<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>