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new paltz school of music??

djalabingodjalabingo Registered User Posts: 58 Junior Member
edited September 2010 in SUNY - General
does anybody attend new paltz and knows about the school of music and its reputation?
either from being in the program or knowing people in the program?

I'm a 21 year old transfer from rochester,ny who just received his associates from monroe community college.

I'd like to apply for the contemporary music studies program OR the jazz studies program. my audition instrument is the jazz drumset and im planning on for my audition date to be march 28th, it would be earlier but my audition to purchase is on march 7th(thats only if purchase asks me to audition live).

Does anyone know how new paltz stacks up to purchase..music wise?
Post edited by djalabingo on
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Replies to: new paltz school of music??

  • musmom2musmom2 Registered User Posts: 500 Member
    Hi dj...
    Yesterday I saw your posts on the music forum too. I think NewPaltz has the reputation of being one of the up and coming SUNYs generally speaking, I can't really compare the music department. THe fact that they require an audition is a good thing. I had thought about suggesting that you look at SUNY Oswego also, if you are interested in a closer to home or just-in-case option. There is a terrific young jazz percussionist (Eastman DMA in progress) on faculty there. My S plays (trombone) in the jazz ensemble he directs. There is also a jazz quartet (Oswego Jazz Project) consisting of this drummer, piano and woodwind profs and a student bassist. They are trying to get the word out locally about jazz, have recorded 2 CDs and have a weekly jam session in one of the local restaurants. THey have played several times in NYC. The course offerings at New Paltz look more extensive than Oswego's (Oswego's degree is a music BA), just make sure that with the upcoming budget cuts you would actually be able to get everything you need in a timely manner. I have a bit of knowledge of Purchase, as my D auditioned there for vocal performance last year (but did not get in!), but no real sense of what it's like once you are there! Have heard that it is somewhat of a "commuter school" and largely empties out on the weekend. Good luck in your search and auditions!
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  • eriniggyeriniggy Registered User Posts: 49 Junior Member
    Have you thought about Fredonia? They don't have contemporary music, but they do have TONS of other programs. Pretty much all of the money Fredonia recieves is poured into the music department. It's very selective, but if you do get in, I think it's well worth it. The professors are fantastic & the music building is huge. There are also tons of practice rooms (In fact I think percussion majors get there own. I know someone who pretty much lived out of theirs.)

    Anyways, just a thought. Good luck!
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  • nysmilenysmile Registered User Posts: 5,850 Senior Member
    I always thought that SUNY Fredonia and SUNY Potsdam (Crane School of Music) had the best music programs in the SUNY system. You might want to check them out. If you live in NY, I'm sure your high school music teachers have some knowledge of Fredonia's and Crane's music program.
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  • vahevalavahevala Registered User Posts: 183 Junior Member
    I would agree with nysmile...I am a public high school choral director in WNY and would definitely say Fredonia and Crane top Suny for music.
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  • musmom2musmom2 Registered User Posts: 500 Member
    I don't disagree with the above assessments of Fredonia/Crane, but the O.P. had said elsewhere that he was not interested in either one.
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  • musmom2musmom2 Registered User Posts: 500 Member
    And that he has an audition scheduled for Purchase!
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  • djalabingodjalabingo Registered User Posts: 58 Junior Member
    thanks musmom2!..i shall actually check out oswego now that you have mentioned that! haha just to clear things up a lil' bit, i'm not doubting that crane/fredonia arent top notch schools for music but i have visited both and was not feeling them particularly crane, once again not doubting they are great schools..in fact i know they are..just i feel that when i know a schools right for me ill know..

    which is what i feel from new paltz and purchase..so if anyone can give me further opinion, from either themselves attending or hear say or what have you..on these programs let me know!

    thanks!
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  • nymountainnymountain Registered User Posts: 2 New Member
    djalabingo, I think your impression of Crane is right based on what I've heard from students and recent graduates ... many students seem to have difficulties finishing a degree there, and those who do seem generally unhappy. New Paltz and Purchase might be better choices.
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  • LilyMoonLilyMoon Registered User Posts: 1,832 Senior Member
    My son attends New Paltz but is an art major, so unfortunately not much knowledge of the music dept. However, NP attracts really creative and talented students and is a great environment to learn. In the nice weather there are musicians playing on the streets in town and there are lots of opportunities to showcase live music in the venues in and around New Paltz. We have been very impressed with SUNY New Paltz overall.
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