Pop rock

College Majors Music Major
1

Hi,
Are there colleges especially hospitable to students interested in pop rock singing, instruments, film score composition, and song writing?
Either as a minor, concentration, or just through structured clubs?
Just curious :slight_smile: because we have plenty of Musical Theater and Classical suggestions but what about “contemporary radio” styles?
Thanks to all.

2

Look at Berklee, USC (Thornton), Belmont.

3

Thanks :slight_smile:

What about the colleges with a BA in music, do they have side concentrations in pop/rock song writing?

4

Berklee comes to mind first, Thornto, Belmont. Also maybe Miami Frost, Columbia College Chicago.

You can consider schools like Bennington, which has independent and interdisciplinary work and field work term.

Look at music department sites and find course listings. Many schools will have a BA in music that includes courses in pop/rock, usually history of but there will be some with writing.

I know that a school like Tufts allows some composition in those genres, in composition classes, and even Harvard is revamping curriculum for music majors to include more diverse genres.

Pick some schools you like, can get into and can pay for, and then check the websites out.

And also think about location because you can continue music regardless of major and maybe do gigs.

5

Thanks!
An issue is that a lot of these are very expensive. Any college that “meets need”?
What about if we expand to college clubs and off campus opportunities?

6

I left out film scoring. Just reread your post.

Many state schools will have facilities for studio production, music technology, that kind of thing. Look at UMass Lowell for instance. If you have some music already done, or your academics are excellent, you may be able to get merit aid at privates. Check out CUNY’s too.

Will be back later and hope others are too.

7

I’m pretty sure USC does. Berklee will if they want you.

Most school websites have a tool that will estimate what your net cost of attendance will be. We used them for every school that offered one and they were surprisingly accurate. My suggestion is not to assume finances and use those net price calculator tools.

8

You might also want to investigate Loyola New Orleans (competitive) which offers popular/commercial music and has a film program. Also check Univ Colorado Denver - similar programs, but a state school, not private, so funding options are harder. We didn’t visit Univ Memphis, but I think one parent here has a child attending there for popular/commercial music. These are other options that are not quite as costly.

9

Thank you:)