<p>Sorry for the spastic posts but I'm really trying to get peoples opinions and views on certain schools before I take the hours and hours for me to visit them! As you may know within the next 2 years I'm going to be visiting and apply to grad schools for Jazz performance. I have picked out what I think are 5 to 7 great grad programs to look into. Out of all of them the two that seems to have the most prestige as well the most expensive (40,000 a year YIKES!) are Manhattan School of Music and New England Conservatory.</p>
<p>Right of the bat I've noticed some differences: one is in NYC the Jazz capital of the world while one is in Boston which I've heard boasts a great music scene in general, especially with the young college city crowd..and berklee. MSM seems to be more strict on what you take while NEC curriculum seems more open ended. Both seem to have excellent facilities, faculty and alumni!</p>
<p>Could anyone tell me their opinions on either conservatory? Does one carry more weight or trumps each other in different ways? Does one hand out better scholarships? Does one have more varied performance ensembles? Does one cater more to small ensemble playing or big band?..Does one have better connections to reach out to?</p>
<p>I'm looking to go with the program that has as many playing performances as possible ex:lots of small group playing but leaning towards more creative modern jazz/music in general. I also don't want to be too stifled by the academic theory work which I realize is very important but I want time to practice my ass off on my primary instrument as well! (I've heard MSM tends to care more about academics than performance). Anyways I hope you guys can help me out with these two schools, because I most likely wont be applying to both since theyre so expensive. Thanks!</p>
<p>If money is an issue then you should apply to both so as to increase the number of offers possible. You should also apply to the University of North Texas whose graduate jazz program is world class and is cheap in comparison even for an out of state student. In addition, there is no shying away from theory in an MM program. If you want a more pure performance aspect, look into performance certificates at the various schools.</p>
<p>bartok- trust me I know all about North texas thats definitely on my list as well! I have multiple state schools and non conservatories on my list as well…(purchase, cuny queens, city college of NY)…but I was just curious about these two schools in general!</p>
<p>Sometimes you can learn a lot by looking at the audition/application requirements. I would check them out for the all the schools you are interested in. For example, I see that for MSM, once a Masters applicant passes the prescreen, they are required to take a music theory exam. I don’t see the same requirement for NEC. However, I think in general, a strong theory background would certainly enhance your improvisational skills.</p>
<p>By reputation and from a little I have seen myself, MSM tends to have a very strong Jazz program from the pre college on up. I don’t know much about NEC’s program, but one thing to consider is being in NYC, the one thing working musicians in almost all genres tell my son is if you want to get into the NYC music scene (and surrounding areas), it is a big advantage to go to school in the NYC area, for making contacts and connections that are part of the lifeblood of working musicians. That doesn’t mean you should not go to NEC or UNT or some other program, because if it is going to cost you an arm and a leg at MSM, that advantage may not be worth being burdened with loans and such, it is always a sum of plusses and minuses.</p>
<p>Great points all of you! I’m in the process to talking to former students at UNT, NEC, CUNY city college, QUeens college and evenutally MSM…I agree it helps to be in the hub of music scenes (NYC, LA, Nashville even Austin) and youre right that the majority of musicians that are gigging making careers come from connections in schools. I just feel like the time of going to “JAM” sessions aka waiting hours and hours to solo over two choruses and getting gigs is over…everything is in schools…it sucks but its true, thats why you see people getting discovered all the time from conservatories because they have the benefit of knowing well known professors or guest artists. NOt to say they arent talented 9 times out of 10 they are… but I’ve seen people with no names in major cities and small towns who are just as talented if not more but because they arent in school (high school art programs, great universities/conservatories) they dont have the connections…its quite sad.</p>
<p>But once again all of you make WONDERFUL points so thank you! Keep em coming.</p>
<p>djalabingo - Go to College Navigator [College</a> Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics](<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/]College”>College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics) and search each school, look under Financial Aid tab. It discloses there how much scholarship money the institution gave out the previous year total and also gives the average amount per student, etc. Looks like MSM may give a little more scholarship $ than NEC overall. </p>
<p>My son is applying to both schools for jazz trumpet for fall 2013 (undergrad), and his trumpet teacher this week (what a coincidence!) encouraged him to add MSM to his list b/c according to him of the higher chance of more scholarship $ vs NEC. </p>
<p>Of course you probably know all too well that there are also so many other variables that can affect that – no. of slots open for your instrument, how well audition goes, funding changes, etc. On the NEC side though I seem to hear consistently that it’s the premiere learning environment for jazz from current students and teachers “in the know”. I second what Bartokrules suggested – if you can swing the extra expense for application fee/travel expenses for both auditions, go for it and increase your chances for $ from both.</p>
<p>jztrma,
I don’t know about financial stuff for graduate school, but I do know that in our case NEC was much more generous with financial aid/merit money then MSM. Now some of that could of been my son’s instrument. I know that the kid who was my son’s major competitor in his instrument these last few years and is better than my son wanted to go to MSM. So maybe MSM gave him all the $$$. </p>
<p>If you are looking for good financial aid deals than I would add Eastman to your list. First the living expenses are VERY CHEAP. But also Eastman gives great financial aide. It is in Rochester, which for many Jazz kids is a negative. But as my son’s teacher told him if he went there he would need to seek out the Elders and play with them. And if he did he would be in for a real treat. </p>
<p>The other thing to take into account is living expenses. Living in New York is EXPENSIVE. Living in Boston is not cheap either, but because of the density of students it is not nearly as expensive as living in New York.</p>
<p>Youre are very right about NY AND Boston being much more expensive than Rochester, I am from there. Eastman is a great school I’m not knocking it at all, I’ve seen the caliber of players that come out of there, its impressive. The only fault I’ve seen with eastman so far besides it’s not a central hub for Jazz players is that when I do see students or faculty play they seem to be stuck in a certain time era, which is exactly I don’t want in a Jazz program. I want the the full spectrum, I want to know the history and appreciate it but I also want a faculty/curriculum thats “in the know” for whats happening now BUT also embracing it…because alot of Jazz heads aren’t and I find that sad.</p>
<p>That’s a huge reason I think New york is a good idea (if i can afford it). Everything culturally is there as well as the forefront of Jazz and sometimes just music/technology in general. Same thing with Boston, I think that city can be a little more safe and lenient musically and will give me a chance to grow with like minded students (seeing how It’s a college city) and get my “stuff” together before I try and make it to NYC…maybe I’ll just get lucky in boston too, seeing how berklee is right there! :)</p>
<p>I’m not sure if my reasoning makes sense but thats whats going on in my head as of now haha</p>
<p>I’ve been looking into William Paterson University as well but for music business because I heard their program is top notch! Their Jazz program seems legit too!</p>