing to speak of, but the Music Department is amazing! The Chair, Dr. Wanner, has all three degrees from Columbia in composition, and teaches theory, keyboard harmony, and musicianship when he can. The primary theory teacher, Dr. Kelly, is this young hot shot from UPenn who also teaches advance classes like Counterpoint, Orchestration, and Twentieth Century Composition Techniques. The primary piano professor, Ms. Park, has her MM from Juilliard and is astonishing on the piano. The main vocal professor, Dr. Gengaro, has her PhD from the Thorton School of Music at USC. And they're all great people to boot! </p>

<p>More over, the school has a "Composer's Club" with weekly meetings and a project for the end of the semester. The students have a chosen ensemble for which they write during the semester, then they have a read-through, and the pieces get performed live in the hall at school wide concert. You then get a recording that you can use for your portfolio. Its an amazing and unique experience for a community college. </p>

<p>Obviously, I strongly recommend the school. The Music Dept is the jewel of the college with their outstanding faculty.</p>

<p>PM me if you have more questions and good luck.</p>

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<p>That's a great story, compclub! Congratulations to you.</p>

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<p>compclub, I love your story! My S had a fine community college experience: he took music theory from a professor who wrote a music theory textbook, who had a research interest in creativity in young composers. The professor's Ed. D. dissertation was on early developmental factors influencing creativity in eminent living American composers. The college was mostly preparing students to transfer to 4-year music ed programs, not conservatories, but he would have given huge opportunities and support to a young composer.</p>

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<p>I would second what compclub has said. From firsthand experience I can say both Los Angeles and New York (and, I suspect, many other large metropolitan areas) have musically rigorous community colleges, where someone can spend some time and work their way into a top program. compclub's achievement demonstrates what's possible.</p>

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<p>Thanks guys for all the valuable responses~! After reading through the advices and experiences, I really feel more confident in college selections! </p>

<p>If you guys know more about community/"easy to get into" colleges with good music programs, I'd still be really happy to know about it. I'm pretty much open to anything right now (out-of-state, etc.) but leaning towards the LA, NYC, or Boston areas (big cities). I just hope I can follow compclub's example and work my way to the top. Thanks again! :)</p>

12

<p>Hi!! I’m a student from India, and I’ve applied (and gotten into) a few colleges in the US - Loyola University Chicago (Music) and Rollins College (FL)(Musical Theatre). I’m also waiting for results from Rider University (NJ), UCI and CUNY; but because they’re so expensive (Loyola still is, even with a $10,000 scholarship), I’m now looking at CCs, preferably in LA or NY, or other big cities with more performance opportunities. I’d love any help on the best colleges I should apply to - for a Music major, or any scholarships by CCs in these cities. My academic record is excellent (a GPA of 3.96), and the only thing stopping me from going to a 4-year college is the debt I’ll be in for the rest of my life. :slight_smile:
Also, since I’m at a disadvantage (being a international student, I’ll have to leave if I don’t get a job after I finish), I’m looking to transfer into a top-rung school after the CC degree. I’d love it if anyone could help me out, since I haven’t found a single website comparing CCs based on a specific major.</p>

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<p>lasoprano—the big issue for a music degree and a CC transfer is that it is VERY difficult to transfer music credits from one college to another. They may transfer as general ed credits but they frequently do not apply to the core requirements for your music degree. Even when the school that you transfer from is a well regarded LAC, Conservatory, or University—the music theory sequence is different or the private lesson credits will not transfer. ( I know this, since my D struggled with this as an undergrad) So you end up spending an extra year or two making up the difference. That equates more time and money. If you are looking to study musical theatre, the MT major forum might give you more insight. If your goal is strictly Classical Vocal Performance, consider getting the best teacher you can as an undergrad without going into debt and get your “top rung” serious experience as a grad student.</p>

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<p>lasoprano, I am adding your Loyola University Chicago acceptance to the <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1260441-master-list-music-school-acceptances-fall-2012-a-61.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1260441-master-list-music-school-acceptances-fall-2012-a-61.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If you get any other acceptances as a music major, I would appreciate hearing about those as well so that I can add them to the list.</p>

15

<p>Dave-Are you a junior? Have you looked into the Berklee School of Music 5 week summer program? I’m not sure if they have a composition program in the 5 week, but if they do, it would be a great opportunity to assess where your skills are in relation to other kids. You may be underestimating yourself. Also, when my son went there last year, his skills improved a lot just from being in that intensive program.</p>

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<p>Dave is the OP from '08. Lasoprano brought back the thread with a question of her own.</p>

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<p>Thanks for telling me about the list, BassDad, I’ll definitely let you know about any other acceptances :)</p>

<p>As for CCs, musicamusica, I checked out a site called [Welcome</a> to ASSIST](<a href=“http://www.assist.org%5DWelcome”>http://www.assist.org) created specifically for transfers from CCs in California to UCs and CSUs. That site shows that a few classes (music and dance ones, not GED) are equal between some of the good CCs (like Santa Monica or LA City College) and UCs. Is that true?? Or is it like you said, that even though this website says it’s equal and will be transferred, I’d still have to do 4 years at a uni after I finish at a CC? 'Cause the main reason I’m doing this is for the money factor, and it’ll be crazy if I just have to start out as a freshman after 2 years.</p>

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<p>If you are planning on transferring to a UC, I would contact the music department of each one that you are considering a transfer to and make sure that not only do your credits transfer, but that the credits count towards your music degree. Call the School of Music or the music department for each, not just the general admissions dept. For example, 4 credit units may transfer, but they MIGHT not be directly applicable to your music requirements. Call UCLA Herb Alpert SOM (for example) I’m sure that they get this question all the time. Ask specifically about theory credit transfers(how the sequence is set up and how feasible your plan is), and voice lesson transfers. Also note that UCLA has a very small voice department and right now they are extraordinarily selective. So you might want to ask this question of some other UCs as well.
Another thing, OOS for the UCs is very expensive and unless you have an extraordinary voice there is not a lot of money available for merit aid. If you are interested in staying in California, try calling USC as well. Though it is a private school, the cost may be less than an OOS UC, there is more merit money available to undergrads and their VP department is much larger.</p>

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<p>Thanks a lot! I’ll call and ask them right away…what about CSUs?? I’m assuming CSU, LA is a good choice, right?? And I’ve UC Irvine also in my list of California unis.
PS. USC is University of Southern California, right? :)</p>

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<p>CSU LA—is not the best choice for an OOS voice student. And yes, USC is the University of Southern California. I think the Cal States Fullerton , Long Beach and Northridge have better reputations as far as MT or VP go. But still, they are a far better bargain for in state students. Another school you might want to look at is UNT. (North Texas)They have a good voice program and if you qualify for merit aid, you can get in state tuition. I think several students who have posted here have found that UNT can be a real bargain:</p>

<p><a href=“http://music.unt.edu/[/url]”>http://music.unt.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;