North Carolina School of the Arts (NCSA)

emfuhsiss · 03-04-2008, 06:44 PM

Hi,

I have applied to graduate programs in music composition at four different schools: CCM, Peabody, North Carolina School of the Arts, and Duke. I have heard back from two already, CCM and NCSA. The other two probably won't offer me anything at this point, but for the purpose of this post, just ignore them.

CCM said that I am #1 on the waitlist (they have accepted four others out of the initial 15-20). NCSA has not only accepted me, but they trying to offer an assistantship (w/stipend and scholarship), but it hasn't come through yet.

Each school being equal, I would definitely pick NCSA, because the assistantship they are offering isn't just grading papers, etc. but I would actually be teaching composition students. Also, the teachers, IMO, are just as good or better at NCSA (in terms of career attainment, commissions, awards, etc.), and I like their music, too. CCM is great--I did part of my undergrad there, so I know it's a good school, but they have obviously not offered any money to me (or even admission). I am thinking they will probably accept me eventually because one of those four they accepted will probably choose to go somewhere else, and then I will be next on the list. Do you think that's true?

My main question, though, is this: I've asked many people about NCSA, and I have found that it isn't very well known (most people didn't even know they had a college program at all, much less graduate programs). I'm afraid that even though the educational opportunities at NCSA will be very good (along with good financials), it doesn't carry the weight of a CCM or Peabody. Does this matter enough that I should be thinking about turning them down? Is their reputation really as unknown as it seems? Does anyone have an opinion about NCSA, positive or negative?

Thanks in advance

thumper1 · 03-04-2008, 06:59 PM

My son is a graduate performance major at NCSA. I have to say, we just spent a few days down there. The facilities are terrific...well maintained, and really quite nice. The faculty is very approachable and helpful. Everyone is friendly and collegial. It's a great environment. In addition to a fine music program, there is a lot of interdeparmental collaboration, something that my son says is not happening at a lot of other places. The dance, drama, music, theater design departments often collaborate on performances. There is a new chancellor who started last spring who is a musician, and there is also a new orchestra director. It seems that they are working to make NCSA a household conservatory name. While it's not as well known in the northeast, it IS quite well known in the southeast.

In addition, Winston-Salem is a great area and very supportive of the arts in general. I read that this city has the number one donations per capita for the arts of any city in the country. There are many opportunities for the artists at this school that simply would not be available to them in larger urban areas. My son is getting more playing opportunities than he had in Boston, simply because there just aren't as many musicians jockeying for jobs. AND everyone is very appreciative.

NCSA also owns the Stevens Center, their downtown performance space. Watson Hall is about three years old and is a state of the art facility.

I'm sure you have visited already, but if you haven't...you really should. I would suggest that you go when the students are there, and when you will have the opportunity to speak to them.

My son recently did a recital and involved seven other musicians in his program. This is the type of thing that is encouraged at NCSA. I'll bet the composition students could find a number of musicians to play their pieces!!

I will say...my son went there for his fabulous teacher. He has not been disappointed.

lorelei2702 · 03-04-2008, 07:36 PM

NCSA has had a tradition of well known composers. Their current chancellor is an conductor. The entire schools is oriented around interdisciplinary artistic endeavors and the perfection of the individual crafts. I cannot imagine a better situation for a young composer. Good luck.

cartera45 · 03-04-2008, 08:10 PM

Some people in the northeast think people from North Carolina only play washboards!! I wouldn't worry about the perception up this way. There are some wonderful music schools in the south and NCSA is one of them. The reputation in theater rivals Juilliard and Guthrie. One of my D's friends is there for stage design and management and she loves it.

emfuhsiss · 03-04-2008, 09:36 PM

Cartera45, that's so funny. But, you know, being from Cincinnati, I know that people don't play washboard in NC as well as they do in the nati, but it's all according to taste of course.

As far as there being a tradition of good composers coming from NCSA, I would like to know names. I am not a great internet researcher, and I've been having a hard time finding successful composer alumni from NCSA. Plenty of other programs at NCSA have interesting alumni, such as Film or Theatre, etc. Some specifics would be really helpful.

Thumper1, that was very helpful.

lorelei2702 · 03-05-2008, 10:19 AM

I am speaking of faculty....Robert Ward, Lawrence Dillon, strong well-known American composers.

aLfR3dd · 03-06-2008, 06:05 PM

I auditioned last month and been accepted at NCSA in composition (undergraduate) ....i really like the teacher's music and the school even if it's not private (i'm still waiting to know from private Universities like Hartford). So it will be very difficult for me to choose and i'm sure that i would enjoy to do 4 years at NCSA. emfuhsiss we can keep in touch if you want! ciao!

neumes · 03-06-2008, 07:13 PM

Congrats to you, aLfR3dd! If you chose NC, I'll second North Carolina as being an incredibly receptive state for the arts.

aLfR3dd · 03-07-2008, 03:44 AM

thank you neumes!