Question for Current Students at CCM MT only

<p>When I set out to audition for schools this year, CCM was my top choice. I really wanted the triple threat training they offer and their graduates are talented, well trained, and working all the time. However, when audition day came, I had the flu and my singing audition was pretty awful. I also really wasn’t prepared for the intensity of the dance audition.</p>

<p>Luckily, I was accepted to a few schools such as NYU MT, among a few other non-audition programs. However, I was rejected from a bunch of my top MT schools - Michigan, CMU, PSU, Syracuse, etc. I really think it was a result of me not having enough vocal/dance training.</p>

<p>My question for current students is - do you think your training at CCM was so great and so changing that I should consider training hard for a year in the city at NYU MT and re-auditioning as a freshman? Did you enjoy your experience at CCM and what did you feel were its strong and weak points? And last, if I’m going to be re-auditioning, how would you suggest I spend most of my time training?</p>

<p>Thank you so much!</p>

<p>I know this doesn’t answer your question, nor am I a current CCM student. However, you have an acceptance to a BFA in MT program that is a very good one that you can attend. Rather than focus on the programs you did not get into (considering it is not as if you were entirely closed out of BFA options), focus on the one you did get into and embrace it. I assume that if NYU was on your college list, then you were interested enough in the school to attend (or it should not have been on your list). In my view, going to college with the mindset from the very start that you hope to transfer is not a good idea. Go to your accepted school and give it a chance and forget the rejected schools. I bet you will love it. THEN, if you don’t, a year from now, then look into transferring. I have to tell you that transfer admissions into a BFA in MT program are even tougher odds than what you just went through. Way fewer spots open for transfers. Even if you did manage it, you MIGHT have to pay tuition for five years, instead of four. </p>

<p>I’m not knocking CCM. It is a fine school. However, you are very fortunate that you have been accepted into what is considered typically as one of the very well regarded BFA programs. Many would envy you. If I were you, I would focus on what you do have and not what you don’t, and even more so because what you do have is pretty darn good. I suggest moving on. The idea of transferring should only arise IF you do not like your college after giving it a try. It is not as if you NEED to attend CCM to get wonderful MT training. That can be had at NYU. The schools are different but both will offer you quality MT training.</p>

<p>Lastly, if you don’t go to NYU and take a year off and re-audition, there is no guarantee that you will be admitted to CCM (or the other schools you mentioned) and will have lost the opportunity you have been given at Tisch.</p>

<p>One more thing, you mentioned that you desired the “triple threat” training at CCM. Many BFA in MT programs offer “triple threat” training. Tisch is one that does, in fact, balance training in voice, dance, and acting. Many programs also do. The ones that tend not to are often BM in MT programs that emphasize voice over dance and acting, though offer all three.</p>

<p>Thanks for your support! I guess when your first choice doesn’t work out it can be discouraging, but the choices I have are equally great! Thanks again</p>

<p>@soozievt-you mentioned that many BM degrees do not prepare you to be a “triple threat”. Do you know if this is true of NYU Steinhardt? My D wants to get the “triple threat” training so that she can be a broadway performer and would like to get a graduate degree in music education (at some point). A BM in MT seemed like a better choice for that goal. In my research, only NYU and FSU offers a BM in MT so that she could get the training that she would need to accomplish both goals. U of Miami discontinued their BM in MT program. What is your opinion of these programs?</p>

<p>Hi 3daughters…</p>

<p>The context of my remarks back last spring are important. The original poster was lamenting that he/she would not receive triple threat training if he/she did not attend CCM, and my feeling is that most MT programs try to train in voice, acting, and dance and so that CCM is not unique in that regard. </p>

<p>I did mention that a BM in MT is a bit different than most BFA programs because many BFA programs attempt to train in voice, dance, and acting fairly equally (BUT there is variation even among BFA programs and so the best thing is to check the curriculums of each program closely) whereas many BM programs are heaviest on the voice and music training more than acting and dance, but they obviously also offer acting and dance training. The balance is just a bit different than most BFA programs. Again, it is important to check the curriculum and credits and electives carefully for specific schools. If your daughter wishes to focus a bit more on the music end, then a BM in a music school might make sense for her MT training, though I would not rule out BFA programs necessarily. I think NYU/Steinhardt is a great program. But the balance of the course requirements differs from, NYU/Tisch, for example. Steinhardt is known to train singers who act and dance and Tisch is thought to train actors who sing and dance. In any case, your D will get training in all three areas at Steinhardt but there is more emphasis on the voice and music piece of the training. FSU is well regarded and I think your D could get the training she wants there. If she really prefers a BM rather than a BFA, also look at Baldwin-Wallace and Oklahoma City University. I believe your D still could do a BFA in MT and eventually pursue music education in grad school anyway, but certainly try for the BM in MT programs too. Take a look at James Madison that also offers that option.</p>