Tufts website doesn’t have the NEC double degree program. Instead it focuses on Tufts own 5 year BA/MA program. There has been an MA in music there for as long as I can remember. Perhaps the NEC double degree affected Tufts own program, which is excellent but not an MM. Fifth-Year Master’s Degree Program: BA/MA in Music | Department of Music
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It was completely Tufts that ended it (surprised NEC), this article explains what happened: Students, faculty mourn end of Tufts/NEC dual degree program - The Tufts Daily
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@77mom makes sense. One thing that doesn’t get covered much is the extra expense of double degree programs at NEC. My kid did not do the double degree at Harvard for that reason. Instead, it may be possible for students to study privately with an NEC teacher, at less cost than the double degree program (and funded often by the college).
I thought it was in interesting point that some at Tufts believe a double degree BA/MM requires “immersive” pre-college preparation, and therefore access is limited. Not sure I agree but then again, the students I know who did a BA then MM did not do it through a double degree program.
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I think I understand why they felt like it was prep students getting in . The BA/MM joint programs (like Juilliard/Columbia) in a sense assumes the students getting into it are ready for higher level study at the MM level, Whereas with the BA/BM the level is a student who is ready to play at the undergrad conservatory level. The kids getting into the BA/MM programs almost always are kids who are coming out of high level music prep programs, even some who are already working professionally (rare, but it does happen).
The kids doing a BA then applying for an MM have had 4 years of learning and practicing to build up to the MM level. In the joint BA/MM you basically are working on an MM degree simultaneously and while the kids take lessons with the teacher starting year 1, the idea is you come out with your Masters pretty much done by the time you would normally just get your BA (that varies).
And obviously this varies, the instrument would effect this, it could be very, very different with orchestral instruments and with solo instruments, my experience of these programs was kids on piano,violin, cello and viola, and most of the kids who get into the BA/MM programs are advanced prep students or otherwise have had high level teaching, and acccess to that is uneven.
From what little I have read of the Tufts program (I don’t even know it was ba/bm), it sounds a little like the program at JHU/Peabody, that the logistics of doing it are hard on the kids because it is two different campuses separated by quite a distance and I would gather there is little attempt for these kids to have schedules that allow easy going back and forth. I don’t know how the program there works, but if the kid has to take music theory and air training at NEC, do orchestra there as well as lessons, that would be difficult. The cost I am sure is a factor (being the cynic I am, more on the university side then the student one) and also I wonder if even with this program the administrators felt it was somehow catering to a small group of ‘elite’ students at a high cost, that the money could be better spent elsewhere on other programs (that is pure speculation and it doesn’t reflect my own opinion, it is why I put elite in quotes).
@old_music_prnt the $400k price tag must have been a factor! And the long slog, schedule conflicts, workload, small number of students etc.
Harvard and other schools have changed their curricula for music majors to allow for more access for those who practice in genres other than traditional classical, and for those who did not have access to that conservatory prep classical training before college. The classical track is still available and of course the double degree with NEC.
Well before Harvard and others made changes to their music curricula, Tufts was more accessible in its own music program to a variety of students and maybe that was a priority too.
I think Tufts spending $400k for 14 students total, many of whom were stressed by the program and probably all of whom were “elite” musicians, was probably not wise. Talented students can take private lessons in the Boston area and do the music curriculum at Tufts with much the same result as the BA/BM I think. And less cost, less stress, better undergrad experience on one campus.
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That is a good point about the program, and yes, kids can do that, they can take music classes at Tufts and have a teacher for lessons, and take theory and whatnot (at least should be able to). Harvard like most if not all the Ivies doesn’t offer a BM degree, but they have orchestras and they will pay for lessons for the kids, plus their own music departments can offer them theory and ear training and the like. Among other things elite schools like that are proud of their orchestras and they definitely give weight to kids who are musically advanced in entrance (the kids are generally also academic up there kids, too, it isn’t like sports). A number of the kids who graduated with my son from prep were going that route, getting the degree from an elite university while continuing to do music.
Does anyone know if University of Michigan SMTD asks for additional letters of recommendation? My son has his high school orchestra conductor in the Common App, but not his private teacher. Wondering if we should add his private teacher to the Common App?
I found my own answer :). Kids will submit 1-3 letters of recommendation with the Artistic Profile.
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First college audition at U of Puget Sound went really well. They offered D admission and are recommending her for one of the scholarships. She was so nervous beforehand and was visibly relieved afterwards talking with the director. The whole setup was really thoughtful. Clear signs for where to go and a student to escort her to the practice room then they showed us to the parent lounge. There were school representatives there to answer questions. The other parents there were all really friendly too. The director said they will send something official out soon.
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Congrats! Glad the experience was good and you had a great outcome! Auditions can be stressful, my son had an audition where we had to fly on the red eye overnight from LA to Boston, for a morning audition. I was in the middle of an aweful respiratory infection, not fun (but he did get in:).
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S25 auditioned on Saturday at Belmont University for Commercial Music, Percussion. Very well organized and informative. Plenty of students available to help point students in the right direction. Dean of College of Performing Arts and Admissions person answered plenty of questions in group information session. He should find out in 2-4 weeks, and music merit by mid December. Music merit stacks on any admissions merit received.
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Double major is hard to do at Rice for music majors, especially in STEM field - those programs have lab work that clashes with orchestral and chamber group rehearsals’ schedule. It is not encouraged, but doable. I know a couple of kids working on Music Degree at Shepherd, and focusing on Sociology, that was the pass my daughter explored.
Know of kids reconsidering their double majoring at JHU/Peabody because of the distance between two campuses.
Do you know how long it takes to get a request for Emory music supplement?
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I think D23 had live audition mid November, but she applied for Emory Music Merit Scholarship. Not sure if process is different for general Music Major application process.
Mine also indicated interest in that scholarship. Since we need to fly to audition, it would be nice to know ahead of time if he is even invited to audition. So far they haven’t even asked for a supplement.
Do you remember the process? Mine applied Nov. 1.
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I would reach out to Emory admissions office. I think there is contact information listed on admissions and scholarships pages. Great question to ask!
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My son applied for the scholarship and reached out to the orchestra director to arrange a prescreen and then audition.
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We are debating how much longer to wait. The page clearly says admissions will request it, but when? Aggggg.
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Don’t wait, reach out to admissions and Dr Bhasin. Good luck!!!
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He was wonderful!!
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