<p>Hello! I am a vocalist from New York planning on majoring in Music Education. I am completely torn between both Ithaca and Hartt. I've had the opportunity to visit both schools and I could really see myself at either place. I did not get the chance to meet many faculty members at either school. Also, I wouldn't mind teaching in either Connecticut or New York.</p>
<p>Many of my current and former teachers would like to see me go to Ithaca due to its prestige, but I'm not sure if I am willing to attend a school based on prestige alone. I felt as though I personally fit in better at Hartt.</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone could give their opinion on either or both schools, especially the vocal faculty. My goal of pursuing Music Education is to come out of college ready to teach, but also to come out as a better performer. I just hope I don't choose the wrong school! I can't imagine that I'm the only music major faced with choosing either a prestigious school or a school that makes them happy (not saying that I wouldn't be happy at Ithaca, I think I just enjoyed the "vibe" more at Hartt.) If anyone else is dealing with this struggle, I'd love to know how you're dealing with it/what factors are influencing your final decision.
Thanks a ton!</p>
<p>Both great schools - I don’t think you can go wrong with this decision. My kids are instrumentalists, so I can’t comment on the vocal end, but here’s what I’ve picked up over the years.</p>
<p>Ithaca is well known for its music ed program. It’s got a great campus (I know it well) and is a good spot to live for four years. It’s a bit difficult to get to and will be difficult to visit the city while you’re there, but my understanding is that the school recognizes this and makes an effort to bring in professionals for master classes etc.</p>
<p>Hartt also has a strong music ed program. My D3 is a soph there and knows several vocalists; she tells me its a strong, competitive program. The first year students all perform a solo at the beginning of their freshman year. Hartt brings in people for masterclasses, and is situated about halfway between Boston and NY. D will be driving to Boston next week to meet with a luthier and has tkaen public transportation into NY on several occasions.</p>
<p>Your post sounds like Hartt is #1 right now in your mind - you should probably visit one or both schools one more time and shadow a current student just to make sure. The decision making is the hardest part, I think!</p>
<p>Yes, I have been recently accepted to both. These were the only two schools I auditioned at, which may be why I am so torn between the schools.</p>
<p>First off, you should check the reciprocal teaching agreements between NY and CT, or where ever you want to teach and the location of your chosen school. There are still some states which don’t recognize each other’s certification and you’ll end up resitting the teaching exams all over again.
As stradmom told you, the locations of the two schools are quite different and if you need to factor in transportation costs and times, this can be important and would most probably be more expensive for Ithaca. That city is a college town- with Cornell being located there too- so pretty much everything revolves around the schools; the nearest “city” being Syracuse, which is not exactly a booming metropolis either! Hartt is more centrally located but the surrounding area isn’t especially pretty.
Have you visited both schools? And do you have a teacher assignment yet? PM me if you’d like to discuss some of the voice faculty.</p>