<p>We also have had the experience of starting with a fairly long list of possible schools that has ended up being shorter (although I would not say it is “short”, by non-music major–or non-CC–standards). We weeded schools off the list if: </p>
<p>A. We were unable to contact or set up a lesson with the faculty member S would be studying with. In a few cases (Peabody, Northwestern–at least at the time we were initially looking) it became obvious that the jazz trumpet instructor is “non-resident”, which made it almost impossible to set up a sample lesson. Also, S feels he wouldn’t get the best possible experience from that kind of situation (although Oberlin is an exception to that, but more on that later). Other people have said this, but I’ll say it again–your musician really needs to think about the reality of going to a school that boasts a “name” faculty member who is still actively involved in a performance career. They may really only be on campus a few times a year for lessons. And that may be OK, but find that out before you commit to a school.</p>
<p>B. We visited the school and S got a bad vibe, or didn’t like the school in general. Northwestern left him cold. Bard felt like “a farm” to him (he’s an urban kid and Bard is kind of remotely located). But this is why I insisted we visit several schools, so that was OK.</p>
<p>C. We had several schools on the initial list that we ended up weeding because they were the wrong “kind” of school for S. S decided fairly early on that he wasn’t really interested in a large university, even if the music school was good and he could double-major. So no Indiana, UNT, Rutgers. He can always go to a big school for grad school (which is definitely on the agenda if he’s going the physics route). </p>
<p>IMO it’s very important to visit. My S fell in love with Oberlin when we first visited the campus, even tho it’s in the middle of nowhere (by Chicago standards) and the jazz trumpet faculty situation seems a little unsettled at the moment. But he seems to feel that the rest of the jazz program is strong and challenging enough to make up for that. And he can major in physics as well (assuming he’s accepted, of course :P). We also visited Reed (on a whim, we were in Portland to visit Lewis and Clark), and he really connected with the academic vibe there and they have a top-notch physics program, even though the music isn’t as strong as a conservatory program would be. A visit can also help you cut through the school’s marketing information to the reality of things. S was initially interested in the University of Chicago, but a frank discussion with staff in the music department there helped him realize that it would be a better choice for grad school.</p>
<p>It’s also important to have a lesson, and to shadow a class or two. S had a great lesson with John Daniels at Lawrence, which put it high on the list as well. Although he hasn’t connected with the jazz trumpet guy at Oberlin, he’s shadowed an improvisation class and the jazz band practice session and had good experiences there. </p>
<p>IMO the way the school and the faculty handle these requests for sample lessons and pre-application contact says something about the school. All Peabody could tell us about the jazz trumpet instructor was that he “didn’t live in Maryland”. That is a red flag, IMO. We’re hoping if S passes the prescreens that he can have lessons at NEC and Oberlin during the audition process. </p>
<p>He’s also applied to a couple of schools that are safeties (even musically, he’s coming from a conservatory high school and unless he really blows the audition he should be fine). These are small liberal arts colleges with decent-to-good music programs. He’s already been accepted to one (academically, he’ll audition for the music department in January), and has applied and will audition for the second later in January. The first school is the one which employs me, so I both have a good idea of what the music department is like and he could attend tuition-free, which makes it a great safety. The second is an in-state regionally known school with a decent jazz program in the “building stages”. </p>
<p>As an aside, I sometimes feel that these discussions here on CC (and not just in the music forum) focus too exclusively on the conservatories and the “name” schools. There’s a good possibility that a strong music student can have a great, challenging, career-building experience at a smaller, non-name school. The music department at the school where I work is very connected to the Chicago jazz scene, and students do go on to careers as professional musicians. Even though it’s not Julliard :P. So my advice would be to seek out a couple of these schools as well. </p>
<p>S is ending up applying to 9 schools (including Oberlin twice). There’s a range of schools, from two dual-degree schools (Oberlin and Lawrence), one stand-alone conservatory (NEC) and it’s dual-degree partner school (Tufts), two excellent liberal arts colleges with decent music programs (Reed and Vassar), one mid-size university with a school of music (DePaul), one small regional university with the “building” jazz program (Bradley), and his “safety” (Elmhurst). </p>
<p>We just sat down last week and figured the audition schedule, and frankly I’m very glad he’s not applying to more. The other consideration here is that S wants to do both music and physics, and he is aiming at schools where he (hopefully) won’t have to pick one or the other. </p>
<p>Anyway, that’s my 2 cents, FWIW. This has been an almost three-year process for us, and I can’t wait til it’s over with.</p>
And my next child going through this process is a trombone player!