<p>So I'm looking to transfer to a different school. I'm from Central NY and I am looking for a school somewhat in this region. I'm looking for a school that:
-has a good music industry program (I want a program that's a little bit of everything - not just business. I want to still take music classes and lessons, and I also want some business courses and music technology/production courses as well. Songwriting would also be a plus)
-has a marching band
-has lots of school spirit
-is located in the northeast (although I also love the VA/MD/DC area)
-is somewhat affordable (so no one suggest schools like Berklee or NYU please) </p>
<p>I absolutely love JMU in Harrisonburg, VA...they literally have everything I want in a school. The only problem is that they are really expensive for an out of state student, so my family could never afford it. But I really want to transfer to a school similar to JMU (ex. great marching band, school spirit, music industry major). </p>
<p>I’m at Fredonia. I put down performance at the time of my auditions, but have since changed my mind and decided that I’d rather do music industry. Fredonia’s program is practically all business courses, and you don’t even need to play an instrument or take lessons, which I don’t like since I still want to grow as a musician.</p>
<p>I’m guessing that finances are still a major issue in picking another school. Some things to consider will be that most music schools have their own music theory and aural skills sequences and are not very lenient in placing transfer students in upper classes in the sequence. They often do the same with music history courses. Because they are often tough on placing transfer students, you will probably have to take an extra semester or two at the new school which will add to the cost.
I can’t think of a school in the northeast with your parameters which will be similar in cost to SUNY Fredonia unless you receive significant merit or financial aid. Unfortunately, most schools save their best packages for incoming freshman. Syracuse might be an option if you get a lot of aid.
If you can’t afford changing schools, you might want to look into a joining pep band at Fredonia or starting one. Also, do they have any music sororities at your school? At son’s school, the music sororities are very active doing charity work as well as having social activities.</p>
<p>SUNY Oneonta would be an option with similar tuition as Fredonia. They have a music industry program but they probably do not have a marching band.</p>
<p>This is a tall order. Typically when pursuing a music degree, you’d select an emphasis such as performance, technology, or maybe a hybrid that includes songwriting.
Rarely would music business be in that mix as a degree except as an elective course. It’s a different discipline.</p>
<p>To attempt to “major” in ALL of the foregoing essentially means not doing any one thing particularly to a professional level. A BMUS is considered a “professional” degree in that it is specialized. Music technology is typically a “professional” degree (as a BMus or a BFA or a BSc) in and of itself.</p>
<p>For “Songwriting” as opposed to “Composition” – that is most frequently offered at a more meaningful level at a specialized hybrid program such as NYU’s Clive Davis program for Recording Arts, or in a contemporary program such as Belmont or USC Thornton or yes, Berklee. All schools you’ve kind of ruled out due to expense.</p>
<p>I wonder if you might be happier pursuing a dual degree in music and business.</p>
<p>Northeastern in Boston does have a music business course with an ensemble requirement and music history/theory requirements…but that’s not in state for you so I don’t imagine it would be any cheaper. And again, no BMUS sequence style studios.</p>
<p>Can you not simply pursue private instruction at your existing school to complement the music business courses? Most uni’s with a music department have staff available for private studio instruction.</p>