Vocal Performance.

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>First off, I'm new.. so if there's already a post like this, I apologize.</p>

<p>Okay so.
I live in Ohio.
My entire life my parents have been saving up for college, so I'm pretty sure I'm covered and everything's swell and dandy and all that.
My boyfriend and I are both musicians.
He's a very talented guitar player, he likes challenges in modern music.
I like challenges in modern vocal performance.</p>

<p>he wants to go to berklee, but I am not moving to Boston.
And I also know I'm not good enough to get in, but he is.
ALSO. Berklee is WAYYYY expensive.</p>

<p>does anyone know any cheap, preferrably Ohio-an, modern music schools where you could major in both guitar performance and vocal performance?</p>

<p>any help, any suggestions, are greatly appreciated :)</p>

2

<p>I don't know any place in Ohio that is modern, but there are a shti-tone of classical music schools and conservatories in Ohio (which is funny haha.) Like Oberlin, CIM, blah blah. Why not Boston?</p>

3

<p>we went there for a vacation over the break.
and we decided, yeah, way too expensive to live there.
but my mom lived in mass. once, and said he wouldn't
be able to bring his guitar on the train with him because there
is a possibility he might get mugged or something.</p>

<p>also, i don't really do well with big cities.
even though cincinnati is HUGE.
(i don't go downtown very often though)</p>

4

<p>"he wouldn't be able to bring his guitar on the train with him because there is a possibility he might get mugged or something."</p>

<p>I take the T at least once a day, and at least once a week to Berklee and through the surrounding area with a very large double trumpet case. There are so many musicians in that area, always a ton of guitarists on the T. Don't let her scare you. I feel much safer in that area with a music case (at a reasonable hour...) than so many other places.</p>

<p>Other than that, I don't have advice. But I couldn't not say something when I read that.</p>

5

<p>Belmont in Nashville has a very good contemporary music program. I have known very good guitarists and vocalists come out of the school. </p>

<p>It is not in Ohio, but Nashville is not that far from Cincinnati.</p>

6

<p>Couple things - define expensive for you, its different for everyone
Are you writing off all big cities then? Because you limit yourself a lot of you do that - there are some great music schools, especially in Cincinnati. Take it from someone who lives in New York, in the midst of a wonderful music scene - people with guitars do not get mugged often.
By modern music do you mean pop music or musical theater? I don't know of many schools that have pop music as a major. It's usually musical theater, jazz vocal performance (which might be what you are looking for - and berklee has a great program) or classical vocal performance.</p>

<p>this is just my opinion, but it probably would be a good idea to find the best schools for you for vocal performance and have him find the best schools for guitar performance. its also easier to find schools when you know what you love, rather than trying to find schools for what someone else loves. if the two match up, then by all means, fall in love with the same school. But, I wouldn't rule out all schools that don't have both modern guitar performance and modern vocal performance because those aren't common majors.
This may just be the way it came out from the message, but college is four years of your life. Especially in music, you need to find a place that you love so that you can get quality teachers and a quality education. In my mind, you shouldn't go to school for a guy. Find your own schools, have him find his. If your relationship is strong, it will last no matter where you go. If you are lucky, you'll go to the same school because you both fell in love with it - not because it's the only school that has both of your majors.
You may not be doing that at all, but that was what I took from your message.</p>

<p>Give us some more info and I'll try to think of some schools..</p>

7

<p>Seconding what was written above!</p>

<p>... And how old are you and your boyfriend, and how long have you been in this relationship? Maybe it's a good time to contemplate a break. If either of you is truly, truly serious about your art ... that's all you are going to have time for. If your mom and dad are prepared to pay your way, I think you owe it to them to make sure they're paying for you to devote yourself completely to your studies. </p>

<p>Also, be real about what post-college life will be like for the two of you -- lots of travelling, very low likelihood that both of you will find work in the same area. </p>

<p>Concentrate on what YOU need right now.</p>

8

<p>Okay.
First post:
expensive for him is.. pretty much anything, but I'm saying Berklee status. Which is about 48 grand a year.
And yes, Berklee is a great school. I'd LOVE to go there. But there's the big city factor, and then I'm still working on my voice.. I'm trying to become "good enough for Berklee."
I still have two years until I want to apply.
My plan is to get the liberal arts stuff out of the way, then head out for my music classes.
I really have no other choice, because my parents bought the two of us a house (which will also be my dad's business office) which is five minutes away from that college (we have 5-7 days until we'll be moved in) and I've already been accepted there (at the local college).
That college might also be a good place to attend for the rest of my college years, except they're WORKING ON a guitar program. And I don't know when that will be ready.</p>

<p>Some more things that I probalby should have mentiond:
my high school is a career technical school, majoring in the arts; so I've been pretty spoiled. We have a great music program, mostly rock and some jazz. For example, this quarter I'm singing on an alice in chains song and playing on one, and a song by Heart... And a song by head automatica.
It's a wide, diverse variety.
It also has theatre, art, and dance.</p>

<p>I've found some out-of-state colleges that sound like they'd fit (McNally Smith and the College of Santa Fe). But I don't know how well they'd fit for him.</p>

<p>The problem with us being together.. is more that we're never apart. He couldn't handle us not being together, not living together and going to colleges within the city.</p>

<p>And I'm not ruling out all big cities, I'm trying to become more open to it.
I actually looked at some New York schools, they sounded pretty cool, but as soon as I brought them up to him, he completely rejected the idea of being in New York. However, I have TONS of family there.. So it wouldn't be that bad, in my opinion.</p>

<p>A few more things.
My parents are always busy, as well as my school counselor, so I really know nothing about college or the process or anything. Loans, scholarships, all that.. it's all confusing to me. FASFAS. etc.
I'm really, really nervous, scared, anxious.. just all around jittery about the whole deal.</p>

<p>There are a few more things I'd like to say, but at the moment, I can't remember them.. I'll keep thinking about it though, and I'm sure they'll come back to me eventually.</p>

<p>One last thing.
I really appreciate that all of you, even though I don't know you or anything about you, took the time to read this.
I really have no one to talk to about college, or any help with it.
So I'd just like to say thank you to all of you for your input. :)</p>

9

<p>OH.
A few more things.</p>

<p>I'm 17, and he's 18.
We've been dating a little under a year.
We come from completely different backgrounds,
for instance, both my parents are lawyers.
his mom went a few years without a job.</p>

<p>i really don't care about class standings, etc.
i just thought i'd let you know that.</p>

<p>I'm pretty much not allowed to not go to college.
Not that I don't want to, but it puts a lot of stress on me.
It's been this way my whole life.
However, I'm very dedicated, studious, etc.
I had 10 classes spread out online between junior and senior year, as well as extra credits I didn't need, and I completed nine of them last year, and one extra class this year, and am working on that tenth class (it's almost done).
He still has eleven classes left, and has only completed one of them, and our school ends in may/early june. he doesn't have a high GPA (mine is a 3.5 or 3.6), and so he might not even get to college.
Oh and if he doesn't finish those eleven classes this year, he has to start over next year because they're erasing the platform for the online website and upgrading. which REALLY sucks, and is very stressful.</p>

<p>I can be devoted to college, I love music with every fiber of my being. I actually LIKE doing school work, I LIKE doing music theory.
He, on the other hand, as you can tell by the eleven remaining classes, is not devoted to school. But he loves music, and has such a talent, such a gift. He can pick up any instrument and play it perfectly. (I'm jealous of that).
So I know the music classes will be fun and maybe even easy for him.
But the English, Math, etc. That's going to be tough because he never wants to do it, puts it off, etc.</p>

<p>Last thing.
We've both been paying attention in our theory classes. Our teacher SAYS he's been integrating college material into that, so I know that won't be hard for either of us.</p>

10

<p>You say you are taking the classes online -- are you both home schooled?</p>

11

<p>Morphine --</p>

<p>I am seeing HUGE red flags in so much of what you have written ... in terms of the boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, in terms of the maturity level involved, in terms of being able to get out of the relationship if you're living together, and in terms of your approach to the college search. "He couldn't handle ..."? RUN!!!! NOW!!!! Yes, I am serious.</p>

<p>Concentrating on you. Is there a possibility of you going to the local college for liberal arts while also taking private voice lessons? There's no shame in that, if you can. How high a caliber is the faculty of your high school -- if they're accomplished enough, and you feel you have learned/can learn a lot from them ... there's no harm in supplementing your LA education with private voice lessons. See who offers what.</p>

<p>I worry a bit that your High School has "spoiled" you by letting you work on jazz and contemporary without also emphasizing "classical" training techniques for optimum, long-term vocal health. Am I right in that? If so, college-level vocal education may come as sort of a shock to you, because even most jazz programs have classical training for the first years; some even make classical part of the audition process. </p>

<p>For the kind of vocal performance you want to do, perhaps you are better off finding a good, well-rounded training program whose campus puts you in the middle of an active club scene. And/or whose campus offers lots of different music performance oppotunities (ensembles). </p>

<p>Programs specific to contemporary music are few; all I can think of is Berklee in Boston and Belmont in Nashville, TN. You could also look into The University of Arts, in Philadelphia, PA; Temple University, in Philadelphia, PA; University of Miami in Miami, FL; Arizona State University, in Tempe, AZ. There are probably a ton of places in California, but we eliminated the West Coast from our search, so can't help you much there. If you consider Boston too intimidating, I am assuming NYC is a no, too. </p>

<p>Try to get your hands on the October 2007 issue of DOWNBEAT magazine. It has a comprehensive listing of the jazz music programs offered in US colleges ... between that and the ads, you can get a good idea of who offers what.</p>

12

<p>our classes are online, we're part of a school where you do all your classes on line.</p>

<p>and i've had other experience with singing, i have been in vocal classes/musicals/ just singing since i was in third grade.</p>

<p>i still need a lot of work, like i've said.
and i found someone who is going to help me prepare myself for that.</p>

<p>I know there are a lot of red flags.
I'm just afraid to accept things.. like that he might not be the person that I think he is, that he might not be "the one" etc.
i'm a very complicated person, i've had a lot of issues in the past that i've had to get over, and i'm still pretty.. uhm.. i don't know what word would describe it best, not weak or sensitive, but more like.. immature in less of a "doody makes me laugh" way than a life lessons way, although i've had a lot of life lessons a lot of people haven't.
and he accepts me this way, which is something i appreciate.
there are a lot of things that are complicated about me, our relationship, my life in general, that i don't really get to talk about, and are reasons why i'm still with him.</p>

13

<p>I'm a little confused by your H.S. situation. You say you are attending a "career technical school, majoring in the arts", but you are part of a school where you do all your classes online. There is only one performing arts H.S. in the Cincinnati area - SCPA, the School for Creative and Performing Arts. Students who attend that school do not normally take all of their classes online. Occasionally, someone might take one class through the Ohio Virtual H.S., but certainly not all of their classes. Also, I would not characterize the music program at SCPA as being mostly rock and some jazz. </p>

<p>Are you taking private lessons from a teacher at the school? There are some excellent voice teachers at SCPA. All the teachers that I know of at the school do require some classical training. Are you studying privately with a voice teacher outside of the school? In either case, your private teacher would be a good resource person to talk with about finding schools with vocal programs that would be a good fit. </p>

<p>Other posters have given you some excellent advice about schools that have contemporary music programs and about the girlfriend/boyfriend dynamic. Have you availed yourself of the resources at your H.S.? You can find catalogs for most of the schools that offer degrees in the arts at SCPA. I don't know who the current guidance counselor is, but there are certainly many people at the school you could turn to for advice on college if you feel that he or she is not available. The school has a college information night every fall where things like filling out FAFSA forms, college applications, finding scholarships, auditioning, etc. are discussed. In the past, the school even had a night where seniors and their parents could go to the school and do the FAFSA with guidance! I know that when my D was a student there, the dean from CCM came to talk to the students about the ins and outs of applying for, auditioning for, and funding performing arts degrees. A very high percentage of students from SCPA do go on to work on college degrees in the arts. I hope you will avail yourself of the help that the school offers.</p>

14

<p>if you live in cincinnati, i go to a school that's an offshoot of butler tech called Options Academy- The Arts, located in Hamilton.</p>

<p>All counselors, teachers, etc. are pretty busy, or don't know enough about what i want.</p>

<p>we only have one guidance counselor, because the school only has about 67 kids. we have one principal, one teacher.
and my home school doesn't really care about me, doesn't know me, because i've never attended it, i spent my first two years of high school in treatment centers.</p>

15

<p>I appreciate your explaining more about where you go to school. I'm sorry to hear that the teachers at your school are not able to help you. Do you have a private voice instructor? If not, would your parents be willing to find a good teacher for you? I'm not familiar with any of the arts teachers in Hamilton, but I know that there are some very good private music teachers on the north side of Cincinnati, which would not be too far. I'm glad to hear that you like music theory and are doing well in the class. Do you play an instrument? I'm guessing that you can read music, at least somewhat, since you are doing well in theory. Spending the months between now and graduation taking piano lessons would benefit you. The better your piano skills, the easier your college music theory classes will be. It will also be very helpful to you in learning new vocal selections.</p>

<p>I am a little hesitant to say this, since the only things I know about you are what you have written here on this forum, but I sense that you might benefit from talking to a skilled counselor or therapist. It sounds like you might still have some work to do in getting over past issues. You seem to be a very strong girl who is serious about school. You've worked hard, gotten good grades, and obviously come through some tough times, since you were in treatment centers. Have you told your parents that you feel there are things you don't get to talk about? I know it can be hard to open up to mom and dad. But, trust me, they would want to know if you have unresolved issues. Sometimes, there are loose ends left after a first go-round in therapy. </p>

<p>I sense that right now, you feel that your boyfriend is the only person who listens to you and understands you. I can see why the idea of being apart feels unpleasant. Your mom and dad may have already told you this, but I'll say it anyway. If you and this boy are really meant to be together, going to different schools won't change that. You should pick a school where you can grow. </p>

<p>I will suggest taking a look at Northern Kentucky University. You may know that it is across the river from Cincinnati. Their music department has been steadily rising in quality for the past 10 years. Maybe you could make the time to pay a visit to the school and meet some of the music faculty. You could e-mail the voice faculty to see about setting up a private lesson. If you don't feel like you are ready to audition for a well known school like Berklee or Belmont, maybe doing a couple of years at a local school would beef up your skills to the point where you feel competitive. Tuition at NKU is very reasonable, even for out-of-state students.</p>

<p>Good luck with your college search and please think about what I've said regarding therapy. I wish you the best :).</p>

16

<p>I've kind of found a voice instructor, one of my friends who has a lot more training than I do.</p>

<p>I play a lot of instruments actually. I started out at school playing guitar and singing, and have since moved to bass. I also play piano and french horn.</p>

<p>I have a therapist, I just don't feel like she really listens to me that much. My boyfriend has suggested someone I see, but my parents keep forgetting to call him. A few years ago I had a very trustworthy therapist, but my parents won't let me see him anymore because he didn't agree with the necessity of treatment centers.</p>

<p>I'm pretty close with my mom actually, but both my parents and I are changing.. I used to talk to her about everything, and now she doesn't have the time or just doesn't care. She's told my boyfriend (he's part of the family now you could say) that she loves me a lot, but she doesn't really like the person I am.</p>

17

<p>I hope that you will sit down and have a heart to heart with your mom. It may feel like "she just doesn't care", but, trust me, she cares very much. There's no greater heartache for a parent than to watch their child suffer. Your parents may be hoping that since you have completed your time in the residential center and that you are seeing a therapist that you are well on your way to recovery. That is something that I know they very much want to believe. Since you feel that your therapist is not hearing you, you need to get that point across to your parents. Not every therapist is a good match for every client. Find a time when your parents can focus exclusively on you and tell them what is on your mind. If necessary, tell your mom and dad that you need to make an appointment with them to talk :)! Let them know that you and your therapist are not making progress and that you would like to find someone else. Tell them your concerns about college. Your mom and dad have obviously been through the college application "thing" since they are both lawyers. Ask your parents to help you find a real voice teacher. IMHO, a friend who has "a lot more training" than you do is no substitute for an experienced adult voice teacher. (If you need some suggestions about how to find a good teacher in your area, send me a P.M.)</p>

<p>You mentioned that both you and your parents are changing. That is normal and happens in all families as the children mature. The major job of all teens is to gradually move away from the family nest and graduate into adult life. I think it is pretty common for a teen to feel less close to mom and dad than when she was younger. When a family has been through a crisis, as your family has, it is natural for every family member to develop some "self-protective" devices. Sometimes they take the form of putting distance between themselves and the problem. Your parents may be trying very hard not to see that you still have problems because acknowledging that you do would hurt too much. I believe that your parents love you very much and want to help you move on to a healthy, productive adult life. It sounds to me that they are trying to be supportive: they have bought a house for you and your boyfriend to live in during college and they have included your boyfriend as part of the family. They need to hear that you have concerns that are not being addressed. I sincerely hope that you will sit them down and tell them what is on your mind. Please stay in touch.</p>

18

<p>I agree with DM about talking to your parents. I think that at this stage it would be best for you to engage an objective third party (trusted friend, clergy, extended family member, therapist) to arrange for you and your parents to have a good, honest sit-down ... ostensibly about college, but also about the dynamics within your nuclear family unit (plus boyfriend). </p>

<p>Honestly, only someone who is there "on the ground" in front of you is going to be able to accurately gauge what might be the best situation for you. Would you be better off studying close to home, or is your home situation so dysfunctional you would be better moving away from it? There is absolutely no way any of us here could ever feel remotely qualified to advise you on that. As a mother, my big concern for you at this point would be how your personal mental and emotional health would be able to deal with living and studying on a college campus. Music performance programs can be a pressure cooker; and even the most low-key one might be too much of a shock to your current system right now.</p>

<p>I am thinking maybe you and your parents need to sit down and create an education strategy for you, maybe something along a two-year program. You had written about getting your LA requirements out-of-the way with a two-year stint at a local college; perhaps that is a sound strategy. I also think you need to give thought about whether the kind of music you enjoy performing IS something that you can study in college; maybe you would be better off pursuing something in the liberal arts & sciences for your degree program, but at a school that offers an active club scene, and ensemble performance opportunities. </p>

<p>Right now there seems to be a lot at stake here ... parental finances, your own mental/emotional state ... that should be worked out first.</p>