<p>Hey guys, I hope someone here can give me a little advice. I've been accepted into the trumpet studio at UMich, Illinois, and MSU. Does anyone have any opinions about each of those programs to help me with my decision as to where I should go?</p>
<p>Greetings. Is your focus classical or jazz? What kind of SOM experience are you looking for? (Eg. large with many ensembles; more intimate; do you enjoy improv; do you like to compose?). Did you take sample lessons with the profs at each? Who did you bond with most? Whose musical style matches your own aspirations?
My son is at the School of Music for the PAT program (rough equivalent to music technology) and he absolutely loves it. UMich, as you likely know, is often among the top 3-5 overall music schools/conservatories in the nation when organizations attempt the slippery job of ranking conservatories and music schools – but music school rankings don’t actually mean a lot on a case-by-case nature or a studio-by-studio basis, because there are just too many variables for comparison. (Eg. old music school rankings were based on graduate programs – which is only relevant to masters and grad students – but in terms of “Peer Assessment” ratings OVERALL as a music school, Michigan traditionally is very near the top of the list). </p>
<p>What means the most is that you have found the right fit in mentor if you’re performance stream; that the school has the type of degree or combo that you’re looking for (eg. BMUS, or BFA or BA) and the kind of atmosphere/playing opportunities that you’re looking for.</p>
<p>While Michigan State is more of a “regional” university, it does have very strong areas within its music school. However, you want to be conscious of the fact that Michigan State is much more reliant on the State for funding than UMich’s School of Music due to UMich’s strong world rank and huge endowment. That said, I believe there are some very awesome trumpet opportunities at State, but there have also been cuts to the various departments over the last few years.</p>
<p>Illinois is a strong school overall but usually isn’t as frequently well known or a household name (at least in these parts) as a school of music/conservatory. That does not in any way mean it might not be a great fit for you – so chalk that one up to my ignorance more than any real opinion.</p>
<p>If you are in state in Michigan, I personally feel you’d get more mileage from tuition dollars at UMich in terms of name recognition (at least compared with going out of state). One very important consideration is to make sure you need to take as FEW LOANS as humanly possible, since the path to a performance career is not always paved with high-paying or particularly stable opportunities in the beginning.</p>
<p>So where would it cost you the least? Put all those factors together and see which program suits your own individual needs best. </p>
<p>One final note – not that it should necessarily influence you. Grand Valley State has a trumpet studio that regularly TROMPS all comers nationally, and one of its leaders ALSO teaches at UMich. PM mean if you want that individual’s name. He’s awesome, but I don’t know if he’s the one you’ve met, or whether you’ve met him.
Cheers,
K</p>
<p>hey, thanks for the information. my focus is in classical performance, but i’m not sure what im looking for in college. an intimate experience would definitely be nice though.</p>
<p>Are you in-state? And did you have lessons at all 3 schools?</p>