<p>To tag onto Mezzo’sMama’s post, I didn’t see the comments earlier in the string as anti-conservatory. This whole business of figuring out where to apply–and being realistic about cost–is a big part of the consideration process at this time of year. </p>
<p>My DD is a sophomore VP major at Peabody. So, we went the conservatory route, though not without A LOT of soul-searching and tough discussions about cost. We were fortunate enough to be able to send her to a conservatory even though the cost is astronomical. And, although we experienced many of the beautiful and inspirational scenes at Peabody that Mezzo’sMama described and were very taken by them, we came quite close to choosing our state U’s music program because of cost. The more affordable programs she was admitted to had many wonderful things going for them as well. A dream can be pursued in many different venues, and a dream can ultimately be squashed by crushing debt. We chose the conservatory after sifting through many, many considerations…studio and teacher, location, general atmosphere, learning style, academic oversight, music opportunity…and decided to bite the bullet on cost. So far, we’re good with the decision.</p>
<p>So, I don’t see the struggle and consideration of cost as being anti-conservatory, but as being part of the very complicated decision-making process that goes into finding the right fit for studying music.</p>