Contemporary Vs. Classical Vocal Performance

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Now that son#1 is closing in on a college decision, my mind is already wandering to son#2. He is a hs freshman determined to be a rock star. He is in the school choir, where he sings a classical repertoire. His heart however, is in rock. He takes vocal lessons through the School of Rock, and is doing very well. His vocal instructor there was a voice performance major (opera). </p>

<p>I'd like to hear opinions on whether he would be better served in a college program in contemporary music, or get the classical training. Also, what schools would you recommend? He has a learning disability which rules out programs requiring stellar academics, so unfortunately USC is off the table. Berklee is of course a great option, but finances may not allow. Open to any and all ideas!</p>

2

<p>While I will be of no use in giving vocal advice, I can pull some past threads that may give you some alternatives. It’s a mixed bag of nuts, assembled by searching commercial, popular, contemporary as separate keyword (title) searches. A number of names repeat themselves. Hopefully, it may provide a starting point.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/752896-music-schools-embrace-contemporary-musicians-suggestions-requested.html?highlight=contemporary[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/752896-music-schools-embrace-contemporary-musicians-suggestions-requested.html?highlight=contemporary&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/729957-does-any-school-teach-contemporary-music-music-performance-major.html?highlight=contemporary[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/729957-does-any-school-teach-contemporary-music-music-performance-major.html?highlight=contemporary&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/423165-contemporary-jazz-voice-not-berklee.html?highlight=contemporary[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/423165-contemporary-jazz-voice-not-berklee.html?highlight=contemporary&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/430066-classical-vs-contemporary.html?highlight=contemporary[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/430066-classical-vs-contemporary.html?highlight=contemporary&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/396090-contemporary-music-school-electric-bassist.html?highlight=contemporary[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/396090-contemporary-music-school-electric-bassist.html?highlight=contemporary&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/266475-school-vocal-jazz-contemporary-classical-training.html?highlight=contemporary[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/266475-school-vocal-jazz-contemporary-classical-training.html?highlight=contemporary&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/596787-any-experimental-vocal-subject.html?highlight=vocal[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/596787-any-experimental-vocal-subject.html?highlight=vocal&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/399620-non-classical-vocal-performance-major.html?highlight=vocal[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/399620-non-classical-vocal-performance-major.html?highlight=vocal&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/351811-non-classical-vocal-programs.html?highlight=vocal[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/351811-non-classical-vocal-programs.html?highlight=vocal&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/538115-why-dont-more-music-geniuses-do-pop-music.html?highlight=pop[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/538115-why-dont-more-music-geniuses-do-pop-music.html?highlight=pop&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/737-berklee-college-music-pop-vocalist-hopeful.html?highlight=pop[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/737-berklee-college-music-pop-vocalist-hopeful.html?highlight=pop&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Thanks violadad! I had searched past threads but there was a lot of great stuff you listed that I hadn’t seen. My thoughts now are to have him try some summer programs over the next few years and see what program lights him up.</p>

4

Mamakin, I see you posted this in 2010. I am in a similar situation with my #2, now a high school freshman. Very focused on vocals but interested in Rock not Classical. If you receive this, where did your son wind up?

5

Gosh, I miss violadad.

6

University of the Arts in Philadelphia - finalist on “The Voice”, Matt McAndrew, is a student there.

Belmont - five graduates are contestants on “American Idol” this year. (Look up Cody Fry and Rayvon Owen, both are amazing!) My S is a senior at Belmont in music composition - also did 2 years of School of Rock on guitar. One of the singers he went to SoR went with is also at Belmont, and he has a high school friend who transferred there this year in commercial voice and she loves it. Nashville is an awesome city for musicians to go to college - tons of performing opportunities, Music Row internships, lots of shows to see, and it is way less expensive than NYC, Boston, or Philly. There are a lot of aspiring rock stars at Belmont. Commercial voice is a highly competitive major there, but if you get in it is a great program.