Hi. My DS is a HS junior with about a 3.6. GPA. He’s a lyric baritone with lots of professional experience before voice change and lots of lessons since. Is working with a consultant as well as voice teacher and coach and a conducting teacher and going to a summer program. Has trial lessons (including a call back) in the pipeline. We don’t need much aid. Reassure me he’ll get in somewhere.
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He most likely will, especially if he is training with a private voice teacher. Where is he planning to go? Do you have a college list yet?
We are working on college list. He really wants urban setting. He loves Frost. But also many Boston through DC corridor and possibly St Olaf and California. Isn’t open to Oberlin, Lawrence, OKC.
There are schools that have no auditions. So there will be schools for him.
But given he has professional help, I think they’d best guide you and if they tell you that you’re in good shape, then I’d think so for somewhere.
But you might have to make tradeoffs.
I believe Muhlenberg does not require audition for music and many music parents on here speak highly of it. It appears audition is for scholarship purposes only.
OK. Would he be okay with a school like NYU. How are his grades and what classes has he taken? How much are you willing to fund? Has he looked at Ithaca or UDel?
NYU is his top choice. We can fund. He just needs to do what he has to do to get in. I’m not musical so I have no clue if he has what they want.
They’ll want an audition. I’ll link the audition requirements page below. It will be the second
Or does he want the BA?
He will get in somewhere! If you really want to add a consultant, I can recommend an organization if you want to message me. My post was flagged because we aren’t supposed to do recommendations, I guess? Apologies, I have done this in the past with no issues
They have an arts assessment which is not a full college consultant and a little less expensive. We felt we needed another opinion on repertoire and where our son compared to his peers. They’ll have him sing for a few college faculty and they’ll give feedback. It was very helpful and reassuring.
Summer programs are also really valuable for this purpose. Visiting schools and having trial lessons is also important so he can see the type of environment that appeals to him.
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good luck!
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Reminder that it is against the forum rules to promote/suggest paid consulting services.
Posts hidden.
Thanks to all for your understanding!
The music forum here is pretty helpful. I am not sure why he would avoid auditions.
Maybe you and he could read the “Double Degree Dilemma” essay in the Read Me section on the top of the music forum. Options are BM, BA music major, BA double major, BA other major/music minor, BM/BA or BA/MM double degrees. A final option would be majoring in something else and continuing with lessons and extracurricular performance (and electives).
The Double Degree Dilemma essay is not really about double degrees but uses hypothetical students and covers the various options that way.
Does your son want immersion in music? A BM is 2/3-3/4 music. A BA is 1/4-1/3 music. It sounds like he would be a great candidate either way. For the BM he would probably do prescreens and auditions. For a BA he would benefit from a music supplement with video/recording, music resume and music letters of reference.
He is fortunate that you can pay since his apparent preferences may depend on that. Boston has NEC, Boston Conservatory (merged with Berklee); NYC has Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, and Mannes at the New School. Peabody is in Baltimore. Curtis is in Philadelphia. There is also Ithaca, Hartt (CT), Temple Boyer. People have mentioned Shenandoah. U of Puget Sound on the west coast. Many others.
Some kids with music experience find they have a better chance at more selective BA programs (with supplement) than they expected. If he wants to go in that direction we can make suggestions. His GPA is 3.6 and we don’t know his scores.
Curious why you are asking if he will get in anywhere. Is he applying to any freestanding conservatories?
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Sorry- I have named this in the past with no issues. I have edited my post.
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I’m sorry too. First time here. Won’t do it again!
He’s not at all avoiding auditions. I don’t know if/how I implied that. He’s totally fine to audition! He just hasn’t been doing competitions and professional stuff since a tough voice change. I’m worried only because I worry about him in so many ways and I have no idea if he is “good” or not. I’m not a musician, just a supportive mom.
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For voice in an urban setting, I would think about DePaul. We know a very high-level HS vocalist heading there to major in vocal performance.
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But you said this. They will help you far more than you can get here and if these folks are experienced and successful, they will be your best guide.
After all, they are working with your son regularly.
And it sounds like you are providing him with all the opportunities you can. So you’ve done your part. Nature will decide the rest.
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On the list! Thx
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If this student wants a BM in Vocal Performance, he will need to audition.
If he wants a BA in Music, he won’t need to audition…in most cases.
My kid is a professional musician so I’ve done this rodeo. Our kid got great advice from his private instrument teacher, his HS music teacher, the conductor of his precollege orchestra, his summer program ensemble and private teachers. All knew his level of playing and had great suggestions of college programs for him to consider. There was a considerable amount of overlap in terms of those recommendations. The key ingredients for my kid were the private applied instrument teacher and the strength of the ensembles. He also wanted to be in an urban area for access to great music, and performing opportunities.
So…agreeing with above posters…your son should talk to the people who know him best, and see what their suggestions are. My guess is they will be a HUGE help in terms of teasing out where to apply.
There are also some excellent music departments as part of larger universities. Would your son be interested in that? They are sort of like conservatories within the university. My kid attended Boston University, the applied teacher on his instrument is particularly strong there.
So…research those kinds of music programs as well.
In terms of “is he good enough?” His current professionals should be able to advise him on where he would best apply.
If this makes you feel better, I would venture to say many of the experienced music parents on this forum felt the same way. It is a scary process!
Trust your son and his mentors/teachers. He will find a place that is right for him.
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