Hi I am a high school senior who was recently accepted into Longy Conservatory of Music, Hartt School for Performing Arts, Azusa Pacific School of Music and Gordon College all for BM in vocal performance. I also got into Westminster only for the BAM. I got high scholarships from Westminster, Gordon and Azusa and only 11 to 12,000 to the other schools.
I have no idea which schools are better and whether a BAM is worth my time even if it is from Westminster Choir college? Any advice please?
Have you taken sample lessons with the teachers at any of these schools? That might help. The professor on your instrument is someone you will see every week for four years, so it’s important that you click. My son is at Hartt, and is very happy there. Are you a singer? What are your career goals? The answers to those questions might help people give you advice.
The award you describe from Hartt pretty typical, although you can appeal it. There is a process and a deadline in April for that, so you or your parents should contact the financial aid office about that.
Your advice is so helpful…thank you! I guess it makes a big difference what the faculty is like and whether you can work together. .I will schedule lessons and also I will check into the financial aid. I did not know that you appeal an award.
Also it is helpful to know that your son has enjoyed going to the Hartt School. I visited Hartt twice and both times I felt that the students were pretty down to earth and friendly, which is important to me also.
My S is a junior VP major at Westminster. His roommate started as a BAM and then auditioned for the VP program as a sophomore and was accepted. So it is possible. Plus, almost all of their freshman and soph year classes were the same - the only difference was in voice teacher (some voice teachers only take VP majors).
Thank you that is an excellent point and it is important to know that the school is flexible.
I am interested in Opera and was wondering if anyone knew whether either Hartt, or Westminster would be better?
Can’t say anything about Hartt, but my S (who aspires to an operatic career) has been very happy with Westminster. His voice training has been excellent and he has had several opportunities to perform - recitals, song festivals, chorus in the Westminster opera and Opera New Jersey, and a lead in the undergraduate opera theatre. Students do have to sing in a choir for all four years, but S enjoys it. He has had opportunities to travel with the choirs and sing with the New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Symphony. The Westminster Choir is also the resident opera chorus at the Spoleto Festival every summer.