<p>My seventten year old son is studying to be a concert pianist. He has applied (and auditioned) for most of the following schools (to study piano performance):</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon (School of Music)
Temple University (Boyer College)
Rutgers University (Mason Gross)
New England Conservatory
SUNY Purchase (Conservatory of Music)
Manhattan School of Music
Rider University (Westminster Choir College)</p>
<p>I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on which of these you would most recommend (indicating which teachers you would recommend as well).</p>
<p>You have apples and oranges in this list---very tough to compare! There are very selective and somewhat less selective programs, as well as stand alone conservatories, and those within big universities. </p>
<p>Has he had private lessons with any of the teachers at any of these schools?</p>
<p>Yes, he has had private lessons with two professors (from different schools) and has met and played for professors at most of the others. He has done very well in auditions with professors expressing great interest in him. He has already been accepted at two on the list. </p>
<p>You are correct, they're are apples and oranges. We choose state and private universities and conservatories. Since we are not quite certain if we can afford the higher-end schools, I would like to get sense from the members of this board as to their thoughts on the list I posted.</p>
<p>NEC, MSM, and Purchase form the top tier in that list. Temple may be as good and as selective, but doesn't quite have the name recognition. CMU, RU, and WCC are very certainly a little notch behind. I personally wouldn't hold WCC as anything more than a safety.</p>
<p>To some extent it's a question of name recognition, just looking at the list without knowing the teachers...NEC and Manhattan are probably the best known nationally (being from California, I don't know much about Rutgers or the SUNY schools); but for your son, it will be a question of which teacher he would study with at any of these schools and whether the school has an environment that is supportive and stimulating for him, and affordability, of course. At NEC, Stephen Drury does new music and runs the summer festival SICPP, which may appeal to your son if he likes contemporary music.</p>
<p>I can give plenty of details as to why I ranked them as I did. However, as mamenyu has alluded - it hardly matters, because the only thing relevant is how your son chooses to rank them as HE does.</p>
<p>Agree that ranking is less important than the teacher for a solo performer. You could find great teachers outside the highly ranked schools. You are not concerned about playing in an ensemble. I do not know much about piano, but for voice, someone who does well at this level and enjoys working with and developing undergraduates is important.</p>
<p>Mamenyu, Thank you for your reply. This is helpful.</p>
<p>Stephmin, Thanks. You are right the most important thing is how my son ranks them. He has already done so, but I imagine that you and other members on this list, might have some additional insights and your views could help to more fully inform his. We have done our research and formed our own opinions, but I was not aware of this list at the time and wanted to get some sense from others about the colleges/conservatories we are considering.</p>
<p>Loyola New Orleans has a wonderful music department. Eastman is fantastic, as well as Manhattan. Rice University also has a wonderful music department.</p>
<p>NEC, MSM, and Purchase form the top tier in that list.<</p>
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<p>We are looking at Purchase too, but their undergrad output seems to be a Mus. B rather than a BM. Or are these the same thing? Reason I ask is that a Batchelor of Music (BM) can be considered more academic/focussed/whatever than a Batchelor of Arts.</p>
<p>sounds like the same thing: BMus = MusB = BM. It is understandable that BMus is used instead of BM at some schools...I haven't seen MB, but it probably exists somewhere. At the UC's they give AB's rather than BA's.</p>
<p>Am I safe in assuming that your son is a HS senior now ( figured that from the fact that he has already auditioned!)? Wondering why your son left Eastman out? Their piano department is outstanding...</p>
<p>
[quote]
Reason I ask is that a Batchelor of Music (BM) can be considered more academic/focussed/whatever than a Batchelor of Arts.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>RichardHK, you actually have these reversed. A BM is a more discipline focused degree, and comprises more music courses/credits. For example, a BM will require 8 semesters of lessons and ensemble participation, whereas a BA may only require 6 or (less). A BA has fewer music specific core requirements and a higher number of liberal arts/general education requirements.</p>
<p>The degree outline specifics vary by institution.</p>
<p>Violadad. Not reversed actually. We have a semantic understanding difference it seems. Yes, your breakdown is exactly how I see it. Thanks for clarification. Sorry for confusion.</p>
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<p>I concur a BM=BMus=MB.<</p>
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<p>And sorry to be so fussy, but to settle my query without question would result in:
BM=BMus=MB=MusB.</p>
<p>Right? ;)</p>
<p>For OP. From our research, we also have Eastman on the list.</p>