We are in Florida and my son has been accepted to BOCO as a composition major - does anyone have any input on how worth it the program is? We would spent little to nothing at Stetson University and/or FSU music schools in Florida, both of which have accepted him. But his dream has always been to go out of state- preferably the northeast. Intellectually I feel that it’s crazy to spend &55,000 plus per year for undergraduate…then again, I’m not the artist in question. I’m also concerned about the pandemic. Are people from out of state really shelling out this much money to go to BOCO- especially during these uncertain times? I will feel like a real idiot if he passes up the Florida school offers and ends up at home doing online classes!
I can’t say if it’s ultimately worth it, but it is considered the #2 music school after Juilliard. It’s a lot of $$ for sure. My D has a full tuition offer from Bard and I can’t get her interested in that school. Right now I’m focusing on her happiness and the training that would get her to be the best artist possible. They are committing to in person learning in the Fall so I’m not too focused on Covid. We are in Los Angeles and I just don’t want to get a call next Fall that she made a mistake in her choice. So I think we are going for BOCO and try to make it work. She’s our only, and I think we are committing to make some sacrifices for the next four years.
1 Like
You might want to post this on the music major forum, which is very active and helpful. Look under “Majors.”
@Skymomla where did you hear BoCo is the #2 music school after Juilliard? I don’t think that is true, though it is an excellent school and has an excellent composition faculty.
So does FSU, and FSU has several teachers for composition and theory. Stetson only has one composition faculty member, who also teaches other areas. I would go with FSU.
The thing to think about is, that composition is a long term endeavor. He will need grad school, most likely a doctorate. Some have to pay for the master’s (and BoCo could be a choice then). PhD’s and DMA’s are often funded and some have a master’s along the way, also funded. But living on that funding can be difficult financially.
The long term view would be to save a school like BoCo for later.
Students in top grad programs come from all kinds of schools and backgrounds.
Attending summer programs is also important for performances, recordings and connections. In order to get into grad school he will need 3-4 pieces, and it is helpful during undergrad to meet faculty and peers from various grad programs during the summer.
There are parents on the music forum with experience with FSU and with BoCo. Stetson has never come up in the years I have been on the forum.
1 Like
@Skymomla Bard has an excellent conservatory, and a full ride is really something to consider. If your daughter is an instrumentalist, I hope she considers Bard versus BoCo. However, Bard conservatory students are required to do a 5 year double degree, and I assume she knows that.
Tell her to check out Contemporaneous , a very successful ensemble that came out of Bard a few years back.
Thanks and good luck! Very helpful!
Yes intellectually I know you are right. We’re Making him visit FSU next week to see if he’ll get more interested. The problem is everyone has told him they focus mainly on graduate students and neglect undergrads. I have a hard time believing that as the music college consistently rates very high! Thanks for your input ‘ suggestions.
A lot of schools focus on grads, but the presence of grad students is also a big plus. Maybe you can find out who teaches undergrads and if there is a composers seminar of some sort. The other issue is whether they get performances.
1 Like
Yes he is very concerned about being able to perform and I’m not sure how many opportunities there will be as he is primarily a composition major but quite an accomplished pianist too…maybe he will end up double-majoring and that could help… he would love to accompany for musicals etc he has done quite a bit of that in high school and has absolutely loved it!
Summer programs also provide performances.
In the long run, your undergrad school does not matter as much for composers, who generally go on to grad school. Many years of lowish income that makes undergrad loans very difficult. And there are good teachers everywhere.
2 Likes
Congratulations to your son! My daughter is also a pianist and was accepted at BoCo for Composition. She did receive a nice scholarship but it’s still very pricey. Also learned no guarantee of housing after 1st year so will need to lease apartment which feels like a lot to manage on top of rigorous studies…So she’s unsure and leaning towards a school closer to home.
Have heard great things about FSU music composition program!
1 Like
Sent my request- good idea😜
Yes we are here in Tallahassee for a “tour” (but general -not of music school). My son is concerned he won’t actually be a comp major until end of year two- it’s confusing to me but he has had tons of questions for them and is having a hard time getting feedback. Someone messaged me about the huge difference between BOCO and FSU- Boco much more immersive and FSU more typical college experience. My son is all about the music and could care less about all the rest! Yes I have huge concerns about sending him north in a pandemic and the housing issue concerns me too but I was reassured there’s plentiful housing but it does all seem much more complicated. I made him come to FSU as I want him to have as much info as possible before the big decision day…we’re still in limbo but in my gut I’m feeling like it’ll be BOCO for us. I’ll message you - are you in Florida or are you considering FSU? If you are considering the two schools it would be great to introduce our budding young composers- they’d have a friend when they arrive at school!
I think some of the info you are getting is either wrong or being misinterpreted. Many schools have students declare a major at the end of sophomore year.
FSU offers individual composition lessons from the start if qualified or after the first theory class, depending on qualifications. The curriculum is indeed immersive. Note that the liberal arts classes include music history. BoCo may not have math or science, so that may be the only difference.
I am trying to post with an ad banner across my page. So forgive any typos. I feel like you are trying to convince yourself that BoCo is worth it and I really don’t think it is. Again, for composition, you have to take the long view financially. Here is the info on the site:
BM Composition-Fall 2019.pdf (fsu.edu)
BoCo is small and all students are studying the arts. FSU is not immersive in that sense.
The curriculum and faculty at FSU look great. I was particularly impressed by the page where they ask students to think about what optiion fits them best becaius so many composers are now using daws to compose and realy belong in commercial.
@Bikerchic66 Sent you a PM due to ad banners in the way.
1 Like
BoCo does have math and science. I found the liberal arts section on the site.