<p>Just adding an explanation why there were only one or two schools our daughter felt she could be happy at for her music…Many BM programs required that composition majors also audition for an instrument, and playing that instrument was part of their BM program. The problem, for our daughter, which will not apply to your son, was that they did not allow classical guitar as an instrument. At our state university, which has a fine BM program, they explained that they did not have the budget for classical guitar teachers. BU’s conservatory also did not accept guitar. Other schools, like Curtis or Bard, did not have guitar teachers available. Middlebury very kindly offered to try to find one, before they even knew anything about her, which was very nice. We have no idea why classical guitar was excluded from some of these programs, but it was a significant factor in narrowing her choices. She could not even apply to many of them.</p>
<p>The college she is attending is close to her guitar teacher, and also allows for private work outside of school.</p>
<p>I agree with those who said a summer music festival might be a great idea (an auditioned one). One thing I will add is that you need to get feedback on the summer programs, because even if they claim things like “4 hours of expected practice” a day, not every program vigorously enforces that, and in some music festivals the kids tend to treat it like a summer camp, rather then a rigorous musical experience. On the other hand, other festivals are quite serious, and try to enforce the practicing (though unless they listened at doors, to hear if the student was actually playing, the kid could just as well be in there texting or playing a video game…</p>
<p>I am behind on this thread, but want to add that my dd is looking closely at piano accompaniment/collaboration BM degrees as a way to continue playing her beloved piano, but allow time for her other interests. . . not all performance degrees are for soloists.</p>
<p>Suzukimom,the collaboration focus is a wonderful option. BUT… the collaboration grad students we know practice just as much, if not more, than the performance degree students. I had a collaborative piano MM student stay with us a few weeks ago to do auditions here in Los Angeles. She not only had to learn the accompaniment for the audition, but had to learn (and be able to sing) the operatic roles that she would accompany. The singing portion of the audition was to make sure she understood the proper diction and that she knew the part. I would imagine that accompaniment for instrumental performers would be equally challenging. (though I have been wrong before! ) Maybe someone with direct experience with this focus might want to chime in.</p>
) Maybe someone with direct experience with this focus might want to chime in.</p>