<p>First of all, I am new to this forum and I would like to introduce myself. I am a high school senior from NJ and will be applying to colleges in the fall. I am stuck in a fairly complicated situation and I suppose I could use a bit of help from those with experience. I am looking to major in either Musical Theater or Vocal Performance (non-Classical). Unfortunately, I cannot find many colleges that offer what I am looking for. I am much more singing focused than acting and I do not have a huge repetoire of acting experiece. My singing experience is endless, as I have done pretty much everything my high school and my state offers. My parents do not want me to leave the east coast, which I understand completely. This has to do not only with location, but with the fact that I am somewhat allergic to the sun and places such as California, Florida, and Arizona would not be the right places for me to go. I am a big city person, which is why, at this point, NYU (Steinhardt) is my "top" choice. I am also looking into Berklee in Boston, but I am hesitant since I wanted to minor in English and I know that Berklee obviously does not offer that. I am traditionally more of a "pop/rock/r&b" singer, which is why Berklee is so appealing. If anyone knows anything that could help me in any way, I would greatly appreciate your input. My current options are as follows: NYU, Berklee College of Music, Syracuse, University of Hartford, and University of the Arts. If there is anyone who can provide me with additional information about the auditions or the music programs of these specific colleges, or have any other suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time</p>
<p>Hello Becca and welcome to this forum! Here are some preliminary thoughts...</p>
<p>First, I think your list so far shows thought/research and has some fine choices for you. </p>
<p>Second, I think you need to think through which sort of degree is best suited to what you want. I am not so sure if a BFA in Musical Theater is the path that fits your desires. MT encompassex singing, acting, and dancing and if you truly just wish to focus on singing or want to pursue a career in contemporary music, I don't see the fit there to study theater so much. You could, but it seems like a compromise of sorts, plus these programs are so intense that unless your heart and soul are in theater, I can't see going through such an intense program without a strong desire to do MT itself. </p>
<p>IF you go the MT route, I'd add or look into these on top of the ones you mentioned:</p>
<p>Wagner College (BA by audition....theater with a MT emphasis....on Staten Island)</p>
<p>Emerson (BFA in MT but maybe you could take some courses at Berklee....my D's close friend did the BFA in MT there last year but has since switched into the BA in Theater Performance with an eye on the kind of voice training you are interested in and taking some of that at Berklee....Emerson has a BA by audition program as well...in Boston)</p>
<p>Marymount Manhattan (BFA in Theater Arts with a Minor in MT...located in NYC)</p>
<p>Baldwin-Wallace (BM in Musical Theater and more music based than some BFA programs, located 20 min. from Cleveland)</p>
<p>Point Park (Pittsburgh)</p>
<p>Penn State </p>
<p>Montclair State (in NJ....I'd check this program out because they have several different options and you can opt to focus more on singing within the BFA in MT)</p>
<p>Muhlenberg College (not that far from NYC or Phila....it is a BA (in Theater including Performance) program with an optional audition with very good MT training and you could major in Theater Performance and Minor in Vocal Performance in the Music Dept.)</p>
<p>American University (BA in MT by audition)</p>
<p>Then there are Vocal Performance majors and most of these tend to focus on classical voice training which you said you do NOT want. If you really don't want that, I'd not pick a college around that major as your primary criteria. On the other hand, classical voice training is a solid core/basis for other styles of singing and so could still be a beneficial way to go. I am not clear, however, on your eventual goals. </p>
<p>You may want to look into (remember...these are classically based):
Steinhardt
Purchase College
Barnard College
Curtis Institute of Music
Manhattan School of Music
Sarah Lawrence College
Smith College
UMass-Amherst
Boston Conservatory
Boston University
Temple University
U of Maryland
U of Delaware
Penn State
Ithaca College
Hunter College
Montclair State
Rutgers - Mason Gross School of the Arts</p>
<p>IF your goal is to pursue contemporary/pop/commerical/jazz singing, there are SOME programs geared toward that and I'd really look into those. Some suggestions in this category are:</p>
<p>Berklee College of Music (I really think this is the best option given what you have shared so far....and as far as English goes....Berklee has a reciprocal relationship with Emerson, BOCO, NECO and I would look into taking some liberal arts courses particularly at Emerson)</p>
<p>University of the Arts (already on your list....very good option for your interests)</p>
<p>Belmont University (in Nashville which isn't super far south and is a great city for music and not a long flight from NJ....has your field)</p>
<p>Five Towns College (on Long Island...has contemporary music)</p>
<p>William Patterson College (in NJ...not as close of a match but does have jazz vocals)</p>
<p>Millikin (it is in Illinois which is not technically the East but isn't that far.....see what they have)</p>
<p>Columbia College (in Chicago)</p>
<p>Hofstra University (on Long Island.... not certain if exactly what you want but worth digging to find out more)</p>
<p>Towson State (in MD...I haven't looked into this for you but I think they MAY have commercial music)</p>
<p>This is a preliminary brainstorm but it boils down to which type of degree program fits your needs the best.</p>
<p>The past few years, I have "advised" a mom (just via posts) who used to post on CC and has a D who wants pop music (degree and career) and only wants to be in NYC or LA. The mom posted as "Angstridden". You could search her name and come up with various threads where this was discussed. Here is one thread discussing some options in NYC:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=107442&page=1&pp=15%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=107442&page=1&pp=15</a>
(there were several other threads too)</p>
<p>Hope this is a little "start"...</p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>PS...Syracuse and Hartt each have either BFA in MT or a Vocal Performance major and these likely involve separate auditions (not sure if you can apply for both...you'd have to find out) but fall under those two categories of degree programs.</p>
<p>I auditioned at Syracuse and Hartt for MT along with several other schools. I can give you specific info on the auditions, based on my experience. Both of these schools had difficult dance auditition. In fact, them plus Boston Conservatory were, I felt, the 3 most difficult dance auditions I partook in. That being said, they were not impossible, but I would seriously suggest taking at least a jazz dance class before the auditions start. I obviously don't know your dance backround so disregard it if you already take dance. Hartt actually has a ballet componant to their audition, too. The rest of the audition was pretty standard at both schools- lots of waiting, go in and sing, do your monologue(s), sometimes they ask questions, leave. Oh, also, you mentioned you don'[t have a ton of acting experience. I would highly recommend finding a class or just a skilled person to help you with your selections and/or the preparation. Feel free to message me if you have any questions and good luck :)</p>
<p>another thought... Northwestern University in Evanston (Chicago area). The sun doesn't shine much here in the winter!</p>
<p>It also is not the East Coast, but flights are very, very frequent between Chicago and New York (Northwestern is an easier access than Millikin in Illinois). Downtown Chicago is about a 20 minute train ride away; public transporation is reasonable and safe from Evanston to Chicago.</p>
<p>The reason I thought of Northwestern is because you don't audition for their MT program until the end of your freshman year. They take 1/2 of their MT students from the theatre program, and 1/2 from their vocal performance program. It would give you a chance to focus on vocal performance during your freshman year, and then decide if you wish to audition for MT. However, my bet is that their vocal music is a more classically tailored program. But your interest in minoring in English would also be a perfect fit for Northwestern since their academics are outstanding, and they offer so many opportunities. If you're already looking at NYU, then obviously you have the stats to also be competitive for admittance into Northwestern. </p>
<p>There is a nationally recognized dance center in Evanston that you could also take classes at during your freshman year to prepare for the MT program. It's Giordano's Dance Studio. My daughter (a high school senior, who's had one formal dance class in her life) is taking dance classes there this summer. It's actually very cool - they have a punch card system and she can go to whichever classes she wants to in any given week depending on her schedule. On Wednesday nights, she takes four classes (modern, jazz, hip-hop and tap). On Saturday mornings she takes ballet. They offer different levels depending on your background, but you can float in and out of classes. I'm sure Northwestern offers dance classes, but if you are just looking to pick up enough to audition with until you got into the program (and would then have more time to take some theatre classes), then Giordano's would be awesome. It's within walking distance of campus. Again, I know Northwestern doesn't fit the geographical wishes, but the structure of its program would give you some additional time to figure out which direction you'd like to go in.</p>
<p>But isn't Northwestern classicaly oriented? I thought it was, it might not be...</p>
<p>Belmont University in Nashville should be a consideration. My son graduated in Commercial Violin Performance and married a Commercial Vocal Major. Both are performing and doing studio work in Nashville, which is what they wanted to do. Neither one is in country music.<br>
The largest group at the school in music by far is the Commercial Vocal Performance majors. The competition is tough with some very fine singers, especially female. There are some trying to make it in the country area, but many more that are going in the rock, pop, Christian directions. The exposure to the music industry in Nashville is hard to beat. Plus it is a full University so you may pursue your other academic interests, if you have the time in addition to the music program.</p>
<p>"But isn't Northwestern classicaly oriented? I thought it was, it might not be..."</p>
<p>I think that's why I said, "However, my bet is that their vocal music is a more classically tailored program." That's OK; I scan things all the time and miss details that I pick up the second time around : )</p>
<p>Haha yeah thats probably what i did. missed that. oops.</p>
<p>Oklahoma City University?</p>
<p>The problem with Oklahoma City and Baldwin Wallace (for this inquiry)is that they and probably most other B.Mus. MT degrees are classically based. </p>
<p>I agree with a few posts above that if you are looking for commercial voice, Belmont should definitely be on your list.</p>