<p>Hi,</p>
<p>My son has the luck of choosing between these two schools. He spoke with Chris Sampson from Pop Music and R. Sanchez from UMiami yesterday. I was hoping that would help him choose. His passion is songwriting and he has been writing songs since he was in elementary school. Does anyone out there know which school might have better outcomes post grad for this? They both seem like excellent programs. I believe there are only 24? for the popular music program and think Frost is similar? Anyone out there with experience with either program? It is such an important decision and he is frozen. Thank you for any help or advice.</p>
<p>Sent you a PM, if there’s such thing as a PM on CollegeConfidential anymore</p>
<p>Othermusicdad - there was a whole discussion of PM’s on another thread on this forum. They’re still private. It’s when folks post on the Visitor’s Wall - which is what you get if you click on the name of the person, rather than on the envelope icon. (This has always been true - it’s just the icons have changed.)</p>
<p>My son is about to graduate from the Pop program at USC. I can’t speak for UMiami, and I’m clearly biased, so I will restrict my comment to the one objective difference. USC is in LA, and its connections to the web of music industry here are unparalleled. Check out the Rolling Stone article published recently about the program, and encourage your son to join the FB USC Popular Music network to get an idea what these kids are exposed to. Another objective difference is that USC has an amazing film school (as I’m sure you know), and many music students (especially comp) end up composing for student films. Those students often become filmmakers, and so on and so on. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Jazz/shreddermom, congratulations to your son! It sounds like he has enjoyed his time at USC. To the OP, however, most large cities have great music scenes. Miami is no exception. The faculty at Frost is well connected to the music industry both nationally and internationally and that connection directly benefits Frost students. I sent you more specific comments about my daughter’s ongoing experience at Frost in a PM. Good luck with a tough decision.</p>
<p>I’m sure Frost is fantastic. My point was more about the fact that there is a difference between a music “scene” and where the music industry lives (NYC, LA, Nashville, for the most part- music producers/managers/labels/publishers/professionals who come to USC don’t have to get on a plane; they’re already here, as are their internships, forums and master classes through USC’s program). But more important, I think it’s important for the OP to know that no school program gets a musician “work.” The musician does that. IF he/she has a voice/talent/approach the world is looking for at any given moment, and the drive to get themselves seen and heard. Sometimes the networking that leads to a career takes planting a million seeds, repeatedly. The university can only provide contacts and help the musician develop a network. We will hear of successes from all programs, and of course, many from students who don’t even study contemporary music in “college.” </p>
<p>I didn’t get your PM (maybe you meant the OP?).</p>
<p>At my son’s performing arts school in Dallas, those interested in popular music writing and performance saw the holy grail as USC. But that is not say one is better career wise than the other. It is only the perception of a few talented kids in between the two schools. Explore what the students at each school are doing during the summers, read press releases regarding the students. But in the end, it the student’s drive to succeed that is of the utmost importance.</p>
<p>compdad – I like the idea of exploring what the students are doing over summers, etc. but I can’t seem to find that out. He likes both schools…this is really going to come down to the wire!</p>