“Just playing devil’s advocate here. The music curriculum includes theory and musicianship, music history, analysis, composition, ethnomusicology and technology no matter where you go. If he doesn’t do music major, double major or double degree then those would have to be electives along with other classes in the area of music. But EC’s can be strong.”
→ Yes, Music classes fulfill so few “other” requirements making it challenging in many schools. You’ve given a lot to think about. Thank you.
Actually there are usually several music classes that fulfill gen ed requirements. 
Sometimes there is a particular class for majors and a particular class for non-majors but your kid might be able to get into the former, who knows. I think the bigger issue is the intensity of STEM majors
My son’s academic area interest is in Data Science which is partly a Social Science major - certainly Math/Stats heavy and with some computer programming… but not as time-intense as CS major IMO (from what I saw in my daughter’s journey).
If he were interested in CS, I would hesitate about double major since several of the required project based classes tend to consume disproportionate # of hours vs # of credits.
Another possibility is to just do enough core classes in Data Science to keep his flames glowing without making it a full major. Many schools don’t allow non-majors to take those classes… needs to be navigated.
I think it’s great that you and your son are looking at all the various permutations possible with these two interests
1 Like
I’ll weigh in on this. In my opinion, a double major with music needs to be at a very supportive college. The music performance courses are plenty in number with a lot of one credit courses meeting several times a week (ensembles, lessons, etc). Add to that rehearsals for performances. Then think about the types of coursework needed for data sciences, etc. That isn’t exactly a light weight major either.
And…the music courses…often there isn’t a lot of flexibility in terms of days and times when they are offered.
So…just be very alert to these possibilities.
One of my kids was an engineering major who wanted to minor in music. She found it impossible to schedule the courses needed, and her school was supportive of this minor. She ditched the minor, but did play first chair on her instrument in the orchestra for four years, and took private lessons at the college. She also played in some civic theater productions, and other outside of college things that her teacher couldn’t do…so recommended her. It’s very possible to continue music without majoring or minoring in it.
@thumper1 excellent point. There are a few schools that are quite supportive and there are others that aren’t as much. At least from their websites, it seems like NU, CMU and Vanderbilt actively encourage double majors. USC promotes it somewhat. It is harder in some of the schools in our list. Couple of the public schools we have in our list (like Wash, Wisc, Indiana etc.) are much more flexible in piano teacher access than the others. At this stage, we may just need to rank school flexibility higher than piano teacher caliber, perhaps.
For those taking private lessons…the relationship with the teacher is VERY important…very. Nothing worse than taking private lessons every week with someone you don’t click with. For my kids…the private teacher was THE most important component. And yes, even for the engineering major. That kid did sample lessons at all schools under consideration and jettisoned some because she didn’t feel all that great about the way the sample lesson went
1 Like
Point taken, and he does have his opinions about the teachers he has met… thank you.
Oh - as an aside my double degree student is doing CS AND music. He absolutely loves academics, he is still trying to figure out how to add minor(s) was still trying to add a 3rd major last year haha. So I definitely think it is doable for the right student. The really important thing is the right teacher who is enthusiastic about having a multi interested student (we found not all were) and a flexible program. My student is doing a lot of music in college but he has self-selected his opportunities. He’s chosen some atypical things to work on. He’s also at one of the schools on your list (you are welcome to message me if you want!).
Good luck!
2 Likes
Just wanted to applaud @CollegeBond007 for a well thought through approach of pursuing two interests/passions. Not an easy task, but your son has a few advantages as a piano performance applicant/major.
Pre screening is still intense, but slightly more manageable as you do not need to organize multiple rehearsals/recordings with an accompanist.
Also, in our experience (two music performance majors in our family on violin and oboe), piano performance majors have fewer strict rehearsal requirements as they generally would not be involved in large ensembles. So potentially fewer schedule conflicts while pursuing a double major.
I am assuming you have already thought of these details, but as your son would have a super tight schedule, look at proximity of music classes/venues to the CS program. Also, I advise looking at the availability of practice rooms with pianos.
My kid currently in conservatory tells me that the pianists practice an insane number of hours per day (unlike most wind players who risk injury if playing more than 5 or 6 hours) I assume this is not the case everywhere because we know of several double majors at various schools who have managed. But it takes great organizational skill and efficiency.
I predict that the path for your son will become clear over these next 6 months! Best of luck!
1 Like
I second the practice room advice and add in that at some schools, voice majors are required to take two years of piano, and if they’re like my S22, they are practicing piano as much as voice, and need a room with a piano for voice work as well. (and he loves hearing the virtuosos in the next room as he plunks out his beginner piano exercises LOL)
1 Like
My son is at Blair/Vanderbilt, and double majoring is very popular there. I don’t know the numbers, but my son has the impression anyway that he’s one of the few Blair kids who doesn’t have another major. It’s interesting, because they don’t offer a 5 year dual degree program like somewhere like Bard or Oberlin…it seems very tough to fit another major in with a music performance BM. But I do get the impression that Blair is more flexible and understanding than some schools about scheduling conflicts and that sort of thing.
I’m guessing you know this, but CMU has a really interesting program where they blend an arts major with a major in any of their other non-arts programs. It’s called BXA, the X being the other discipline. Here’s the link in case you aren’t familiar with it:
2 Likes
Pardon me for posting a variant of the same original question… one of the faculty from one of his top 3 schools said something like this when I emailed him requesting some guidance (post-trial-lesson) to help us narrow down our list etc.
“<son’s name> is a wonderful pianist… I was very happy to work with him… he would fit right into the -school- vibe. I anticipate having enough openings in my studio to be able to say that I will be able to add him. Shouldn’t be a problem getting through audition… I will keep an eye… However there are other decision makers, from -the bigger umbrella school- to admissions office, so I can’t guarantee anything but is certainly welcome to join my studio next year.”.
How should I interpret this? Can we safely remove, say schools below his top 6 or 7?
It sounds as though your son has gotten some strongly encouraging feedback from this particular teacher, as well as a few others. I am cautious by nature and especially when it comes to admissions for music performance which has so many unseen variables. My son, several years ago selected a total of 6 schools for applications. He made his selections based on reach, target and safety from a music perspective based on input from his private teacher at the time who had a lot of experience with placing students in various programs. So in addition to the feedback you are getting from sample lessons, hopefully his private teacher can provide guidance. My son had either a sample lesson or participated in a master class with all but 2 of his choices. He used the lesson also to determine if the program and teacher was a good fit for him. He got positive feedback from all.
Even with very positive feedback such as what you describe, caution is a good thing. There are times when a particular teacher retires suddenly, or other administrative variables come into play.
I will say that if your son’s private teacher is knowledgeable and comfortable with the pared down version of 6-7 applications, this may be a good choice. The actual in person audition process and timeline is grueling, and it is easy for the applicant to get burned out (or sick) with trying to do too many. I will say that my son’s strategy of 6 schools with his teacher’s input worked perfectly for him. He was accepted at all but the one we considered his safety (odd but not uncommon) and he is at the perfect place!
3 Likes
For my kid unless there is an official letter offering admission she won’t eliminate any of her schools at this point. Promises can be made but the statement “there are other decision makers” makes we think not a lock
2 Likes
Sound advice - this old thread showed up in a google search:
Makes sense to stay the course and not assume anything
1 Like
I also wouldn’t change anything based on that feedback. Even though that is awesome and crossing fingers for you! We had mixed results in similar circumstances with my 2019 graduate.
One teacher my student met with this fall told her not to be afraid to ask them for more merit money if she needs it and not to sweat the prescreens. LOL. 
You hope for good news, but it’s not over until it’s over!
2 Likes
Reasons he may not be accepted into that teacher’s studio: new job offer at a different U, a new “direction” in the music school (like decreasing the staff or size) announced for the first time in April! or an illness, accident or death related to the teacher and/or family. My D’s teacher left for 6 month due to an accident and back surgery. Life events can happen…and you don’t want to be in a fix bc someone got diagnosed with cancer and is decreasing instead of increasing a studio.
As for the “correct” number of applications/auditions etc., the general consensus is 6 - 8 for applications. Many people end up dropping a school or two during the process. When is the right time? Typically when you are feeling overwhelmed financially or time-wise. If it is taking a serious toll on academics, ability to perform musically or happiness…you may want to pull the plug on a school or two. After pre-screens are passed, it is not uncommon for a school or two to drop off. If you submit 8 or 9 prescreens and pass all…with the other positive feedback…you will most likely get a few acceptances (if not many). You could definitely consider dropping a school or two (again if it’s expensive and stressful) or simply doing a virtual audition and/or submit a recording (if allowed). It’s OK to tell a school that you are still interested but don’t have the finances to travel to all. My D did this and still got an acceptance.
And…at the beginning of the process, you may have 10 -12 schools when researching and then 8-9 schools when you apply, by audition time it may come down to 6 schools. Then you get 5 offers…2 schools don’t give enough money, at 1 school your kid’s frenemy will attend so that’s a NO…now you have 2 schools and only 1 is a true contender (note you only need 1). And then you think…why don’t I have more offers!! So just be careful to not prune too early. Multiple financial offers can be helpful in negotiating.
Final comment: auditioning in front of a variety of panels builds skills, confidence…and fosters “connections”. So there are elements of “auditioning” that go beyond the acceptance (if you are able to afford it financially and time-wise).
Good Luck!
7 Likes