<p>I’m not sure if I’m going to major in music or not. I’ve been playing the cello for 5 years and I am not the bet, but pretty darn close. I’m much better at piano, which I’ve played for 12 years at 16 years of age. I’ve won A LOT (I mean just an overwhelming amount) of competitions. But I got through with little to no practice since I have a natural ability to memorize music and practice efficiently. Right now I just played Prokofiev’s 3rd piano concerto, just the first movement, with the BSO. My county orchestra did a side by side. A very popular Juilliard professor told me that at my current level, I could audition into Eastman Conservatory or Oberlin with a full ride. However, I also have a 4.0 gpa with all advanced and AP classes. I like music, but I’m not sure if that’s my true passion or not. What should I do?</p>
<p>It’s great that you are talented enough to win a lot of competitions without much practice, but the best advice is that you should study whatever your true passion is. Go to a program where you can study music at a high level on the side-- maybe the Columbia/Juilliard exchange, which means that you are essentially a Columbia student who takes lessons at Juilliard. Or go to Oberlin and double-major in the conservatory and college (take advantage of that full-ride, if it materializes.) The truth is that talent is not a scarce commodity at top conservatories. If you don’t have passion and drive to match your talent, you won’t do well, and why throw yourself into a field that is not your true passion? If music were your passion you would know that by now. I think that it’s a particular kind of curse to be naturally gifted at something that’s not your passion. Better to work harder at something you love that does not come as easily. You will feel better rewarded by your successes, and will be a happier, more fulfilled person.</p>
<p>If you’re looking for a college/university that is strong both academically and in music, you should consider the University of Miami Frost School of Music. It is like the best of both worlds!</p>
<p>D, who is a jazz vocalist (also pianist, composer, arranger and choir director), looked at various program in jazz voice, popular music or music business, including: CSU-Long Beach - Bob Cole, USC-Thornton, UNT, Indiana-Jacobs, Miami-Frost, CUNY-CCNY, New School - Jazz, Berklee, NEC. As well as some Ivy Leagues in Boston/NY area. I would be happy to respond to questions about the programs and our experience if I can.</p>
<p>Another school to consider would be Saginaw Valley State University. It has great professors who are active in their fields and has great class sizes. All classes are taught by professors too.</p>
<p>Hi! Random question…does any one know who teaches flute performance at Aaron Copland ? It says a lot of names but some of them are listed as adjunct and assistant adjunct professors, and Keith Underwood’s name is on there but it’s unclickable 
.
Does Tara O’Connor teach all of the grad students? Do the other two, Renee Siebert and Judith Mendenhall, teach the masters students? Also, does Keith Underwood still teach there?</p>
<p>andreaflute, while it is possible that someone on this forum will know the answer, your best bet might be to call the school and ask.</p>
<p>Ok. That sounds like a good idea.</p>
<p>I have a question. What is good to put in an essay for an application for music graduate school?</p>
<p>Cal State Long Beach</p>
A music teacher pal of mine (who now teaches at Rochester Institute of Technology) just posted this on Facebook. It is a wonderful list of music colleges that might get overlooked.
http://musicschoolcentral.com/top-10-hidden-gem-music-schools-us/
Hello! I was just accepted to BW’s Music Program in VP and was curious if anyone knows anything about the music program there. It will be hard choosing between music theater somewhere else or vocal performance at BW. Any info or insight would help! Thank you.
Destiny95 check out the Forum for 2015 Music School Acceptances. Lots of very informed people in that thread. This is a very old thread.
From the vast number of responses, I expect these were mentioned at some point, but I’m not about to go through all 700 replies to check. Lawrence, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Emory and Carnegie Mellon are all very flexible programs with great support for dual major/dual degree students.
What do you think about Tufts BA in history with ability to cross register at NEC for dual emphasis?
Also what is the quality of the classical vocal department at the Hartt School?
lalengua,
Unless you are in the 5 year joint Tufts-NEC program then you would not take classes at NEC. But never fear Tufts supposedly has very good music instruction and classes and ensembles within the institution. I have known several very talented musicians who went there and continued to be in ensembles and study music.
University of Miami. Frost School of Music is one of the best in the country. Their Music Engineering program has been around since 1975 and has continued to evolve with technology. (Disclaimer: class of '82 here.) They also have more production-oriented programs that don’t have the math/engineering component.
There are some great suggestions in this thread. My DD would like to pursue VP potentially for opera and has developed a list of potential colleges that offer conservatory-like training and some dd programs: Tufts/NEC, Northwestern, Rice, Boston U. Here’s my question: she’s a very good student with a 35 ACT but we’re looking for some (dare I say it?) safeties. Realizing, of course, that there are no safeties where auditioned programs are involved. They could be good liberal arts schools with strong music departments (in case the auditions all bomb). Her location criteria is being in or very near a major city. I’d appreciate any suggestions!
@momzhood – Are you looking for non audition options? Or just less competitive options? And by “strong music departments” do you mean strong specifically for VP? (Nowadays any “strong” VP program will be competitive. )