I am a rising senior looking to study liberal arts and music for my college education. As for music, although I have been playing classical piano for most of my life, my interests are more towards film scoring and modern composition. If someone can compare the dual degree programs for Harvard NEC/Berklee vs Tufts NEC and tell me their pros and cons, that would be great.
The obvious difference is that Harvard has a BA with masters at NEC (MM) and Berklee (MA or MM); Tufts and NEC have a BA/BM program, so two bachelors degrees.
Logistical issues involve a little longer trip from Tufts to NEC but not too bad.
Berklee would have film scoring.
Your reference to “modern music” is not very specific. Have you been composing? I am sure you are aware of the contemporary classical scene aka “new music.” You would be exposed to that at any of these schools, along with a traditional background in theory, history, analysis, composition, technology and so on.
It sounds like you have been playing more traditional “classical” piano but there is a whole world out there of music from the 20th and 21st centuries including living composers of all ages.
For composition you always have the option of doing just a BA, in music or even in something else. You can take lessons and find performances various ways. Just wanted to add that option.
I know the faculty at all these schools. Can’t go wrong. Composition faculty at Harvard and Tufts are good enough that you might not even need NEC or Berklee. Though they are excellent too of course.
Thanks for your reply! Will definitely take into consideration.
I sent you a private message.
Start with the differences between Harvard and Tufts. For that I think you should visit both campuses when they are in session because the two campuses will feel very different. You might find you are more comfortable in one setting than another (although admissions and financial aide could also decide that for you, LOL).
Then there is the difference between a 5 year BA/BM program and a BA/MM/MA program. I believe there are quite a lot of posts about joint degrees that cover all the issues over which path you choose or if you even want to do a joint degree.
Finally there is the difference between NEC and Berklee. I remember asking our son’s HS private teacher about the differences when our son was applying. He told us NEC was about becoming an artist where Berklee was more about becoming a working musician. Our son ended up going to NEC for undergrad and doing his Master’s at Berklee Global. He has many friends and colleagues who went to Berklee Undergrad though. Berklee has amazing technical facilities. They have great sound scoring studios and production equipment. The resources in that area at Berklee far exceed anything you will find at a traditional conservatory like NEC. As for private teachers I would say the quality is equivalent. Many teachers that teach at NEC also teach at Berklee. When my son was an undergrad he even ended up going over to Berklee for his private lessons one semester as it just worked out better with his schedule. Where the two differ is in their approach to music creation, ear training, the culture within the conservatory and among the students etc… And for you to better understand that difference it probably makes sense to take a tour or talk to alumni or current students. And once that is all and done keep in mind that pure conservatory students at Berklee and at NEC collaborate all the time, so just because you are at NEC means you might use Berklee’s production studios and being at Berklee you might choose to work with NEC composers.
You also might want to look at NYU’s programs. And you might want to check out the combined Columbia/Juilliard program. Then there is Oberlin and Indiana and University of Michigan and Eastman/University of Rochester. If you are not focused on Boston there are plenty of other joint degree programs out there as well.
And finally at the end of the day what really matters is what you do once you are at college. Any of these programs can get you to where you want to go. None of them are going to be perfect and in all of them they are only as good as your own motivation and determination to succeed.
Also, frankly, film scoring and “modern composition” are two very different things. Some in the new music world would consider it an insult to say someone should write for film!! That’s not to say I agree but to show that there is a gap between the academic artist and the commercial one.
@compmom Would you mind sending me a PM? I have a couple quick questions about music at Tufts and I don’t have enough posts to be able to start a PM. Thanks!
Sure!
@compmom yes, I totally agree on your statement. Sorry for the miswording.
Best of luck with your search. You may want to search for some current students or recent grads of the said programs and seek their thoughts. One such person that I can think of is pianist George Li who graduated this year I believe. He is quite active on FB and may respond if nicely asked.