<p>Montclair State University has introduced a Jazz Performance major this year. As a NJ resident, I would be delighted to pay in-state tuition for a performance program!! S (a Jr.) is leery of the new program and heard from a reliable source that the program will not be in optimum shape for at least 2 years. One of the major hurdles is that they are building a new School of Music. The University received an endowment from a local family. When complete, the school should be a showpiece but until then the music dept. is cramped for space and there are some staffing issues.<br>
Have any of your S's and D's enrolled in a new performance program? What are the pros and cons? Sounds like the situation might not be the best but there is something to be said for getting in on the ground floor. Less competitive, perhaps? We completed our college tours recently and S wants to apply to the same 6 schools as every other aspiring jazz guitarist. I feel like he needs to investigate all possibilities. Your thoughts??? ...</p>
<p>(mother of jazz guitar player, too, here)--I would make it a safety school, if that's what it is stat-wise. As the next year progresses you may have the chance to visit a couple of times, have a trial lesson with a guitar teacher and it might make a solid safe school. Will they have an actual guitar faculty the year your son would start? I found that not all jazz programs suit guitar players well.</p>
<p>One of the key issues in a start-up program that would concern me is the potential of not having enough like minded peers, particularly of equal or greater ability.</p>
<p>Bard is an example of a potentially very good conservatory program, yet there have been mixed reviews, and has had some issues attracting enough student talent to field a full orchestra. I believe they graduate the first class of performance majors this year.</p>
<p>It can take some time to shake out the bugs. It's akin to buying a car the first model year. Many are impressed with the style, features or price, but it can be wise to wait a year or three to let some history develop before committing.</p>
<p>I would not rule it out, but would be extremely cautious.</p>
<p>Just want to add that it IS competitive for jazz guitar players. We saw programs accepting anywhere between 4 and 10 guitar players this year. Two years ago, MSM took 1!! So, it's important to have a reliable safe choice that you know he would be happy in.</p>
<p>If you are looking in that neck of the woods, have you also checked out William Paterson? The campus is not as pretty as Montclair State, but the jazz department there is very good and the costs are in the same ballpark for instate students. I know a couple of people who studied there, one on guitar and one on voice and both are quite good.</p>
<p>Montclair has named Stephen Benson as their jazz guitar teacher. I do not anything about him beyond what his bio says on the school web site. I have performed with one of their classical guitar teachers and he is very good. Montclair State has some excellent music faculty members, many who teach in the city at better known schools. I would not rule it out just because the jazz department is new and like the idea of making it a safety if that works academically and musically.</p>
<p>I think it depends on the level of the player.</p>
<p>For an accomplished player, who has done pre-college jazz, summer programs, gigged around a lot, a new program such as one you describe, would most likely not be optimal or high enough level-wise. New programs tend to attract more novice players, and it takes a good long time for the reputation of the program to be well established. and to lure the good players.</p>
<p>Even at Northwestern, a well established music school for classical, the jazz program (which was defunct, and is apparently now back in operation) will take some time to get off the ground and gain a reputation as a place for serious young jazz musicians to study.</p>
<p>BassDad's advice about Wm Patterson is good, because many of those jazz teachers also teach at the major NY conservatories, so it is a pretty good bang for the buck too.</p>
<p>Also important regarding the William Patterson jazz faculity, is that virtually all of them do gigs and/or have great contacts in NYC.</p>
<p>Jazzzmomm, you are on the mark. After visiting 7 metropolitan area schools, I realized just how competitive the programs are, particularly jazz guitar. This is not for the faint of heart! I should mention that the Admissions Director at The New School commented that there is a shortage of Jazz trombonists! (Trombonists, take note!) Although I believe that my S is a strong candidate for jazz guitar, you never know. The message from all of the schools is that they turn away many qualified applicants (I'm sure this is not a news flash for anyone on this forum!) </p>
<p>I am going to encourage my son to visit Montclair, take a lesson and find out firsthand what the program will be like for Sept. '09. S is reluctant to investigate this program and has mentioned that he would rather take a gap year if he does not get into his choice schools. Until S meets the guitar teacher at Montclair and asks specific questions about the program he cannot make an informed decision. If S were to start at Montclair and decide to transfer, would other schools accept the credits? Do credits transfer easily? I think that I am getting a bit ahead of myself but I need the comfort of having a "plan B" in place. </p>
<p>Violadad, your point about the level and quality of peers is also right on. I think that my son assumes that the Montclair might not attract the most accomplished students. He is very serious and committed to performance and it is important to him that others in the program have the same level of commitment and talent. With so many kids applying for so few openings overall I think that there is enough talent to go around and that the program has potential. Nevertheless, we will proceed with caution!</p>
<p>We did look at William Paterson. S is definitely interested in the program.</p>
<p>"After visiting 7 metropolitan area schools, I realized just how competitive the programs are, particularly jazz guitar."</p>
<p>It doesn't stop there. My son was at clinic given by Joshua Redman last week. A student combo played for him to start things off. When they finished, as I understand it, he laughed and said something along the lines of: "No bass solo, huh?" (then to the Bass player) "Don't worry. You'll get them back. After graduation, you'll be the only one with a job."</p>
<p>Hey there, my name is Eric and I got accepted there. I play drums, been drumming since the 6th grade. I applied to CalArts, William Paterson, New School, and UMiami. All of which have EXCELLENT music programs, however they are the most competitive. </p>
<p>I applied to Montclair after a friend of mine gave me the chance to talk to Chuck Bumcrott, who works at the Montclair music department. He was nice, I applied and then auditioned a few weeks ago. I applied there only after being rejected by all my other colleges. </p>
<p>When I auditioned, I met Jeff Kunkel, who is the mastermind behind the program. He said only about 3-5 drummers are being accepted and they are modeling their program after William Paterson's. He also said that I, as a student, will have a lot say as to what I want out of the program. He was nice, and everyone I met there really want this program to take off. Yes, it's a little risky, but I feel it's worth it. The staff there is pretty excited to get this program going. </p>
<p>From a student standpoint, NYC is so close, there's a train station literally across the street from the University, and you have all of Montclair to play as well. The city is literally at your door step, which is great. You can go into the city every weekend, or take lessons with some of the big names drummers that reside in NYC, Hoboken, or Jersey City too. </p>
<p>And the building I hear is supposed to open in 2009, so it'll be a little hectic the first semester, but it won't be for long. </p>
<p>In the end, if the program leaves me unsatisfied, the staff there has some good connections with William Paterson, and if you have you stuff together (playing wise) you could transfer in there. Willy P has one of the most acclaimed Jazz programs in the nation. </p>
<p>I have high hopes about this program, and the music department has been getting a lot of great reviews. I think the Jazz Studies program is an excellent addition to the University.</p>
<p>Wow, that's great to hear from someone who is there. That's the best kind of information. Good luck next Fall, and enjoy!</p>
<p>Eric, sounds to me like you are going to make the best of your experience at Montclair! You have a great attitude and will surely maximize the opportunities that are possible with a new program. Clearly, for you, the potential benefits outweigh the risks! Yes, if things don't work out you can consider transferring, and that can happen to anyone. In the meantime, you will be doing what you love to do! I feel that with all of the research and preparation that kids do to find the best fit in a school, it is still a &$#*shoot! S and I attended a tour of the New School and talked with a M whose S was looking to transfer OUT of Temple's jazz program -- go figure! Temple is on my son's short list so he was floored! You never know ...</p>
<p>Best of luck to you Eric!</p>
<p>Montclair State's music program is top-notch and the level of student performance is as well. You should definitely check it out for yourself.</p>