<p>Hey, I'm having to decide between two small private schools and i REALLY need an opinion on this.</p>
<p>The first school has an excellent composition department, and has gotten students into NEC, Peabody, etc. so would be a GREAT school for me as far as composition goes and both of the composition professors are great. But it has a reputation for being a party school and it's overall music department is tiny. This school places a lot of emphasis on electronic music, too, which i'm not currently interested in, but it's definitely something important.</p>
<p>The second has very few composition majors, but a relatively new composition professor (who has gone to Juilliard and Eastman, and is an excellent composer, although that doesn't necessarly mean she is a good teacher) who has even agreed to give me composition lessons freshman year, which isn't typically allowed at this school. However, both composition professors at this school compose only traditional music and I would not be very involved with electronic music. I really love this school and the faculty there, and it has a larger music department, and the students there seem a lot more serious.</p>
<p>I am really split between the two schools. I'm concerned that if I pick the second one, I will not be able to get into grad school, and I feel I have a lot of potential now to grow as a composer and I really don't know if that school will help me reach my full potential. On the other hand, if I went to the first school I feel like I might regret my decision, or not be happy there. I REALLY don't know.</p>
<p>Both schools are about equal financially, although the second school gave me more in scholarships, (vs. need-based grants) so the money is more reliable and would not be lost if my parent's income changes.</p>
<p>Anyways, I would really appreciate any opinions! Thanks!</p>
<p>Rarely is the choice obvious. There can be some better aspects at school A, and some obvious pluses at school B. Weigh the most important factors for you. Did you “click” equally with all faculty? Opportunities to have your work performed better at one than the other? Is the musician level higher at one over another? A too small program may not have the best depth instrumentally or vocally.</p>
<p>My experience is that over partying is not an issue with most serious music students. </p>
<p>A smaller environment may get you more individualized attention, but more “like-minds” in a larger scenario is often just as beneficial. </p>
<p>In some cases, you flip a coin. If the result doesn’t make you happy, then you go with the other school.</p>
<p>Eliminate emotions from the decision, if at all possible. Assess logically.</p>
<p>“I really love this school and the faculty there, and it has a larger music department, and the students there seem a lot more serious.”</p>
<ul>
<li>I think that’s your answer right there. Go to the school you love. Neither choice will be the absolute determining factor as to whether or not you get into graduate school. And don’t fret about electronic music - if that’s the direction you find you want to go, you’ll find a way to get there - but it is certainly not a requirement by any means for admission to grad school or success as a composer. Pick the school where you feel like you would be most happy. My two cents. :)</li>
</ul>
<p>I’m with Spirit Manager on this. Quote: the students there seem a lot more serious.</p>
<p>This is very important. For example, my D and I visited one school that has a good (regional) reputation in music. However, on our visit, we observed students texting in class, more than 1/3 of the students showed up late to all the classes that we visited, singers came unprepared to a master class. This lack of seriousness really bothered my D. You will be very happy to choose a school with serious students. </p>
<p>Why is it that you feel that you won’t be able to get into graduate school if you go to School #2?</p>
<p>It sounds like you want to go to the second school.</p>
<p>You mention that composing of electronic music is one plus at school #1, and that at school #2 it is strictly “traditional music.” Do you consider compositions that are not electronic to be “traditional,” or did you just express yourself wrong?</p>
<p>“New music” is hardly traditional, and is often not electronic.</p>
<p>Sorry, I may have used the wrong terminology. I just meant that school #2 does not place much emphasis on electronic music, and when I spoke to one of the professors she said that neither of them compose electronic music, though their music is definitely modern. So basically my concern is not that their music is too “traditional,” it’s just that I would not be exposed to electronic music and like I would at the other school.</p>
<p>It’s hard to give you advice without knowing what schools you’re talking about. You’ve formed impressions of each school that may or may not be accurage. Other members may have different impressions and experiences with the schools.</p>