Does anyone know of a similar program to UCSD’s ICAM major? DS is having a hard time determining what he would like to major in college, but definitely wants to include music as part of his collegiate studies. He is leaning toward business and would like to be involved in the music industry. He would prefer to stay in California. We are aware that NYU and USC has music business programs. His stats are in the range or slight reach for all three of these schools.
Oberlin TIMARA? Mills? San Francisco Conservatory has a new program- look at their website. Would he consider UCSD? Their music at the grad level is excellent, and undergrad must benefit some…
ps I was responding to the title of the thread. Music business is offered at many schools.
What kind of music is your son interested in? If towards the more commercial side of the music business - that would direct him towards different programs, such as those at Drexel, Belmont, USC, NYU, Denver, Berklee, Northeastern and Syracuse. But if he’s interested in more experimental computer music, or electroacoustic music - then the programs we would suggest would be different ones.
His background is in classical music. Now that he’s older, he is interested in Jazz/Blues. To be honest, I don’t think he really knows what he wants to do, but he’s trying to be practical and saw that the UCSD ICAM program involved learning JAVA/computer programming combined with a music.
If he doesn’t know what he wants to do, but loves music and computer program - he should just go to a school where he can double major in the two - as BA’s. Later on he can narrow his choices as he’s clearer about which path he wants to take. There’s no need to specialize particularly in undergrad.
He does not have to decide on a major yet, unless he is applying to conservatory.
He can also go to college and major in computer science and do music classes, lessons and extracurriculars.
Brown’s music major has a technology strand.
Is he interested in electroacoustic or computer work with music or is he just thinking that picking up those skills via music will help him later? He can also pick up studio skills with internships, volunteering and jobs.
At the undergrad level, it really can work out to do what you want and love. With the cost of college (and living) today and the debt load some have, it is understandable that our kids worry. But some of these decisions can be made after undergrad, as Spirit Manager says.
There are actually post grad programs in computer science. I know a dancer who did one at Tufts after graduating with a degree in dance and she is now working in the CS field.
As for business, would he want straight business or music business? Some schools still don’t have undergrad business, and students major in economics or math, or sometimes just about anything and then work and then go to business school.
He can certainly double major or do a double degree but he can also get a bachelor’s in EITHER music (with programming classes and experience on the side) or computer science (with music continuing as described above).
Here is a great essay that helps music kids identify their goals: http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html
Thank you for the essay. I will definitely forward the link to him. What he really needs is a good college/university that would enable him to explore all the areas he’s interested in including music.
I think there are an awful lot of colleges that will allow him to do that. He doesn’t have to be practical yet either! I understand the impulse but thinking about that too much can actually impede opportunities. He can choose schools based on location, size, academics and “vibe” and see what happens 
If he wants a conservatory, that makes choices more complicated. He can look at U. of Puget Sound which has a BM program http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/departments-and-programs/undergraduate/music/for-prospective-students/programs-of-study/ and they have elective studies in music business http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/departments-and-programs/undergraduate/music/at-a-glance/degree-nondegree-programs/ (scroll down). It is one of the Colleges that Change LIves.
The Colleges that Change Lives website and fairs (and book by Loren Pope) may be a great resource for him. If you haven’t, try googling it
University of the Pacific also has a music school with a degree in music management or a minor in it. http://www.pacific.edu/Academics/Schools-and-Colleges/Conservatory-of-Music/Academics/Degrees-and-Programs.html
I have heard good things about Lewis and Clark and Mills. There are the Claremont colleges (Pomona, etc.) and of course California has excellent UC’s, and state colleges, some of which have excellent music schools. Herb Alpert in LA?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1914801-herb-alpert-foundation-to-donate-10-1-million-to-lacc-studies-for-music-majors-tuition-free.html#latest on Herb Alpert gift to LACC but also the Herb Alpert School at UCLA. Long Beach, Sonoma State and of course UCSD’s ICAM!!!
@compmom - just a note that Mills undergrad is a women only college. Otherwise I agree with you that he could choose most programs in California and be able to explore his interests. Lots of the state universities in California would provide what he’s looking for: Northridge, San Diego, Fullerton, San Francisco, Chico, Humboldt, San Jose, Sacramento to name a few! And then the UC’s - Irvine, UCLA, Santa Barbara, San Diego… In addition to UOP in CA, private colleges like Univ of Redlands, Occidental, and Chapman, in addition to the Claremont Colleges. Santa Clara Univ. The list goes on and on.
Wanting music/jazz/business & computer programming doesn’t really narrow the choices all that much.
Glad you caught that! And yes the choices aren’t narrow at all, it would seem 