First, background on the student. D is a junior. Loves “modern” music, but not interested in orchestra, jazz, or other music opportunities at the HS (although she is taking the music theory class). Colleges that are only focused on big bands or jazz probably aren’t a fit. Unfortunately, D was born into a family not very musically in the know/talented, but doing my best to support. Has been taking 2 years of private piano lessons while also picking up guitar “on the side” and wants to start voice lessons. Would actually like to learn drums and bass too. Has done some piano performances and open “mics”, and written a few songs. But I think she’s held by the opportunities available now, and her growth will take off in a more immersive musical environment. Her private teachers speak highly of her ability, and a session we had with a professor went very well. He even felt she probably has perfect pitch. She does need to work on sight reading (she usually plays by ear). She understands college isn’t about becoming a “rock star” but finding a career path of which performing is one of several possible majors/concentrations. However, really needs to get there and experience it to find here path. Also has shown some interest in music therapy as a major, but would want to continue with performing/creating. Fairly easy to find a list of schools with music therapy majors, and it isn’t a long list. A little harder to determine which schools also have contemporary/commercial music programs. Some schools that appear to match are:
Shenandoah Conservatory - visited
Petrie School of Music at Converse College - visited
Belmont
Berklee
Frost School of Music
App State
Other suggestions or comments on these are welcome.
Concerns/Questions:
Does majoring in music therapy greatly hinder the ability to also study/progress as a creative/performer (beyond that doing more requires more effort)? The impression from our visit to Shenandoah was that it does there. At the smaller PSoM the impression I got was that it does not.
Is it safe to say that at prestigious schools there may be more opportunities for contemporary music students, but the competition for them may be higher and students with less experience may struggle to get them? I would guess this is true for any music major, and getting an accurate assessment of where the school sees them after auditions is key.
At bigger or more prestigious schools, are students more expected to have a specific concentration right away? As they progress, is it more difficult at certain schools for a student to explore multiple instruments and areas of study?
My daughter applied to the CMED program at Shenandoah (her 1st choice) and was not accepted into the program. Was a shock because she has been talking voice lessons since she was 11, attends an Arts High School for vocal performance and is in a gigging band that plays festivals and smaller concerts. She also plays keys, guitar and bass. She got an A in Music Theory currently helps teach the 9th grade Choir at her school, so needless to say - she knows her stuff. For whatever reason, they felt she was not a good fit. Personally, I think they had too many vocalists, but I can’t be sure. Could be she had a crappy audition, we will never know.
Berklee - My concern for my daughter’s personal wants, is that they are an arts school. Not that is a bad thing, my daughter wanted to take things like different History and Forensics . It has a great Performance degree and Music Therapy but is limited on other things. Depends on what your daughter is looking for. Plus they only offer housing the 1st year.
Frost School - They only offer housing for the 1st year and it is HUGE! Not what my daugther was looking for. But great school.
Belmont - very religious school. They absorbed a smaller college and promply fired al the staff that wasn’t Catholic. We are Jewish and that did not sit well with me. From the pictures, the facilities look amazing!
Petrie - don’t know a thing about it.
App State - Way to big for my daughter so we never looked at it, but I have heard good things!
Another place you might want to consider is Loyola New Orleans. Thety have a Contemporary Music and Music Therapy.
My daughter will be attending Elon University in the Fall taking Music Production and Recording Arts. They don’t have Music Therapy though.
I cant speak to your other questions. my daughter has been pretty specific with what she wanted to do since she was 9, My advice to you is she tries any and all schools that she even has a mild interest in and she will end up where she is supposed to be.
@ToneDef I sent you a private message (upper right near your avatar) with a list of schools for commercial and music tech.
It is unclear whether your daughter anticipates a BM program. You and she might want to read the Double Degree Dilemma essay in the Read Me thread here on the music major forum.
A BM will be 2/3-3/4 music classes and a BA would be 1/4-1/3 music classes. Some BM programs- not all- want a narrower focus. Some BA programs work well for a kid who is multi-faceted musically but also wants more academic classes. It sounds like she is, right now, headed for a contemporary music program, as long as she continues to progress. Some music therapy programs are grad level and that is an option too- to do performance undergrad and music therapy for grad.
Of course her interests and goals may change over the next year and over the undergrad years She can apply to a variety of options and decide at the end of senior year unless she does early decision.
Look at CU Denver (Not DU Denver University). All contemporary. Look at MEIS (Music and Entertainment Industry Studies) which is part of CAM (College of Art and Media).
This is not my area of expertise, but in looking at the numbers of students majoring in music therapy and various music majors and/or opportunities, these are some additional schools that your family may want to consider. As your list of schools focused on the eastern half of the U.S., I limited my search to those same geographic parameters.
Elann – Wow, your daughter sounds very talented. An example of the students out there with a lot more experience than mine and I wonder how my daughter will stack up. Like you said, I believe they’ll end up where they are supposed to be. As yours wound up in NC, I’m curious if you looked at UNC Greensboro’s “PopTech” major?
Compmom – Yeah, she is definitely one that will prefer the BM route. She gets so hyper focused on things, which I think helps with music but not some other courses. She looks forward to getting out of most of those other courses and focusing on her interests. 3.9 weighted gpa but this year there’s been a class that hasn’t matched with her learning style and just getting by. Hopefully won’t bring the GPA down too far. Interest aside, she’s also not going to be one of those top quartile students that probably makes it easier to get into the BA programs at most liberal arts colleges who are probably weighing that side more than a BM program would.
Hey can I get your list of schools for BM in Music Recording/Engineering? My son is a current junior, excellent horn player (among others), but wants to study guitar (commercial music) and/or Recording Arts & Technology in college. Would love to compare your list with what’s already on my radar. TIA
Have you looked into possible summer programs at any of the schools you listed? Summer programs can be simple but great way to explore schools/subjects/opportunities available.
She can apply to a variety of options and decide at the end of senior year unless she does early decision.