<p>My D was accepted to Shenandoah Conservatory for performance. She also was accepted both to James Madison University and George Mason University's programs.</p>
<p>Can anyone provide some input on the quality of these program? How they compare, differ? I would like to get some feedback from current students at any or the parents perspectives but would gladly accept comments by the truly knowledgable about these programs.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance</p>
<p>I meant to mention that this was for <em>piano</em> performance</p>
<p>I’m biased but I believe that JMU has the best music department in the state. The new performing arts facility will be incredible and is scheduled to open in the fall. My D is at JMU for vocal performance but has several good friends in piano performance. She reports that they are very happy there. The music kids there are a happy and close knit group generally. Then are very supportive of each other, work hard but find time to have fun together. She has commented many times on how talented the piano performance majors are there. It works to her advantage too because there is no shortage of very accomplished accompanists. I encourage your D to contact the departments at each school and get names of current students with whom she can start a dialogue. My D did that and it helped tremendously.</p>
<p>spidermonkey, theres a fair amount of past detail in existing threads on JMU, and some on both Shenandoah and GMU. I do not think there is much piano specific reference, but enough to have some general questions addressed. I’ve posted some of my search methods here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/892168-search-tips-other-insights.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/892168-search-tips-other-insights.html</a>. Using the Master lists as I explain alows you to identify posters with acceptances to specific program, which then allows you to begin to target searches by username.</p>
<p>Other helpful threads are</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/558178-music-school-visits.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/558178-music-school-visits.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/6280-suggestions-colleges-music-majors.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/6280-suggestions-colleges-music-majors.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/850837-fall-cycle-2010-audition-experiences.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/850837-fall-cycle-2010-audition-experiences.html</a></p>
<p>In these longer threads, it can be effective to search for posts ny a school name within the thread.</p>
<p>Congrats on your D’s acceptances. If you have trouble searching, let me know.</p>