Late Bloomer, Contemporary Music - Advice?

College Majors Music Major
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<p>My S wants to study music, and I'm in a bit of a panic. He discovered his passion a little late - he's now a HS junior with a spotty music background but loads of talent. After taking lessons and flourishing on electric bass, he's taught himself acoustic guitar, plays a little electric guitar and drums, plays piano mainly by ear, and has great vocal pitch and a good natural voice - he's even dabbled with things like ukelele and harmonica! </p>

<p>He takes a worship band class at his private Christian school instead of traditional band, and he's been working on keyboard and theory for a few months with a friend who is a college music professor. He plays for chapel and for large teen services at our church, often leading the band and doing lead vocals while playing. He has written a few things and is learning to use recording and notation software.</p>

<p>His goals? Just to get a better grounding in music that he can take in whatever direction he chooses, whether that's performance or songwriting, commercial music or Christian music, secular performing or music ministry.</p>

<p>With one year before auditions, what should our strategy be to prepare him? Will he have a hard time even getting admitted? Could Jazz Studies be a better route for getting in the door?</p>

<p>He has talked about piano as his instrument, because that's what he wants to work on the most, but it seems like even commercial/contemporary music programs require a classical piece or two. Should he do a "crash course" year with a more classically oriented piano teacher? What else can he do to improve his music reading? Are there other areas or issues we should be concerned about?</p>

<p>This is a lot to ask at once, but any advice on any point would be welcome!</p>

<p>Some other info:</p>

<p>PSAT 209
GPA 3.65
Played trumpet 5th-6th grade, tuba 7th</p>

<p>Possible schools that have contemporary or contemporary Christian music programs (Berklee - too expensive):</p>

<p>Belmont University
Greenville College
Cornerstone University
North Park University</p>

<p>Jazz Studies?
Illinois
Northern Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Any in Midwest cities like Chicago, St. Louis...??</p>

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<p>johnc, welcome. The first thing I would recommend would be to read BassDad's terrific post here. It gives a broad overview of the process of researching, preparing for, and auditioning at a college level undergrad music program regardless of the focus. If you have scant or limited knowledge of the processes, it's a great starting point.</p>

<p>As a caveat, I have no formal music training. My insights are based on my own experiences of having put a son (BM Hartt/viola performance) through the process, and the background I've gained from that and our own research, plus info I've absorbed from the vast pool of knowledge on this forum.</p>

<p>There are audition based and non audition based music programs, offering both BA and BM degrees. The BA is a bit less intense, has more non-music/ liberal arts requirements, and less hands on credit hour requirements in terms of ensemble and performance courses than a BM. In a sense, the BM is akin to a BS, a more "hands on" focused curriculum.</p>

<p>One of the best means of assessment of a student's potential and existing talent is from a music professional... this can be a private instructor, teacher, vocal coach, etc. Perhaps the friend you mention can give you and your son an honest evaluation as well as some direction as to what may make sense as to best prepare him. Not knowing his level of ability, or having heard him perform, no one can truly advise you as to the best way to proceed.</p>

<p>Good piano skills are an asset to all musicians, regardless of genre. Formal trainining would be a help, and will help in his theory, composition and score reading skills. </p>

<p>As to whether he'd be admitted, I would say that he'd probably be a long shot at some of the programs you've mentioned. He could well be up against an applicant pool where years of private instruction, summer program participation is the norm, not the exception. He could be a viable candidate at a number of programs, including Berklee and Belmont. Seeing he's unsure of direction, he may well be served by a good general BA music program, refine his skills, and then apply to a strong grad school program.</p>

<p>You might want to investigate these two as well:
The</a> New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music
Contemporary</a> Music Program</p>

<p>There are posters here with more knowledge in jazz and contemporary programs. Hopefully, they'll chime in.</p>

<p>Also, you can use the "search this forum" feature to find similar discussions.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>BassDad's post is here: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Just wanted to add that it is not too late...Our daughter's musical interests blossomed in Junior year. She began composing the previous summer, found a mentor who helped her zoom ahead and who got her music played at some impressive places....she began theory study the Sept, of Jr. year and also studied it in the summer, enabling her to take the highest level theory class at a well-know conservatory prep this year (we also pay for private theory lessons to help fill gaps)</p>

<p>While all this is expensive and time-consuming, we figure it could save money and time in the long run, by helping her get scholarships (maybe) or move faster through a BM. Also, we did not spend money or time in all those years she "missed" in her musical education, while others were studying every Sat. at the conservatory prep!</p>

<p>Most important, none of this was especially stressful for her, because she LOVES it!</p>

<p>It is easy to feel "behind" and that it is "too late" but I think your son sounds like he has a lot of talent and skills already, so starting to build "clout" (as people put it for us) will help him in the long run. Maybe find a good, dedicated teacher who can guide you/him in all this. I am not a musician and have had to rely on my best skill: picking up the phone and making brave phone calls!</p>

<p>ps she also began classical guitar at age 14, after being a school band clarinet player, and has blossomed with that as well in the last 2 years</p>

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<p>compmom,</p>

<p>Where did you locate classes for your daughter to study music theory? </p>

<p>My son would be considered a late bloomer but has been making enormous improvement in the last 8 months. But other than theory classes he’s taken for 3 years in his youth symphony, he’s never had an opportunity to take additional classes. He does not attend a performing arts high school; his HS orchestra or honors orches. do not offer theory. His private lesson teacher, who has been the driving force in getting my son prepared, & helps with college audition guidelines, has never mentioned this before. I can’t recall having heard about such classes being offered, even in summer music programs. Could this be geared toward composition primarily? We don’t want to drop the ball in a specific area if this is something that should be addressed soon.</p>

<p>Other posters can post their comments too.</p>

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<p>Many HSs offer AP Music Theory, north of you, but south of the Wisconsin border. Don't let the "AP" part get you, even if a student gets a 5 on the AP test, they still have to take the placement tests and have 4 years of Music Theory if they're performance majors. At the undergraduate level, the Music Theory placment test has nothing to do with admission, just placement. The advantage of taking the course is that they'll at least know what's going on and they won't have to start at the very beginning</p>

<p>I think your son will still be OK since he's had some music theory.</p>

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<p>Imperial, That is reassuring to know and I remember bringing this up 6 months or so ago & I believe you and others said the same thing. </p>

<p>Not going to worry anymore. Thanks!</p>

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<p>JohnC,</p>

<p>I have discussed Belmont University in the past. I see it is on your list and think it may be a good fit for your son. My son and daughter-in-law finished there and were very pleased.<br>
My daughter has a talented friend who hopes to go to Lee University in Cleveland, TN. Lee has a curriculum that may be interesting to your son.<br>
Both schools will require auditions, but I think both will be more open to students with less formal training but a large amount of raw talent.</p>

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<p>rudysmom- As Zep said, don't sweat the theory. And the placement test is just that, an assessment tool to assign first level theory courses. His time will be best spent perfecting his audition rep.</p>

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<p>I was just trying to make the point that it is not at all too late, and wasn't suggesting a particular path. I love watching teenagers in later high school, begin to take off with things they are passionate about: the high school athlete who does a play and finds a new direction, the musician who switches instruments, even the slacker student who suddenly wakes up.</p>

<p>Our culture is so rushed and competitive, and music culture can feel even more so.</p>

<p>Our daughter was even considering a year off, so she could work more on music and get the most out of future programs, but right now, she is feeling like it is okay to go now. But, things are flexible in life...she will do that, if she doesn't get in...</p>

<p>As to theory studies, for classical composition, the theory exam at schools is not just for placement. I can't speak to what happens with jazz studies, which you mentioned for your son. The conservatory prep. in the city closest to us held a workshop in the fall on applying, and suggested that everyone, meaning instrumentalists too, take some theory, or even take private lessons in it, to "catch up." This may be unusual, I don't know. It is also from a more classical program...</p>

<p>That being said, our child is very interested in theory, so that is why she is taking it. Your son sounds more multi-faceted, more contemporary, and maybe more jazz oriented.</p>

<p>Sounds like he already has a good teacher guiding him, and I think that is half the battle.</p>

<p>So, again, just trying to make the point that it is not at all too late, and very exciting that your son is finding something he loves at this point in his life. All kinds of things happen to all kinds of kids in these last two years of high school, and it is very cool. Things will work out: he has talent, he has enthusiasm, he has a good teacher, and he has you!</p>

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<p>First the caveat! I agree with everyone who has said don't panic over your child's pre-college theory prep. For instrumentalist and vocalists, these audition day tests are most often placement or extra data points - not determinitive factors for admission. I suspect composition students are held to higher standards.</p>

<p>That said, I have these free on-line programs bookmarked from S's pre-college days (2 years ago):</p>

<p>Dolmetsch</a> Online - Music Theory Online Contents
Good</a> Ear - Online Ear Training Site
Ricci</a> Adams' Musictheory.net
[url=<a href="http://www.teoria.com/%5Dteor"&gt;http://www.teoria.com/]teor&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Also consider (especially for jazz)</p>

<p>"Training the Ear" Vols I and II by Armen Donelian</p>

<p>a</a> r m e n j a z z . c o m</p>

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<p>DD was sure she was going to struggle since she had never had theory classes and just had what she picked up in band and chorus classes and her voice instruction. She despaired somewhat with some of the theory placement tests since she did not know a lot of what was in the harder ones. They were obviously not a factor in section since she was accepted anyhow. She has had to work hard now at school to catch up but she is doing well and it is doable. Again,composition may be different but it seems Rice at least puts all their students in the same class for theory and aural skills. Very few even try to test out. You might see if other paces you are interested in are similar.</p>

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<p>S enrolled at one of the few conservatories that clearly stated that the audition day tests were used for admission purposes. Undergrad and grad students were given the same test. I watched as applicants left the room after taking the test. All the potential undergrads were shaking their heads - not even upset, they'd just found the later portions of the test to be ridiculously hard! So difficult they figured it couldn't matter for undergrad admissions.</p>

<p>S said students who later enrolled were placed in all levels of theory - 1st year, 2nd year, even directly into counterpoint. He was surprised that there were also a number assigned to "pre-conservatory" theory - a no credit one semester class required prior to being allowed into the regular sequence. These students are all accomplished musicians - they perform well and were desirable performance majors. The fact that some had weak theory backgrounds did not become a factor leading to immediate rejection, just placement in a remedial course.</p>

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<p>We ran into one school that used the theory and aural skills test for admission - West Chester University. My D auditioned and was accepted there for vocal performance, but had to get a certain score on both tests before being admitted. There was a certain score to be met on the vocal audition for admittance too. The scoring sheets were reviewed and if the numbers are there, you are admitted. They explained that people who abandon a music major almost always do it because of theory. You can be admitted as an undeclared and do remedial work there and re-audition.</p>

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<p>Just one more thing to add: I don't know anything at all about jazz studies, so whatever comments I made were relevant for classical music studies (including what is called "new music" or contemporary concert or contemporary classical or whatever you want to call it). So many really good schools have jazz studies now, and requirements in the curriculum (or admissions) are probably different than those our daughter is looking into...Many people here know a lot more about this...</p>

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<p>Thank you all for the encouraging and informative posts! Sorry I haven't responded sooner - been home sick...</p>

<p>violadad - I have skimmed BassDad's work, and will return to it. Getting an evaluation from his teacher is next, and perhaps a few other people we know.</p>

<p>compmom - "making brave phone calls" - that's it, isn't it!! Picking up the phone and not being afraid to sound a little stupid... :-) Thanks for the push!</p>

<p>henrob - Thanks for the note on Belmont and Lee. Belmont is definitely high on the list, and Lee looks interesting. Coming out of a Christian HS, he leans away from a Christian college, but has the impression Belmont is not as strict and "Christian" as others. Found many of your comments in other threads, and you seem to confirm that.</p>

<p>In any case, Belmont may be the best option in the middle of the country. Other commercial programs seem to be on the coasts and cost $45,000+!</p>

<p>All of you have confirmed some things we were thinking and brought up other good points. Depending on what our more musical friends and acquaintances advise, we'll make sure he keeps getting the keyboard and theory he needs, and perhaps some jazz stuff as well.</p>

<p>He has a chance to go to one of Berklee's shorter summer workshops, and I just heard about a week-long program at nearby Illinois Wesleyan that covers composition and other topics about studying music in college. Need to check that out!</p>

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<p>Illinois Wesleyan has a small, but reasonable music department. It may very well be a perfect place for a late bloomer. Was DD's safety and they certainly weren't stingy with financial aid...</p>

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<p>Two books we used in our research which were helpful in different ways were "Peterson's College Guide for Performing Arts Majors" and "Schools that Rock". The former is a more traditional college guide with listings of schools, majors, admissions criteria, etc. and which also includes a section on being a music major. The latter is a fun guide published by Rolling Stone Magazine that lists schools with good music programs and good music scenes around campus, which is important for jazz and contemporary students, as they learn from getting out and playing local clubs, etc.</p>

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<p>My son is a freshman jazz studies major (sax) at Michigan. He loves it. One of his requirements in looking at a school was that it allowed him some freedom to create other kinds of music besides jazz. The head of the UM program, Ellen Rowe, said, "As long as it has integrity, we support our students' pursuit of their musical voice." Ellen is very accessible and worth talking to.</p>

<p>My son is liking the jazz, and also joined (with 2 other jazz studies majors and 4 other kids) one of the hottest rock/blues bands on campus called Great Divide...check them out on MySpace.</p>