I’m a rising senior looking for a liberal arts education in conjunction with jazz studies in college. Dual degree programs are great but require applications to each institution. To minimize the number of apps, can someone compare Berklee and NEC in context to studying jazz saxophone?
Is there a reason you left out Harvard/NEC?
Berklee and NEC have very different approaches to teaching music theory, which in turn can influence composition and how you approach music going forward. I am not saying one is better than the other but they are different.
NEC is more of a traditional conservatory environment. It is small and intimate and almost everyone knows each other and plays and creates music with each other. There is a real focus on traditional music skills and practice versus production and marketing and business.
Berklee is a very large school with a huge international population. It also has considerably more technology and access to technology than NEC. And probably a larger course selection when it comes to marketing and business and production.
There are faculty who teach at both institutions. But in some cases NEC might have somebody Berklee doesn’t and vice-versa.
NEC has Ken Scharphurst (one of the most dedicated educators I have ever met…but that is my parental bias…this guy almost never misses a student recital and his quiet positive presence is felt throughout the NEC program).
Both Berklee and NEC are located near one another so getting from Tufts or Harvard to either is what it is especially in winter. Each program…Harvard-Berklee, Harvard-NEC, Tufts-NEC has it’s nuances in terms of what degree you get and what requirements you must fulfill.
Students from NEC and Berklee do mix with one another. But because of it’s size the NEC kids do form tight bonds with each other. I met a guitarist who graduated from NEC in the 70s who said he still plays with the musicians he met as an undergrad.
good luck and can’t wait to hear what you decide. Personally I would apply to both as they are both super competitive to get into.
Well, the issue is for Harvard you need to choose between NEC or Berklee.
Thanks for your response. Both programs are incredibly competitive but I think it might make sense just to apply Tufts/NEC. It looks like Harvard partners with Berklee or NEC for an MM rather than a BM offered by Tufts at NEC. I don’t think I want to play music professionally, so I think an MM is excessive. Also, NEC seems to cater more to my interests considering I just want to study jazz performance and composition and not much else. The only reason I would apply to Harvard at this point would be if I had the opportunity to take classes at Berklee or NEC without a dual degree. I just can’t seem to find information on that.
If you have no desire to study music professionally then the Tufts/NEC program might not be for you. It is pretty intense and most people who do it are pretty about pursuing music in some manner after graduation. It requires a commitment and honestly if you do not show signs that you are committed chances are you will not get in. Tufts actually has a pretty decent music program of it’s own so you could probably continue to study music without being in the joint program.
There are plenty of excellent schools where you can go as an undergrad and do liberal arts studies and continue your Jazz education. Columbia and University of Michigan are two that I know have worked well for students like you.
So, what does “study jazz performance and composition” in college mean to you? Are you thinking that you’d like to take some theory classes, private lessons, participate in ensembles…? Do you have aspirations about studying with high-profile faculty? If you’re not interested in a professional music career, what do you hope to accomplish? Does getting a BM matter?
My son is a jazz saxophonist and attends Berklee. One of his closest friends is at NEC, a jazz pianist. They play together all the time, play in each other’s sessions, and have a band with a mix of Berklee and NEC students. Berklee limits access to many classes until you’ve successfully declared your major, which requires passing proficiency. Better ensembles are by audition which are competitive. It can take perseverance to get the in-demand faculty for private lessons. Keep in mind that kids who were stars in high school are dime-a-dozen in music conservatories. (My son and his pianist friend played together in a high school combo that won two Downbeat awards.)
Have you looked at the music program at Harvard? Esperanza Spalding just accepted a position at Harvard, and Vijay Iyer also teaches there.
Columbia has a very strong center for jazz studies, and a relationship with Juilliard.
Oberlin is another school worth a look.
I strongly recommend that you read the essay “Double Degree Dilemma” closer to the top of this forum. It really is about different ways to study music and has examples of specific hypothetical students with different goals.
You may be able to study privately with a teacher at NEC, yes. I know one student who got into Harvard and NEC but didn’t apply to the double degree program due to extra cost, and was offered study with the same NEC teacher he would have had if he had been in the double degree program or just attended NEC.
I also know someone who studied privately with a NEC teacher and didn’t even major in music at Harvard.
Harvard has revamped their curriculum for music majors to accommodate more interests and goals and after enhancing applied music (performance) a few years back. You get credit for lessons, and they have instrumental faculty. You also get credit for performance in orchestra and certain ensembles.
Tufts has a wonderful music department.
I think your best approach is to find a college or university that has a good music department and opportunities for lessons and performance. You can double major depending on your other interests. Or major/minor.
Look carefully at websites and ask questions to find a good fit. Look at course descriptions, gen ed requirements, faculty bios, and degree requirements. Look at jazz offerings, obviously.
If you apply to a school that has a conservatory or school of music attached to it, be aware that the best opportunities may go to BM students Check that out because there are exceptions.
Generally,there are many options. If you do change your mind about a future in music, you can always pursue it via gigs or apply to grad school.