I’m currently a junior looking at schools where I can study music seriously while also having the opportunity to study something in addition, or take liberal arts classes. I’m looking very seriously at McGill (so I could minor in French) and Frost (for the BA in instrumental performance), but have some conservatories on my list as well. Has anyone had experience with any of the mentioned schools, or maybe MSM/NEC/Eastman? How can I best get in? What are the pros and cons of each education? Thanks!
I know someone who graduated with Bachelor’s and Master’s in music from McGill. He said that is was very academically challenging, and says “you have to want to do it”. Also, he loved it. Note that the program at McGill is quite large, and that you need to be academically strong to prosper there and not just a great musician. He credits McGill with giving him a strong overall music education, and not just teaching him how to play an instrument or how to write classical music.
There are quite a few other universities in Canada that have very strong music programs. You could of course minor in French at most (or probably all?) of them. There are not so many where you can walk off campus, walk into any store, and practice your French, although many probably have a French club or a French dorm.
Do you want a large university or a small one? How academically challenging would you want it to be, and how are you currently doing in high school? Do you have a preference in terms of location, or at least coast?
U of T has an excellent music program and you are a stone’s throw from the Royal Conservatory of Music which has not only classes for professional training (in addition to their certificate program for younger musicians) but also the absolutely beautiful Koerner Hall which hosts dozens and dozens of performances each year.
Many of the students at Eastman double major through the University of Rochester.
Given the option of McGill or Toronto the cost of an American music school would be a negative.