I actually know a number of grads out of the school of music at the U of MN. I know a recent undergrad that went on to Boston Conservatory for grad. I know grad school graduates who are gainfully working in music in the twin cities with peers from around the country who’ve settled here. We are definitely looking at the U of MN too. That is very local to us. My kid could live at home and go there (not that he would want to - lol). It’s on my list to go over for a sample lesson this spring now that audition season is over. I do think performance and networking opportunities might be better in the cities.
I actually went to a show a few weeks ago that had 2 Lawrence singers, a St. Olaf singer, a Steinhardt singer, and a U of MN singer all side by side. LOL.
I don’t know if I would call the U of MN music not selective. It’s my understanding that the U of MN gets hundreds more pre-screening videos than are invited to audition in person. The U of MN grad we know that went on to Boston was a 33+ ACT kid and was an amazing musician that won a ton of awards in high school. I don’t think Madison does pre-screens so maybe they don’t get the applications the U of MN does?
Both my husband and I are grads of the college of science and engineering at the U of MN so we know a little too much about that school. I know a bunch of profs personally. I kind of feel like it’s underrated. The average ACT scores and faculty quality are fairly close to what is available at Madison for many programs. And both schools have honors options.
My kid will definitely be applying to some reach options, but I’m insisting on these state options too for sure to stay on the list!
@type1mom that’s actually good to know about Michigan. I think my kid would like Michigan and it would be a good academic fit for him too. I’m having a really hard time knowing where to draw lines.
@bridgenail that’s great information – taking Wisconsin off the list. My son hasn’t been terribly interested so why push it…
@MusakParent I did think “traitor” when I saw your interest in Madison. Why the heck would you go there when you have UMN and the arts community as a choice. You see I’m a gopher too. But some people like Madison. I’m a big supporter at looking at in-state options. And yes all music schools are selective but some more than others.
And just to be clear MN has a top collaborative piano dept. And choral conducting for grad school is very competitive. And the vocal programs for grad students at both MN and Madison are respected. Many of my D’s friends and my D auditioned at one or the other. So it was a general comment about the whole pool of students. No school is perfect. I have some more info on MN that I can PM tomorrow.
Also I don’t want to make anyone take a school off a list…but if it was of low interest I can live with that…I think…
@bridgenail ! Another golden gopher - Ski-U-Mah! One of my kid’s music teachers did grad school at the U too. I’d love more info if you have it as you are able. We live ridiculously close to the U and when we toured Macalester and the U my teen wondered why anyone would EVER chose those schools? What a lame location. So boring and common. Ha- hilarious teenager. I would be happy if he chose the U but he really wants to get out of dodge and spread his wings. But we’re definitely keeping it on the list. I actually think he could really click with the teacher recommended to him at the U so I’m crossing fingers that visit goes well. I suspect he would love the U if didn’t see the campus almost every day of the week. I really think the performing arts community here in the cities is fantastic.
University of Northern Iowa and University of Iowa are both well regarded - I know several Luther alumni who have gone to those schools for their MM.
Re U of MN: I applied to the U of MN when I was applying to colleges - I got in academically, but withdrew my application to the School of Music after I committed to Luther. Anyways, like U of Iowa and U of Northern Iowa, I know of several people from Luther who have gone to UMN to get their MMs in performance (two for vocal performance, one for viola performance), and my undergraduate viola professor got his DMA from there as well. I agree with @MusakParent that the performing arts community in the Twin Cities is amazing.
Also looking for a serious music performance degree (BM/BFA) with the ability for serious academic work in another field (likely in the humanities). Want to be within 5 hours or so of NY/NJ. Have a number of possibilities (Carnegie Mellon, Boston Univ., Rochester/Eastman) but want to add a few more. Would consider a pair of schools (e.g., Peabody/JHU) but I know these can be clunky. Also looking at some state schools. What do people think about Mason Gross at Rutgers? University of Maryland? Violin.
Bard Conservatory & College - all students in the conservatory are required to get a second degree in the college. Strong violin faculty. Great academics.
I appreciate the suggestion. Probably too much a small school in a small town for her taste.
If she’s willing to look a bit farther away, what about CIM/CWRU or Oberlin?
A data point: my daughter has a senior student this year who is academically inclined but wants to major in music performance in place where he can also be a serious academic student. He applied and was accepted to Yale, Eastman/Rochester, Oberlin College/Conservatory, BU, Bard College/Conservatory, NEC, Northwestern, and Peabody. She’s not sure which he will choose, but is betting on Yale. He’s a string player.
^^ also, feels kind of weird to be typing “has a student” when she was applying for schools what seemed like yesterday.
Thank you. And congratulations to your daughter! That’s a lot of wonderful choices. As for Yale- are there enough performance opportunities?
THANKS. Just visited both those places, along with Carnegie Mellon last week. First set of visits. CM was a hit. And all nice choices. Oberlin felt awfully small town for her taste (although a lovely school). Very much liked CIW/CWR although were told at CIW that only about 2 students per class do the joint program. Worried about that.
@glassharmonica did your daughter’s student apply to the new BA/MM program at Yale - and audition into the School of Music, as well? Or is it as it’s been in the past - just applying to Yale College, and then auditioning for lessons with a professor or grad student from the School of Music? I’m curious how the new program is working out as I think this is the first year they’ve offered it to freshmen? (I’m losing track of time!)
@vioklin, the Tufts/NEC dual degree would put your student in Medford and Boston. My D’s top choice throughout audition season but she eventually decided against it due to the two separate campuses. May be worth a look.
@vioklin there’s a mason gross open house on Saturday 4-21; my son is going and this might be a good time to check it out. Deets on their site. We’re also heading to Peabody for a tour this coming Thursday during his spring break.
@SpiritManager AFAIK, he applied EA to Yale College and will take lessons with Yale faculty (hopefully.) Most students I know who’ve gone on to Yale have studied with SOM faculty, not grad students, by audition. But I will ask and try to find out for certain.
Thanks. We’ll definitely look at Tufts/NEC when we are in Boston as well as BU. I understand your daughters hesitation with the two campus issue.
violkin, Harvard is closer by bus line to NEC, than Tufts and their double degree is BA/MM. Always worth trying.
glassharmonica, if your daughter’s student is super talented maybe he will study with a prof. but we were told that generally undergrads study with grad students. That may have changed. The new double degree program may also help.
We loved Oberlin. Even as city people we just really liked it. We spent 5 days there, twice, so got to know the community. Especially staying in a house that was part of a network run by local churches for visitors. Many in the town are welcoming (and educated), we saw professors dining with groups of students, and were impressed by the number of students going to performances to support peers. It may be an acquired taste for an energetic city kid though 
@compmom Thanks! Yes, we know of Harvard’s program - and the advantage of the much closer commute to NEC . She will probably give it a shot. But of course, it’s Harvard, so it’s a long shot. And thanks for the observations about Oberlin. This matches what I hear from its alums - both young and old. They loved the school. My kid is not a city kid, but wants out of our small city, so going somewhere smaller seems painful to her. The reality is that she’d probably love it if she ended up there. But I understand her desire for “bigger.”