<p>A student in one of my classes just got her SAT scores back, and they were pretty dismal (she says- she was crying at the time, so I didn't want to ask any details). Yes, she already took the ACT. No better.</p>
<p>She's looking for a vocal performance degree, but doesn't want to go to a conservatory for undergrad. I've looked through the "SAT optional" school list, but there are lots of schools I don't know about and I'm not familiar with the vocal departments. </p>
<p>So, does anyone have any suggestions for me to research? The basic criteria is this:
1) SAT optional
2) East coast(ish). She'll go a distance if the program is really excellent
3) Very strong vocal program and teacher, preferably with some opera study (this girl is really something special, vocally)
4) Part of a college/university (but she doesn't like Eastman)</p>
<p>Thank you for any help you can send my way!</p>
<p>So I’d suggest perusing that site and if a program that’s familiar to you is on that list come back and let the OP know.</p>
<p>The college where I work (Bard) offers a BA in voice, and a chance to work with some great people. It is in New York’s Hudson Valley and is test-optional.</p>
<p>Gettysburg and Susquehanna are SAT optional.
Many conservatories are as well.</p>
<p>While some of the well known music schools in colleges require SATs, the necessary numbers may not be as high as your friend fears they are. If she has generally good grades and will audition strongly, the SATs may not harm her as much as she thinks.</p>
<p>SUNY Potsdam, the home of the Crane School of Music just became test-optional as well. Some of the merit scholarships do require the test though.</p>
<p>N8Ma, I took a quick look at the Bard website for her. Is the vocal program strong?</p>
<p>Re: Crane- Yes, thank you. I suggested Crane to her. Nazareth and Hartwick are on the list, too. </p>
<p>I don’t want to miss a “hidden gem”, just because I haven’t heard of it before. And I know this won’t be the last time I run into this situation with a student!</p>
<p>Pageturner…I will jump in before N8ma has a chance to toot her own horn. Bard has an exceptionally strong and well regarded program.
Be sure that this student discusses the programs with her current voice teacher as well.</p>
<p>Musicamusica, thanks. I know her voice teacher pretty well, and we’re both trying to put this list together. The girl is pretty devastated since this is her third SAT try, and auditions are right around the corner.</p>
<p>Well, my D was not much of a test taker and did not do well by any stretch of the imagination (even after three tries). It did not stop her applying to schools with certain SAT admissions requirements and I have to say, she got into a few schools that surprised all of us. One of them even gave her an academic scholarship even though she fell substantially below the implied “cut off”. Sometimes a really good audition trumps the SAT. I’m not saying the SAT is not important. With music admissions there are many other variables and do not discount schools she may have considered before taking the test. If she is an exceptional talent, call the school.
And re my D:For what it’s worth, that was six years ago.</p>
<p>ALSO…she ended up graduating Summa Cum Laude and got into every academically rigorous grad school she applied to. (along with some substantial fellowships) So much for SATs.</p>
<p>As a parent, I’d like to send you a virtual hug of appreciation for being so concerned about your student. That’s the kind of concern every parent hopes teachers will show for our kids. Thank you.</p>
<p>Lawrence is SAT optional and has a fantastic conservatory in a college setting. But it’s in Appleton, WI, which could be a distance for your student.</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at Bard and having a fantastic experience. He is in the conservatory as well as the college - but I don’t really think for voice the difference would be that significant. I would have recommended looking into the school if N8Ma hadn’t first. (He’s a guy, btw.) PM Proud Dad - his daughter is studying voice at Bard, undergraduate.</p>
<p>I’m confused because I just looked at the Bard site and saw that its music school appears to have only a graduate level voice program. From the above postings, it appears that I’m not understanding something. Could someone set me straight? Does Bard have an undergraduate voice performance program? Here is the url I am looking at: [Bard</a> College Conservatory of Music | Faculty](<a href=“http://www.bard.edu/conservatory/faculty/]Bard”>http://www.bard.edu/conservatory/faculty/)</p>
<p>One can study voice as an undergraduate at Bard College - as a BA in music, (or even something else just studying voice in addition.) Lessons are considered one credit classes (or two) - there is no extra fee, as far as I can tell. The graduate program run by Dawn Upshaw is something else entirely - but undergrads have the benefit of that program because the grad students and their teachers are performing on campus often and there are open Master Classes. James Bagwell, the head of the music program in the college is a Choral conductor. N8Ma wrote about him on another thread. If you go to the website for the music program in the College there is a list of professors and adjuncts with links to their bios. I know it’s confusing, separating the music program in the college from that in the conservatory!</p>
<p>Some of the workshops listed on the college site [Academics</a> | Music](<a href=“http://www.bard.edu/academics/programs/programs.php?id=591248&pid=780:]Academics”>http://www.bard.edu/academics/programs/programs.php?id=591248&pid=780:) The Art of Collaboration, Bach Arias, Chinese Music Ensemble, Classical Guitar, Composition, Contemporary Electronics, Early Music Vocal Performance, Electronic Performance Ensemble, English and American Art Song, French Art Song, Improvisation, Musical Structure for Performers, Opera, Percussion Discussion, Production and Reproduction, Songwriting, 20th-Century Composition, and Voice and Vocal Repertoire for Singers and Pianists.</p>
<p>D2 is a non music major at Bard studying viola with one of the faculty there. Her lessons have been assigned various number of credits depending on her courseload that semester, with a high of 2 credits and a low of 0 so far. They’ve been very, very accommodating to her as a nonmajor. Definitely worth a look!</p>
<p>It’s great that you are helping this student. If you get the chance, though, ask what the scores are. I have found that some ideas of abysmal are very different from others. If she is talented, there are good music programs at universities that can pull her in even if the SAT scores are not what it would take for admission otherwise - especially if her GPA is strong.</p>
<p>I did ask yesterday They’re as low as I feared (not posting them in case someone figures out my secret identity). But because I have her in my class, I know that it is partly because the tests are timed. </p>
<p>Her GPA is pretty solid, and her teacher recommendations (mine included) will be excellent. It is very possible that her audition will get her in. She’s very talented.</p>
<p>So far, based on the info you folks have given, I’ve pointed her to:
Bard (asking her to look at this program seriously)
Gettysburg
Susquehanna</p>
<p>She told me she was already applying to Crane and Nazareth. According to a PM one of you excellent posters sent me, Hartt SOM is very flexible with SAT scores. She is also applying there.</p>
<p>If you have any more suggestions, please keep posting them. I know I will run into this situation again. Plus, someone else might need this information too!</p>