Shenandoah VS Manhattan School of Music

D trying to decide between the two for MT, any opinions?

Has she been to both schools? I couldn’t speak to the programs at each, but Shenandoah is in a rural area about 90 minutes from DC. It’s a small school with a small town around it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking it, but it’s a such a very different thing than being in NYC both in college environment and opportunities that it would be nice to know more about what you’re considering with each.

They both seem like excellent programs but it really depends on what is important to your daughter because they couldn’t be in much different settings. Shenendoah is in a tiny, rural town in Virginia (a very charming town) and is part of a traditional college campus while MSM is a completely urban campus in the heart of NYC. MSM is a very new program while Shenendoah is more established with working alumni and a solid reputation.Is your D involved in the student groups on Facebook for either program? She might want to seek out feedback from students currently in each of those programs and certainly a visit to each seems in order.

Thank you for your responses, yes, she has visited both schools. I agree that the two locations are complete opposites. I think her concern is which would provide better acting training, she thinks of herself as an actor who sings. She is on FB pages with new students. NYC is a huge attraction but don’t want to sacrifice training for location.

Shenendoah’s acting training is heavily Meisner based. In fact, Larry Silverberg, who is considered one of the foremost experts on Meisner, having studied under him and wrote a book about his methods, is on the Shenendoah faculty. So if acting training is important you might have your D reveiw the Meisner method and see if it appeals to her. My D is a big fan of Meisner’s methods. Also, you might want to ask MSM what type of training they offer.

The MSM program being new does have the disadvantage of being hard to evaluate. With so much nuance of determining the best training, we’ve been coming at this more from the best learning environment prospective. My D really likes Shenandoah personally because she wanted a small school, friendly environment, personal attention, and a lower-key vibe. The rural area appeals to her more than the city for college. It’s great to look at the curriculum, but with two competitively auditioning schools at probably the same level but very different experiences, the individual fit and how your D imagines her best college life may be more important.

I would say it comes down to what your daughter is looking for in her college experience. My daughter Is a freshman at MSM and she loves it but it is all about MT and being in New York. There are very few other non music related activities at the school. If your daughter wants sororities and sports teams and lots of organized social activities and meeting a lot of non MT people and taking a lot of non MT classes, she should choose Shenandoah. If she wants to be exposed to accomplished Broadway actors, choreographers, musical directors and make-up artists on an almost daily basis and have ample opportunities to see Broadway and off-Broadway shows while living in an awesome neighborhood in one of the greatest cities in the world, she should pick MSM. I have nothing to compare the training to, but I know my daughter is working hard and not just being told how great she is. Expectations are set high. There is a lot of unknown because this is the first year of the program but I can tell you that freshmen will not perform in musicals. The freshman have showcases, one in the winter, one in the spring. They are discouraged from auditioning for professional work until they are further along in their training. MSM is trying to build a MT reputation and they want their students to be “ready” before they are “out there”. I would say the training is serious.

Thanks @rocsocks She really does not care about sports or sororities at all and would love to be surrounded by people who are as passionate about theater as she is.

Ouch @rocsocks - I’m not sure that’s an accurate representation of Shenandoah at all. After all, the mt program is part of the conservatory with very few non-mt classes, no Greek life on campus (other than some honor society/service types), it also has amazing faculty with impressive Broadway credits, everyone involved is extremely passionate about mt and they don’t sit around and tell everyone how great they are without cause as far as we’ve seen. @VoiceTeacher is currently one of the most highly regarded voice instructors in the country and he’s chosen to stay at Shenandoah over numerous other offers (or so I’ve heard) and they have an established history as a top notch training program. No, they are not in Manhattan, but there is also a considerable price savings to be had there. They have a highly regarded summer stock program on campus and their graduates are working. I’m glad your d is happy with her choice, but I’m not sure the curriculums or opportunities are as far apart as you’ve suggested.

I know nothing about either program directly, but I will add that as a New Yorker, the Manhattan School of Music has a very excellent reputation. For many years it has been known as a place where talented musicians and vocalists study–from the very young though to those in graduate school.

So for me, if ever there was a “new” program to take a risk on–it would be MSM. And I think their already established networking and reputation will help their graduates–especially in NYC.

Thanks @ourturn2! I actually tell students that if they want sororities, sports, and lots of liberal arts courses, we are not the school for them. SU students take six non-conservatory classes (18 credits). Otherwise, they spend all of their time in the conservatory. @teatromama - your D has a tough decision to make. If you have any questions, please DM me.

~VT

My son is in the MT program at MSM and I have to agree with @rocsocks , the program seems to be off to a great start. My son loves everything about it. Though they don’t have the normal college scene, he really loves being surrounded by people passionate about their music. The school has a such a cool vibe with so many musicians of different ages and from so many different countries / backgrounds.

Take a look at the faculty. Their experience and connections are fantastic and the head of the program, Luis Perez is the best! My daughter was an MT at Roosevelt before he left to start this program and we have complete trust in him to do right by this program. I think the most important thing is to find a place where your daughter feels like she fits. Both of my kids knew in their hearts that they belonged in their respecfive places. Both schools can give great training but the place that feels the best may be what she needs to make the most of every opportunity.

Shenandoah is an excellent school for acting training for MT. My daughter is developing in leaps and bounds and is very challenged and enthusiastic about the training. The faculty are very engaged and personable while disciplined and professional. Winchester is actually not as small as others make it sound - a nice safe yet progressive and artsy town in the D.C. Regional theater market . The dance and vocal training are also excellent. A freshman girl had the lead in Fall musical. The Conservatory kids are close knit and welcoming. Lots of on campus and off campus opportunities for performing. One practical thought, having had a son in college near MSM, is no car needed. By her junior or maybe sophomore year she’ll probably “need” wheels at Shenandoah - as a freshman her friends are very helpful with giving rides and helping out but she is already making a strong argument for a car … feel free to reach out. We were in the same boat last year at this time. Good luck!

We are a year out from the process and did not look at either school till after the fact,not on purpose but we were late to the “business” and racing to find programs. I have looked after the fact and they both look like fantastic programs. It is an odd twosome to compare in my mind:). I think the only way to know would be to visit and sense the student vibe.

If you were to judge the passion of the students by the passion of the parents posting on CC, at any school you will be surrounded by passionate theatre lovers!!!

I can totally see my daughter struggling to choose between two such different programs. I totally think this is a gut check decision. Then you have to not spend the next 4 years second guessing.

Good luck @teatromama it sounds like your daughter has a great 4 years ahead of her no matter where she goes.

Thank you all for your input!