I’ll ask my kid about CalArts. I feel like he put it on the list and took it off again, but I don’t know why.
The New School was highly recommended to us as well. My son didn’t end up applying but we heard great things about it.
Since this thread is specifically for contemporary music, I thought I’d post this here and get any more ideas. (Thanks for those already shared).
At this late date, we’re looking for a few double-safeties: music programs that accept many applicants and don’t cost too much. Most of the schools on our list below have one or the other issue.
Who are we missing? What schools would be very likely and also affordable?
Loyola New Orleans
Columbia College Chicago
Berklee
The New School
CUNY Queens
SUNY Purchase
CalArts
Miami Frost
UNT
USC
Catawba
Probably crossing UCLA off our list, because we have a lot of stretch schools already.
I am going to look into Puget Sound. I just heard about that one. Any other thoughts? Thanks.
In case it helps, since your kid has a similar profile to mine (more contemporary guitar, but would consider jazz), here’s where he applied for music programs last year, where he got in and where he didn’t, and what he got for merit awards. Mostly music based but he also had excellent grades and test scores which helped.
Accepted - Belmont ($15K), Loyola NO ($30K), UT Austin ($0), Indiana University ($11K), University of Denver ($23K), ASU ($12K), St. Olaf ($33K), Loyola Chicago ($25K)
Waitlisted for music program - UNT (would have been able to go for in-state tuition because he got accepted into the university with a scholarship, and if it’s over certain amount you flip to in-state which would have been very nice. But he only got wait-listed for the jazz program unfortunately).
Didn’t apply but heard great things about in terms of program and $$ - Lawrence University, DePaul, SUNY Purchase, The New School.
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USC is very competitive and also quite expensive, although they do have good need-based aid if you qualify.
Also, many schools will require prescreen materials to be sent to them before they will schedule an audition and I think those deadlines are coming up very soon. USC’s is 12/1.
If possible I think it would be better, @BeverlyWest , to stick with programs that have contemporary guitar as a major or, at least, included in the major.
For instance, Lawrence has contemporary as part of the guitar curriculum:
“From classical guitar to jazz, contemporary, rock, blues, and more, take your skills to the next level with high-level study. An instrument used throughout many cultures, you can explore the world according to the guitar through styles like Flamenco music, Arabic music, early music, and beyond.”
Of course, some schools known for guitar, have classical guitar programs, some have jazz, some contemporary and some mixed. Just for my curiosity (I am sure you have looked):
Miami Frost appears to have classical guitar, but also Contemporary American Music as well as the M.A.D.E. program. M.A.D.E. with C.A.M. Minor | Frost School of Music | University of Miami
Do all the schools on your list have contemporary guitar?
It would be easier to have a shorter list! Can any school(s) be cut based on the specific offerings and/or finances?
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Thank you so much for this great information, and congrats for getting into so many fine schools. We’re going to look at Lawrence tonight, and I still have a great feeling about Loyola for my kid. He just got his invitation to audition for Miami Frost, so we’ll be visiting there soon!
Thank you for this reminder to stay more focused on contemporary offerings. It really helps. He’s into jazz, but also will still want to play soul, funk, R & B, etc. Some of the jazz programs seem to include this, while others are probably strictly jazz and would not be everything he’s looking for. I keep hearing about Lawrence, and we are looking at it tonight. It looks like we can take USC off our list.
Thanks for this. It confirms what I thought, and it makes it easy to cut that one from the list. My kid has been reviewing the prescreening materials for each school, and I hope he’s done some of what he needs to do ahead of time. 
He did videos for applying EA to Frost. (He just got his invitation to audition in Miami.)
I’m pretty sure we’ll cut some of the NY schools, though Queens is a financial safety and should be a great school. My guess is we’ll cross off SUNY and CalArts, but then add in one or two less expensive ones. If they take the common app and he can audition online, then adding one or two will not be too hard. If they require prescreening materials that he hasn’t recorded yet for other schools, then our list may be shorter. We are pretty much forcing him to apply for Columbia Chicago because we have a friend whose son, a similar sort of musician, is loving it.
Congrats! I know that a lot of people love Frost.
Also, I just sent you a Direct Message. You can access it by clicking on your “B” avatar on the upper right of your screen.
As I said on the other thread, this is not my area of expertise. But has he looked into Middle Tennessee State? It seems to have extensive music programs and could specialize in guitar or do a B.A. in Music (not sure which you’re looking for).
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Sounds like you have a lot of great options and are checking out all the right schools. We were able to use a lot of the same recordings for prescreens last year so hopefully that’s still the case with a lot of these schools. Between prescreens, auditions and separate music program applications, anything you can use for multiple schools is such a help.
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This is a good suggestion. They are strong in music performance as well as recording industry/music business. Being close to Nashville, they have good internship and performance opportunities, and they also give good merit.
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I don’t know your financial situation but USC would be a top choice otherwise
Studio Guitar | USC Thornton School of Music
SUNY Purchase is relatively affordable but basically classical or jazz. How involved is he in jazz? If her prefers the other genres you listed, that is probably a good filter (not to repeat myself!).
I looked up Hartt School of Music at the U. of Hartford, which is well-known for guitar. They also have a commercial music program with guitar and a jazz institute. Not sure but might be relatively affordable.
Guitar | University of Hartford
commercial music - University of Hartford
Hartt Music Program - University of Hartford
Hartt Music Program - University of Hartford
Another school known for guitar, somewhat oddly, is Bennington
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You know, I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before, but Oberlin’s TIMARA program is a contemporary music program. They are fairly generous with talent/merit money as well. Here’s the direct link:
My S22 is a voice major in the conservatory and is having a wonderful time so far.
Not sure Timara is a good fit for @barbara West’s son. It’s a great program though!
Ya never know! Rereading the original post, because he plays a variety of instruments, it occurred to me that it’s worth looking into because it’s such an innovative major. They get far more electives than the conservatory track as well, plus there are all these amazing ensembles to play in. My S’s HS music teacher was a graduate and man is he a versatile musician!
Jonatha Brooke is visiting this week and played with the improv ensemble, which kinda blew my mind, LOL.
The money and location have to work, though, of course as well.
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TIMARA is great for composers interested in electroacoustic work/electronics and mixed media etc.
Technology in Music and Related Arts (TIMARA) is for students who desire careers that combine traditional music skills with exploration of the latest techniques for electroacoustic musical expression. We offer a structured course of study that emphasizes the application of technology as a resource for careers in composition, new media, and performance.
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