NU School of Music

singer86
Tue, 08 Mar 2005 23:42:12 +0000

gadad,

Thank you for asking me these questions. This is what is going on with me - I want to study music ed (I love choral music), but still have a well rounded education in liberal arts, and possibly double major - so I figured that NU would be a good fit for me. I absolutely love music, but I still want to challenge myself academically. I have heard that the voice program at NU is not the greatest - yet it really all depends on one’s private voice teacher, since he or she helps to shape the student’s voice. Apparently they are more well known for their brass program. I am glad you are planning to visit - it is extremely important to do that - and it would be ideal to set up a voice lesson with one or more of the faculty to get a feel for the teaching style/personality. I regret not making an appointment for a lesson while I was there, and thus I am most likely returning at some point to have a lesson to help make my decision.

The music facilities at NU are lacking as you say, and during my music ed interview a faculty member mentioned that NU is planning for new construction, but possibly not during my college years. I personally feel that the program and the faculty are more important than the facilities - because really, to a certain extent most music schools do not have amazing facilities - the wear and tear over the years is normal, but unfortunate. Although Ithaca did have very good facilities, now that I think of it.

I was also able to attend a voice recital NU had planned for auditioning music students - which was decent. Of course, one cannot judge a program based upon three students (2 women and a man) in different college years with varying ability levels. The accompanist was excellent, and the hall was nice, it seemed aged but it was functional. The faculty present at the recital seemed very supportive and intelligent, and genuine. However, I wish that I had had a lesson or two while I was there - I would be able to give you a more accurate feeling (I’m a soprano by the way). This is my ultimate decision maker - on the voice teacher.

Questions: is your daughter interested in musical theatre, or classical performance, or both? Or even music ed?

Does she want a liberal arts background? (I’m assuming yes)

What is more important to her, faculty, talent of students, facilities, personal connection to the environment, etc? Ultimately, one make college out of her own work and experiences. So I think that anywhere one goes, one is able to create a better experience as opposed to the next person. Bottom line - If you’re talented and motivated, people will get to know you, and you will succeed anywhere.

Living near NYC, I have become a city girl - and felt very comfortable in the area; there are several great restaurants and the students who I spoke with loved the area - also about 30 min from Chicago.

If your daughter plans on auditioning for NU, I hope she does, the more auditioning experience the better. Make sure she gets to see one of their operas, if it is playing. I saw Suor Angelica, which was good on the whole. The lead had some issues with breathing (needed a lower breath) but tone expression were very good. Overall, I really enjoyed it. It seemed that a lot of the students had experience at summer music festivals, based upon program notes.

Sorry for the length of this, I just kept writing. I hope I have helped you in regard to NU. I am still waiting to hear from them - probably not until April. If anyone else on the forum has opinions on NU music I would love to hear. Thanks very much :)