<p>Is there any official ranking of music schools? or are there generally recognized "tiers" of schools? where would one find this information?</p>
<p>lkf - two classmates of my S's - who haven't even graduated yet, have secured jobs with symphonies. But I understand what you are saying, there are a lot more graduates than openings. At the same time, symphonies are only one "job" - there are myriad ensembles, soloists, teaching ops, one-time gigs, and so on. Has to do, at least in part, with fire in the belly.</p>
<p>Thanks binx. Actually, I wasn't trying to imply anything, but only to ask the question. My son is a talented musician and his teacher thinks he might be able to "make it", but the opportunities for employment are slim. As a parent it worries me that he will not be able to find work in music performance. It's encouraging that you know two students who have been able to find work. In Germany? How far do students usually need to cast their audition net?</p>
<p>lkf - My S#2 is at Juilliard in NYC. One classmate has landed a job in New England, the other overseas (don't remember which country.) These are people who play my S's instrument -- I think competition is more fierce in some instruments than others, but I really only pay attention to the one my S plays (brass). I am right with you on the concern about employment. S#1 is graduating with a degree in economics, which also seemed un-employable to me. I was lamenting the fact that I was going to have sons majoring in econ and music, and would probably both be living at home, without jobs, for years. S#2 thoughtfully responded, "Yes, but at least S#1 will know WHY we're unemployed." :) (However, S#1 already has a job lined up, so I worried for nothing.)</p>
<p>A side point about overseas -- In Germany (where we live temporarily; we are US citizens) opportunity is much greater for musicians. Classical music is respected here. Every major city, and many - or most -- smaller cities have at least one symphony orchestra, an opera orchestra, various ensemble groups.... There are plenty of US musicians in these. It's worth keeping this in mind as an option. </p>
<p>As for "audition net" - I'm not sure if you mean for college or for employment. My S applied only to 4 schools (and got in 3) -- he decided he'd rather take a gap year than go to any other school. Fortunately, he didn't need to. Your S's teacher is probably the best guide to which schools might be best for him.</p>
<p>Best of luck to your S. Talent, passion, work ethic, and a bit of luck -- Somebody gets to do it, why not your son? And mine. ;)</p>
<p>I wonder why classical music has less of a following in the USA? I surprises me that there often many empty seats when our orchestra plays. People here thing nothing of spending $100 to take their family to a sporting event, but seldom take their children to attend a cultural event.</p>
<p>binx: who is your son? what instrument does he play? is he a first-year? does he live in the dorms? I might know him.</p>
<p>Helloangel - are you at Juilliard? I think everybody knows everybody there. I tried to PM you, but you don't have it turned on.</p>
<p>As for Germany, my son's trumpet teacher started in Germany, and he is always telling my son that he needs to study in Germany. Apparently there are lot of opportunities over there.</p>
<p>binx--yes, I go to juilliard. my e-mail is: vmc @ juilliard.edu</p>
<p>feel free to e-mail me! how do you turn on the PM box on here?</p>
<p>Helloangel - my S says he knows you. To change your settings, like for PM or email, go to the top of the page and click on "My Control Panel."</p>
<p>Recent graduates of a particular school? If you mean in general, then yes, I do-- a flautist in San Antonio, a bassist at the Met, a violinist in Chicago, a tubist in Singapore, a bassoonist in Chattanooga, another violinist in Augusta, GA, and others. All but the last of these have completed M.M.s, though.</p>
<p>I was looking at the College of Wooster website and was very surprised to discover that music majors (BM) students can petition to do a "double major" (BA or BMEd). From what I read, they lump double degrees under the same heading as double major. Here's the link to the webpage: <a href="http://www.wooster.edu/music/double.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.wooster.edu/music/double.html</a></p>
<p>Just thought I'd throw this out there in case anyone is interested...</p>
<p>Wooster is one of several schools that does this. It sounds nice, I know, but in truth it's dangerous; you just don't have time to study anything as well as under the 5-year BA/BM plan.</p>
<p>binx--thanks! I've enabled my PM now.</p>
<p>Fiddlefrog, I agree. It would be interesting to find out how many kids actually do the BA/BM at Wooster...and if they end up doing it in four years. This was the first school without a conservatory that I saw offering a BA/BM. What other schools do this?</p>
<p>If a high school students can present AP credits, place through advanced levels of language requirements necessary for a degree, resolve NEVER to drop a course, do meticulous planning about how to dove-tail curriculum requirements for different majors, do a year or more of summer school, arrange scholarship aid to apply for overloads (many only give tuition grants for 16-18 hours per semester), and be creative when problems present themselves, there are many schools at which it is possible to do concurrent degrees in different majors from different (internal) colleges. It is not for the faint of heart! My daughter did it (in vocal performance and a general foreign language degree) and she had to do all of the above. [The hardest thing was back to back finals in two different languages one semester, where she went totally blank. Fortunately the second professor was VERY understanding and gave her time and help reorienting herself before she started the second exam.] We also observed that the issue of NEVER dropping a course is rather like the discipline of NEVER carrying a credit card balance, and she was unique in both aspects among her friends and acquaintances.</p>
<p>Northwestern University offers several 5 year double majors. BA/BM or SB/BM are possible with the School of Music and the College or Engineering School.</p>
<p>The problem with Wooster's program is that it's a 4-year program as opposed to 5. Indiana's BSOF has the same flaw. It's just too much to do well.</p>
<p>How about Barnard's B.A. in Music Performance? My understanding is that one gets a B.A. with essentially the music core of a regular B.M., then adds applied music lessons with Juilliard or MSM faculty and can combine the Music degree with another field. Does anyone know of someone who's been through this program?</p>
<p>That sounds nice. I believe that Stanford has something comparable, as does Sarah Lawrence, though S-ford lacks the conservatory connections.</p>