I think that is a good attitude, also to not necessarily follow what others say are ‘the best programs’ or ‘the ones that will get you into a good music school’, that fails because the first is an opinion that lacks context, the second because there is no such thing in music education/experience. Programs can help a kid focus on what they want to do, drive them forward and introduce them to possible teachers/networking, but I don’t know a program that acts like that (it isn’t like prep schools with Ivy league football). Obviously if a program really hits home with a student, then doing it again may be a good thing. But in music diversity does help a great deal, most musicians end up having multiple teachers for example or coaches. The one truth path nonsense I have heard is just that, there are benefits to things in music, there are things that help pave the way, no doubt, but one true path, no. My son’s group is very successful, they are getting up there in terms of audience and bookings and the like, they did a competition and were told by a member of the jury (this was a European competition) that unless they went and studied in Europe, they would never amount to anything shrug .
I agree that the difference is not so much in the actual music study (bx a free standing conservatory and a conservatory in a university or LAC). There will be a lot of similarities. And, if you get a BM at NEC or Indiana or Oberlin, the music course work should be similar (some of the music electives could be a bit lighter at a U or LAC). BTW, all parents and students can request (or look up) the semester by semester curriculum for a BM at schools. It is a very good document to get your hands on. Note that universities or LACs may require a science credit with a lab, for example (that a free standing conservatory may not require). So you may have more academics required by the U or LAC. The curriculum will show that.
I would also point out that it is easier to transfer out of music at a university or LAC. It is not uncommon for kids to decide music is not their passion once in the college environment. At a free standing conservatory you may have to change schools. At a U or LAC, it would be more seamless to change majors. This was important to me…the flexibility. Also the academic course work outside of the conservatory mattered to my D. She wanted a wider curriculum.
So students looking for more class work outside music (or the potential to change, add a non-music minor etc) may benefit from a U or LAC. Still you would get a very similar BM particularly if you can use AP class credits and decide to really focus on music classes once you arrive (and do decide music is for you). You could be doing mainly music at most Us or LACs junior year up.
Edit: I may have posted this is the wrong thread. Oops!
We did just this for all the sschools my son was applying to because he “wanted to take the fewest academic classes possible and focus on music.” He is at the one with the most academic core requirements…hahaha…go figure…because it ultimately came down to the vibe of the department AND the professor he wanted to work with.
Taking the “least academic classes” is a goal for my kid too - what schools met that criteria best?
Well written, and I agree totally. In the end it really comes down to what the student is looking for, what drives them. My S went to a stand alone conservatory UG and for grad school a music school in a university. He liked being on a university campus after being at a stand alone, felt part of something bigger than he had experienced. He went there for the teacher, and it turned out it had a lot more than that for him. Knowing the way music is taught, if the programs are roughly at the same level, the BM will be very similar across any type of music school.
My kid did the opposite. He went to a conservatory type within a university for undergrad. Very music heavy courseload, but he liked the core course requirements as a “break”. Plus one was personal finance which has said was one of the best courses he ever took.
Then he went to a conservatory for grad school…and loved being totally immersed in his music…and nothing else.
Just a couple more general comments to people in “wait mode” on prescreens and lurkers on school fit - riffing on the comments above:
@thumper1 -taking a “break”, yes, this can be important for some kids. At IU, it was called “being in the Jacob’s bubble”. I’ve heard similar references at other schools. It’s not high school anymore…and college music can be intense. My D loved getting a break from it…even if it was going to a coffee house NOT in the music school area to escape, even for a couple of hours, the constant chatter in the music school.
My D’s favorite college class was a upper level literature class. She felt that it really broaden her perspective and loved the teacher. Again a nice little break from classes primarily with the same people for 4 years (even at one of the “biggest” music schools…they aint that big in the end!).
As @Shellg shows - kids can change their minds during the process. It is very common to enter with one set of assumptions…and come out the other end…changed! So having some variety in your school list is a good thing…just in case your kids tells you in Feb while in a cold rental car after an audition…I don’t think an LAC is right for me…and most schools on her list were LACS. That was a bummer…but it got her to the right choice in the end.
Yes. If you read my post, I said “do THEM” - I was referring to summer music festivals, not 4 years of BUTI, lol.
She misunderstood me. I didn’t mean 4 years of BUTI. I was referring to doing summer festivals every summer in general.
Thank you for clarifying that your post didn’t JUST mean BUTI…that was the only referent in that post.
But good that your student is looking for other options…there are so many of them, and many are excellent!
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