<p>Hi!, I am writing you from Tabasco Mexico, need some advise to help my daughter. She is on her last year of high school. And she wants to become an opera singer. She has been evaluated by two music teachers in M</p>
<p>I know that many of us parents feel the same anxiety for our children as you. Preparing to audition at a conservatory is hard work, and the schools can be competitive. There are parents of singers who post on this message board who I hope will be able to give you the benefit of their experience as far as lining up a list of schools that will include schools that are difficult to get into and some that are "safer" bets for admission. </p>
<p>Good luck, and best wishes to your daughter!</p>
<p>
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she already has a list of the colleges and conservatories she would like to go (aftear reviewing some of the web pages on her list, I found out that the level of musical competence is very high, as it should), I would like to make another list
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</p>
<p>If she already has a list, it would be helpful to post her choices. It might make suggesting alternative choices a bit easier.</p>
<p>Here's some past threads with some suggestions and insights:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/331355-more-choices-vocal-performance.html?highlight=vocal+performance%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/331355-more-choices-vocal-performance.html?highlight=vocal+performance</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/479642-schools-vocal-performance-where-apply.html?highlight=vocal+performance%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/479642-schools-vocal-performance-where-apply.html?highlight=vocal+performance</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/171401-best-choice-vocal-performance-soprano.html?highlight=vocal+performance%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/171401-best-choice-vocal-performance-soprano.html?highlight=vocal+performance</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/39171-music-schools-vocal-performance-major.html?highlight=vocal+performance%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/39171-music-schools-vocal-performance-major.html?highlight=vocal+performance</a></p>
<p>Here is the list of conservatories and univerisites she has selected after reviewing them searching the web (bridge to music, NACAC)</p>
<ul>
<li>Rice University</li>
<li>Mannes Conservatory</li>
<li>Julliard School of Music</li>
<li>Peabody Institute</li>
<li>San Francisco Conservatory</li>
<li>Eastman School of Music</li>
<li>Purchase College State University</li>
<li>New England Conservatory</li>
<li>Boston Conservatory</li>
<li>Oberlin Conservatory</li>
<li>Manhattan School of Music</li>
<li>University of British Columbia (Canada)</li>
</ul>
<p>Since she has to go away from home, the geofraphical situation really doesn't matter. </p>
<p>But considering the travel for the audition I am advising her to select a zone around New England, that way we could be able to make the most out of a possible trip.</p>
<p>I am also preparing her fo in case she passes the pre-screening process but she does'nt make it through the audition to go an search for a "safer" Institution and when she is ready then try again.</p>
<p>Thak you all for sharing this moments with me.</p>
<p>Most of the schools you've listed here are very competitive. You may want to select a few that are less so. I'm sure somebody here with a performance voice major son or daughter can help you select a few safeties.</p>
<p>Besides her list, at the moment we do not know any of the schools. I am not worry about her being homesick she has been away from home learning english and french. </p>
<p>But due to her personality, I would love her to go to a school that cares for the people, a good comunity (teachers and students) that encourage her to be better and to where people helps each other, a healthy competition, a place where she does'nt get lost where it is possible to know everyone. A school where she has a chance to perform and a place with things to do, learn and share.</p>
<p>WOWW, Thank you. How could I built a better list. A list of not too competitive institutions?. Of my list, What schools would be the "safer" ones?</p>
<p>Look into Oklahoma City University.</p>
<p>Boston Conservatory may be considered a "safer" one, if she is a classical singer. Purchase may also be among the lesser selective ones on that list. But do realize that this is a big blanket statement, and she may just as well get into Juilliard while denied from those two. UBC's music department I know nothing about. Could be a gem, but I usually have never heard its name pop up in any conversations about good music programs.</p>
<p>Other than Boston Conservatory, Purchase, and UBC, all the schools you listed are "top-tier" level music schools, the types that usually have over 150 sopranos apply for around 5-10 spots. Soprano, violin, flute, and piano are the most competitive fields at the undergraduate admissions level.</p>
<p>I will start a new list, so far I have found two options:</p>
<p>Oklahoma City
Westminster</p>
<p>Open to sugestions!!!! Thank you</p>
<p>Also look at the College of Wooster near Cleveland. They have a strong voice/music program and their campus is home to the only Light Opera company in America. Wooster is ranked 2nd tier in the US News and World Report "best colleges" and is one of Loren Pope's "Colleges that Change Lives." It's an excellent school and it gives very good merit/financial aid. :)
The</a> Ohio Light Opera - Wooster, Ohio - Home</p>
<p>You might add University of North Texas to your 2nd list. It has an excellent music school at a very reasonable price, as colleges go -- if your daughter qualifies for a scholarship. They have quite a large population of students from many different countries and try very hard to make admission happen for international students. A plus for you as a Dad would be that Texas is alot closer to Mexico than, say, Rochester NY!</p>
<p>Also another point that may or may not be of interest to your daughter, being an international student. Keep in mind that she will be a minority, and the setting of the campus may or may not have an impact on her experience. Is she willing to live for 4 years in a place where essentially 95 percent of the population is white caucasian? Places like New York City, Boston, and Houston are thriving cities made possible by the influx of a variety of cultures and ethnicities. In places like Oklahoma she might feel out of place.</p>
<p>"But due to her personality, I would love her to go to a school that cares for the people, a good comunity (teachers and students) that encourage her to be better and to where people helps each other, a healthy competition, a place where she does'nt get lost where it is possible to know everyone. A school where she has a chance to perform and a place with things to do, learn and share."</p>
<p>I think your list is of schools which will NOT do these things for her. A conservatory environment is the wrong place for a young singer to be developed and nurtured, and most conservatory faculty members do not think undergraduates belong there. A strong state university program or an LAC with good music faculty is a much better idea. Good luck to her.</p>
<p>College of Wooster. :)</p>
<p>I agree with Loreleis comments re conservatory vocal programs. UNT(North Texas) has a great program and is a friendly place. Another small nurturing enviroment, as well as a possible safety, is Loyola New Orleans. If you visit Loyola, take a short trip to audition at LSU as well. They have an excellent voice program. Their students do consistently well at the Met auditions.</p>
<p>I take issue with lorelei2702's comments. It is a hugely personal decision and what you said is a huge blanket statement. Yes, for some students, being at a place like Juilliard shatters them and their morale. For others, they seize the opportunity and take their ability to soaring new heights, using the focus and competition of the atmosphere to drive them on. It is the latter type of person that becomes the successful musician.</p>
<p>IMO, in a competitive field as this, you need all the leg up you can get - and that includes going to the very best school you possibly can. Not a place where you can be "nurtured" (translate: babied) so you'll be "happy".</p>
<p>The music world is not for the faint of heart. If you don't feel like you can hang in there with the best of the best, perhaps it is not the place for you.</p>
<p>Thanks to you all. Great help!!!!!!. Thats exactly what I am talking about: The development and nurturing of a young singer life. At this moment, a University setting looks more appealing to me and her, later on; she might consider a conservatory for her graduate program, who knows.
I will continue on my search.</p>
<p>I am seconding University of North Texas as a great choice. It is an outstanding music program in a university setting, probably not as competitive as Julliard, Peabody, etc.</p>
<p>Purchase is very competitive--don't make the mistake of using this as a safety. It is one of the cheapest educations around and has become an extremely popular choice. The percentage of students who get in is very small because it is a small conservatory. Don't cross it off the list, just don't mistake it for an easy school to get into.</p>
<p>We thought the University of Massachusetts Amherst had a nice music department, definitely better for classical musicians than for jazz. They are small (the music school, not the university!) very nurturing and not too expensive.</p>
<p>McDaniel College in Westminster MD is another good small music department in an extremely nurturing school.</p>
<p>stephmin, your perspective may be for instrumentalists, but for singers, the issue of physical maturity is paramount. Singing is refined, disciplined emotional expression. For string players especially the element of competition and high level peers is crucial. For singers, the time to mature under the guidance of a knowledgeable, helpful teacher and access to appropriate performance opportunities is more consistently accomplished away from conservatory life. </p>
<p>WorryDad, there are many resources here....read as many of the referenced threads as you can. However, none of us can know what your daughter's level of talent and accomplishment are. For those determination, she needs access to a knowledgeable teacher, especially now. Even if she has to travel for lessons, it is the crucial element.</p>