Westminster Choir College

evasmom · 04-25-2007, 03:38 PM

Since some people have asked to get reports on this newer MT program, I thought I would start its own thread. I will copy over forevaeva's "why i chose..." post to this thread also.

One thing of interest, in the fall of 2008 the MT program at Westminster will be a part of a new College of the Arts. My current understanding is that this will integrate the acting and dance programs of Rider University allowing for more resources for the students. We were told, however; that Westminster was committed to maintaining small class sizes (6:1) with a lot of individual attention.

The first graduating class of MT's will have their showcase on Monday May 14 in NYC. If anyone is considering this school for their audition lists it might be possible to attend the showcase. Call admissions for help. Everyone at WCC has been very friendly.

One last point, they offer nice scholarship opportunities.

evasmom · 04-25-2007, 03:40 PM

Here are my d's thoughts ...

I'll paste my response about Westminster Choir College from another thread.

Here are my reasons for choosing WCC:

I was completely not expecting to like WCC at ALL, but my mom was making me audition there for whatever reason. But somehow, when I started my audition, the only thing running through my head was "I have to get into this school. I'm going to go here." So that was odd, but I guess it's what people say when they get "that feeling" at a college.

I liked the people I met in the audition, they were all VERY nice, and I seemed to click with them. I was under the impression that it was just a choir school with a new MT program, and it was all choir people teaching MTs. However, my accompanist played with Wicked, and the man in the audition told me that they brought in people from the business to give us contacts. The woman also said that the teachers there were all either currently working faculty or have had a career in the arts and now decided to teach. It was important to me to go to a school that would prepare me for a career in performing, not only to provide a fun college experience.

My mom also found out from a junior girl MT (all of the students were very nice, and seemed dedicated to singing) that a bunch of students went to a summer program with other big name schools, and they were picked out from the bunch because of their above average music theory skills. The professionals said that they would be successful because they could read music easily at an audition, and catch on quickly. Because of this recognition, their senior showcase will be at the same place as CCM's and Otterbein's.

About their senior showcase, this year, their very first class of MT's is graduating, so no one really knows how the students will fare, but after hearing of the positive response some students have been getting from the professional world, it makes me feel positive about it. Along with the fact that the MT program is so new, I liked the fact that I would receive a lot of attention, because every student that goes out into the business after graduating is representing their school and since it doesn't have a reputation, they will want to make me the best I can be so I can represent them well. There are only 40 students in the WHOLE major, so I am positive that I would be getting a lot of personal attention.

Other things I liked about the program were:
-The amazing voice training. I feel that after the program I will have a really solid voice, and still be able to develop my classical soprano voice at the same time.
-The students seemed very dedicated to their majors, and it seemed like a real music school.
-A girl that I talked to said that not only was the voice and theory work difficult, but the acting training was "intense."
-It's a 45 minute distance from NYC. And a 3.5 hour distance from my house.
-WCC is a conservatory within Princeton, a nice college town.

The one drawback for me is their dance program. They really focus most on singing, then acting, and barely anything on dance. I've been dancing for 14 years, so I'll have to either take more classes at Princeton Ballet, or someone said that I could choose a dance minor if I could fit it into my schedule. But at least there are facilities around so I don't have to worry about a lack of opportunities.

I was also accepted to Point Park's MT program, which had a lot of positive traits, but I think that WCC has MUCH better voice training, and a lot more specialized attention. But it all depends on what you want and need out of a program.

NotMamaRose · 04-25-2007, 04:10 PM

evasmom, my D's voice teacher (who, before retirement, headed up the preparatory voice division at a prestigious conservatory) *really* likes WCC. She is critical of a lot of MT programs, but respects the one (and the voice performance division) at Westminster Choir College. She is urging my D to look at it next year.

Singersmom07 · 04-25-2007, 06:02 PM

My D's voice teacher really wanted her to go there for vocal performance and was disappointed when she chose Rice

The ability to work with both vocal performance and musical theater and be supported by the school in doing both was attractive to D but the university environment at Rice won out.

evasmom · 04-25-2007, 06:56 PM

Thanks for the responses!
singersmom - I can definetly see how WCC would not appeal to everyone.It is very much a small music school and although they are associated with Rider University it seemed like the Wetminster students were pretty invloved in their own campus.
To be honest we were not seeing this school as high on the list and mistakenly thought it could be a "safety". I don't know the numbers of acceptance but with such a small school with a required audition, it should probably not be considered a "safety" for anyone. Still because it is new there are certainly less applicants than the more recognizable name schools.

evasmom · 09-08-2007, 08:33 AM

Update for fall!

I have had a few people ask how things are going at WCC, so I'll post my observations and let my D add her's when she has time.

Move in went smoothly with lots of friendly help, very well organized with teams of upperclassmen to help with carrying. Down side (?) three girls in a small room... up side - two really great roommates!

At the opening day activities, families and students alike were treated with care. The staff are very warm and do a great job of reaching out to everyone. The highlight for me was the Student Orientation leaders who performed a musical adaptation of Disney shows, leading into the students dividing into their orientation groups. My D was in the "Lion King" group. For all of you who may have had children who endlessly watched and acted out all the Disney musicals of the 1990's, you will understand that this was my moment of confirmation that my D was in the right place!

The MT program is entering it's fifth year and it seems that they are continuing to improve and grow. My D's voice teacher is new to the school and has a stellar reputation in the MT world. Her name is Carolann Page. My D is already excited about what she is learning!

mythmom · 09-08-2007, 01:47 PM

evasmom: I really liked your daughter's description of the almost psychic process of how a student and a school choose each other.

dancermom · 09-08-2007, 02:17 PM

evasmom,

I am SO HAPPY that your D is SO HAPPY! I think that it turns out to be true in most cases that everyone ultimately finds the school where they are meant to be. Posters said it to us last year and so I will say that to the auditionees now. It sometimes seems that this is impossible, so have hope!

evasmom · 09-08-2007, 07:19 PM

mythmom - You are right. Especially considering how the audition was near the end of her auditions and she really was convinced that this was not a school she would like! I didn't even bother to check things out much while she was doing her audition, since she was so sure she wouldn't go there. I did end up talking with some MT kids in the lounge and they were so nice and excited about their program that I was very pleased when my D returned from the audition with such a strong positive reaction!

Dancermom - Last year seems like a dream almost when I think about everything we all went through! It helped so much to have you and the other CC parents around ... This year's parents - Don't hesitate to introduce yourself to other parents at auditions... it really helps and you never know what CC friend you will find out there!

kaysmom · 09-08-2007, 09:21 PM

Evasmom,

So glad to hear such great things are going on at WCC! I know your d will do so great there!!! Last year does seem like forever ago and how nice to know that your d is in a place that is working out wonderfully for her. What a great lesson to parents this year....you may start this process thinking you will know where you will end up when in the end that's not the case at all! I'm so happy for your d!

Sarahsmom42 · 09-09-2007, 04:15 PM

evasmom,
Warm smile coming your way.. I'm so happy for your D and for you. Isn't it such a relief to know that she's settled and happy? I'll though I'm thrilled for my D, I am really missing her today. It was strange to go to church w/out her. I guess I'll just have to step up to the plate now that I have more time and join the choir!

evasmom · 09-10-2007, 07:02 AM

Haha, I'm reading novels and staying caught with my laundry! Which is a first! Yesterday was hard for me also, I think it's just the natural progression of adjusting... starting to feel real and harder to pretend she is at a friend's house for the night.

StickerShock · 09-10-2007, 12:04 PM

Evasmom, please keep posting about your D's experiences. We kind of fell into Westminster when a jam packed summer eliminated other music theater options. D did their Music Theater Workshop in July/August & had a great experience. It was held at Rider, not the WMC campus, though. Frank Abrahams ran the summer program & it was staffed with mostly WMC faculty. I'm sure your D will have a great year.

ray198 · 03-22-2008, 01:59 AM

Hi, I am new to this sort of thing, but I have read so many informative and supportive comments that I thought I would give it a try. My D has been accepted to Westminster for Vocal Performance and loves the location and got a great "feel" for the school. She has also been accepted at BOCO and Hartt and hopefully will soon hear from Purchase Conservatory and Hofstra. Any advice on which to choose, pro's and con's, would be really helpful. Which of the these is really the best for vocal performance?

Thanks.

evasmom · 03-22-2008, 09:46 AM

ray198 - Congratulations on the nice choices your D has for next year! I can say that my D is learning a ton at WCC and is very happy with her choice. The approach to all the majors is vocal health first, from what my D tells me. Everything is based on developing a good foundation.
Making the decision of where to go is difficult, but I would advise to trust her instincts. My D knew somehow that Westminster was the right fit for her after her audition day, but we went back for the Accepted Student Day and although there was some trepidation about making such a huge decision, that day confirmed for her that she would get what she needed at WCC.
It is a very different atomosphere from the other schools on your D's list. So if she wants a larger environment, Westminster is not going to provide that. For someone who is looking for personal attention and an atmosphere where everyone (EVERYONE) sings ... then WCC fits! Also, Princeton is a very cool place to be a college student.
Good luck and if your D would like to ask mine any questions I can send you a private message with her contact info.