<p>Neither Northwestern or Carnegie Mellon are hot beds of jazz, let alone the contemporary/ popular genres. The Northwestern jazz program has been in flux for a number of years; both programs are rooted in the tradition of classical performance. And while CMU had one of the few bagpipe performance majors in the US a few years back, trying to carve a musical niche within a program not geared to your goals, aspirations and performance specialty is not the smartest path.</p>
<p>Development as a musician, especially one aspiring to a professional level/potential career is a multi-faceted puzzle, but a few of the major factors are finding instructor(s)/mentor(s) that can get you to the next level, a group of equal or greater talented musical peers, performance and collaborative playing opportunities and a general body of peer musicians (students and faculty) of “like minds”. </p>
<p>As for the effect of audition versus grades, this will vary greatly by institution. The straight conservatories place little (if any) focus on grades or stats; conservatory level programs attached or within universities and colleges will consider both, and while the audition is what will determine if you are accepted musically, the academics will determine if you meet the admission bar for the parent university. At some, a strong audition may override academic weakness, whereas at others (like Northwestern) a top audition candidate with stats below the minimum most likely will not be admitted. The amount of “flex and give” is institution (and often instrument) specific. There are programs like Oberlin, Eastman where you can be admitted and matriculate at the conservatory, yet not be admitted at the college. You need to research EACH school. There is no one answer.</p>
<p>If you are considering an audition based admission, I strongly urge you to ask a moderator to move your thread here [Music</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/]Music”>Music Major - College Confidential Forums). There are nuances and caveats to music based admissions beyond the scope of knowledge of most of the contributors to the search and selection and admission forums. Your best bet for accurate and knowledgeable responses for the performance and creative disciplines lie within the dedicated subforums. If nothing else, read this <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html</a></p>
<p>(Undergrad) performance certificates are typically three year programs encompassing the BM curriculum without the academic general education requirements. In a nutshell, music theory/history, aural skills, piano/keyboard basics, applied instrument instruction and studio classes, and performance requirements for large, small and collaborative ensemble work in addition to a culminating recital(s). These can be viable alternatives for some. Most of the conservatory level music programs offer an undergrad performance certificate, but you’d have to dig deep to find one with a contemporary focus. Be extremely wary of for profit offerings such as Musician’s Institute, Full Sail in comparing what is out there at the typical not for profit educational institution.</p>