<p>We visited Juilliard and found it under massive construction -- scaffolding, black plastic, all the windows boarded up in the interior hallways -- it is apparently a project that will continue for the next couple of years. I found it a little grim and the lack of space for hanging around with other students lacking in any event (I asked the admissions tour guide where Juilliard students congregate and, after looking a little confused, she pointed to a corner of the concourse facing Lincoln Center, where 5 students were smoking cigarettes, and said, "There." She added that they also hang out in Lincoln Center itself, when it isn't too cold -- or when there isn't, as on the day of our visit, a huge tent erected for a private event). I don't know whether the students find it claustrophobic, but then, they are expected to practice around 6 hours a day, according to the information session, so are probably used to small spaces...</p>
<p>Cleveland Institute of Music is also undergoing major renovation and new construction. I actually liked the atmosphere when we first visited in April '05 but was completely surprised by the mess when we returned for a concert and second look in April '06. Mud, scaffolding, temporary ramps, and noise. I'm sure the end result will be great, but potential students should look into the construction schedule and be aware of the hassles in the meantime.</p>
<p>We visited Peabody during their renovation and we actually felt GOOD about seeing money being poured into a conservatory. Simply put...when was the last time they renovated "THE DORM" at NEC? Most conservatories just don't have money. While it's an inconvenience, think of the alternative...outdated and grim facilities forever.</p>
<p>Old buildings and dumpy dorms do seem to be a common problem among conservatories.</p>
<p>I thought CIM was supposed to have completed that phase of construction last spring/summer. Or am I mistaken? Their new building looks nice, and it is good to see any good school upgrading the facilities, long overdue for most.</p>
<p>The Juilliard construction isn't really affecting the housing portion - Meredith Wilson Hall. (By the way, rooms are in suites, and I didn't think they were dumpy at all.) Students hang out there in the lounge, weight room, or cafeteria. (Keep in mind that the school is small - just a few hundred, so large hang-outs aren't necessary.) But I don't know that students "hang out" as much as at other schools. My S lives off campus, but spends all day every day at the school. When he's not in a class, rehearsal, or lesson, he is usually in a practice room. Or the lab, or library. Weekends are often spent in Central Park, playing Ultimate or having a picnic, or playing duets with a friend to passersby - collecting spare change. He has a gig almost every weekend, and it seems that he gets invited to a party every weekend as well - usually off campus.</p>
<p>Most of the construction involves adding a floor to an already existing building, and reconfiguring the space. I think the construction is mostly affecting the private lessons - as practice rooms are under construction, and it is often noisy. They tried to get most of the noisy part done over the summer or at least not during orchestra rehearsals. The other area that has been affected is the occasional "outage" due to construction - I see emails about phones not working on campus or such. But since S lives off campus and has a cell phone, this is not a huge problem for him. I am kinda glad - after all is said and done - that he got shut out of housing this year, though!</p>