<p>Hi!
I'll be an incoming Freshman this coming fall and I am currently between two schools: The Crane School of Music and the Ithaca School of Music. I find that Ithaca is the better school, but Crane, while not as big as Ithaca, is good and cheaper than Ithaca. Currently, My heart is set on Ithaca, but I don't know how I'll be able to deal with the high college costs. Help?!</p>
<p>Baritenor2012, I would like to include your information over at the <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1260441-master-list-music-school-acceptances-fall-2012-a-60.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1260441-master-list-music-school-acceptances-fall-2012-a-60.html</a></p>
<p>For purposes of that list, and from your screen name, I will assume that you have been admitted to BM programs in vocal performance at the two schools you mention. Please let me know if any of that is wrong. Also, it would be nice to know about any other acceptances you may have gotten, even if you are no longer considering attending any of the others.</p>
<p>Regarding your question, have you had sample lessons with teachers at each school? The fit with the individual teacher is very important. Many would say that is the single most important thing. Many people will also tell you that it is not a good idea to take on a lot of debt for an undergrad degree in music (or most other majors, for that matter.)</p>
<p>I am actually going for Music Ed at both schools, but I am considering dual majoring with performance. My teacher told me to take sample lessons but I never could do that. I never had enough time to do that, only visiting Crane once before my audition and going to Ithaca for the first time at my audition. Would it be better for me to go to Crane, then?</p>
<p>I can’t say which would be better for you - I do not know nearly enough about you or the teachers involved. Any chance you could squeeze in a visit to one or both for a sample lesson before the decision is due?</p>
<p>Baritenor, Sent you a p.m.</p>
<p>Both are great schools for music ed. If the debt isn’t too high, Ithaca is a great town, also. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to run up debt for undergrad. Crane does send students on to good grad schools. Several of the seniors son knows are going to Eastman for grad school. Son is a freshman double bass student and says that all of his friends who are vocal majors are very happy at Crane. The Crane chorus and orchestra will be performing at Lincoln Center this week and you can listen to a streaming performance of the on campus concert tonight if you go to the Crane website. Potsdam is a very small town but the Crane students are always busy 7 days a week so there isn’t much time left to go off campus anyway. If you have any other questions, please feel free to PM me. Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>I have a good friend that attened Ithaca, another one Potsdam. They jokingly argue which one is the better musician. The Ithaca grad just celebrated his 20th year of teaching and loves it “on most days” 
and he is a leader in the field of music education in our state. He played Alto Sax, big into jazz. The Potsdam grad is a few years younger, but earned a full scholarship to get his Master’s at Yale and is more into classical, with full time work in an orchestra for the past 15 years.</p>
<p>I don’t know if this helps much, but I guess the point is both schools met both of these student’s needs. The Ithaca grad got his Master’s from Syracuse. Funny thing is the one that had to choose based on money later went to Yale, free, his dream. But he said he also felt he had to practice extra hard to be prepared vs. Conservatory students for Yale. But that was what he needed to get off his butt and practice! Not that Potsdam was a bad school, but he developed an inferiority complex because he was at a small state school.</p>
<p>I just spoke to a boy that was deciding between Nazareth and Potsdam. Nazareth is private and he was accepted but without much aid. He had a trial lesson and liked both teachers. Money told him he had to go to Potsdam. He liked it but hated money made the difference. He then went on to the Nazareth website and read the teacher he would have had’s bio. In it, she claims who her mentor is, best teacher, the person who made her career-- the teacher at Potsdam! He felt much better!!</p>
<p>Forgot to add the Potsdam grad double majored in education/performance. After student teaching, he REALLY amped up his performance resume because he hated teaching! Things can change once you’re there. Do both school offer many of your interests?</p>
<p>Baritenor: I’ll follow up on the Crane Lincoln Ctr trip. The entire Crane Chorus (200+) had the opportunity to go to Lincoln Center plus a select group from the Crane Orchestra(80+). They had a great 3 days in NYC and had the chance to perform under the baton of Ann Howard Jones. The school has new donors funding the performance series so that every year a nationally renowned conductor will be brought in to work with the students for a week and to perform a major work: next year they will be doing the War Requiem. The donors are also funding travel to major performance venues. If you chose Crane, you will have some great opportunities ahead.</p>