<p>Does anybody have advice/experience with USC Thornton Music school, NYU Clive Davis Recorded Music program/ Berklee School of Music (all in U.S.) or Institute of Contemporary Music, Academy of Contemporary Music, or LIPA ( all in U.K.) My daughter is a junior, IB student in Europe and is a singer/songwriter wanting to pursue this. The places listed above are some options we have identified - would appreciate any information anyone can give.
Our daughter has EU & American citizenship so much is possible - U.K. being cheaper than U.S. But the goal would be the best program to get her off to a good start in this field.</p>
<p>lots of information and expertise in the [Music</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/]Music”>Music Major - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>The only one I have even heard of is Berklee.</p>
<p>thanks for the link about Music Major but that is dealing mainly with classical music, not popular music degrees as far as I can tell</p>
<p>The music major thread is naturally skewed to classical, since the majority of music students and departments focus on classical music. The study of popular music is a relatively newer field. For the longest time, Berklee was the only player.
Do a search in the music major forum on Berklee, NYU and USC. Several students and parents post on both in regards to popular music. Or post this question there. I promise…you will get thoughtful responses.</p>
<p>Also check out the Frost School at U of Miami and Belmont University in Nashville. I know Berklee best – it has terrific summer programs (info on their website) that could give her a chance to sample what the school is like.</p>
<p>[The</a> New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music](<a href=“http://www.newschool.edu/jazz/]The”>School of Jazz | College of Performing Arts | The New School) it’s actually Jazz and Contemporary Music, based in New York City and has a fine reputation.
[The</a> New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_School_for_Jazz_and_Contemporary_Music]The”>School of Jazz and Contemporary Music - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Go to a place where you can get a joint degree in music and business. I know Denver and American have them. </p>
<p>Doesn’t Cal Arts have a program?</p>
<p>For popular performance, Berklee School of Music is the top choice of many vocalists. My children have attended summer music programs there and I was very impressed by the school. You should research their vocal offerings. Both of my kids have friends who are popular/jazz vocalists and all have Berklee on their short list.</p>
<p>thanks for the tips, I will check out Cal Arts & the New School for Jazz & Cont. music, I think Miami and Belmont are ruled out.<br>
I understand Berklee has a good reputation but have read so many poor student reviews that it is a concern. Encouraging to hear they have a good summer program. Am just trying to find out if students are satisified at NYU Clive Davis, Berklee and USC Thornton.<br>
The tip about joint degree in business/music is a good one, at ICMP in London, they do prepare songwriters for the entreprenurial aspect of it as well- am just not thrilled about the area in London where the school is based, not the safest at night. On the other hand, I’ve also read it’s not safe outside of campus at USC. That’s why it would be good to hear student experiences. thanks again.</p>
<p>I recommend not worrying much about the bad reviews. Music schools in particular are about finding the right fit. Berklee is a great school for those it fits, and not so great for those it doesn’t fit. If your daughter would like a school that is pretty much all about music, all the time, set in the middle of the city (ie, without a campus), then it might be the right fit. If she wants “a normal college experience,” then it probably isn’t the right fit for her.</p>
<p>Thanks MusicDad, that is good advice. I am really trying to weigh the benefits of London institutions vs. those in U.S. and see where students feel most satisfied, and where they felt better able to prepare themselves for a career through what they learned and the connections they made. The place we looked at in London was also without campus and in the middle of London, and all music all the time (including songwriting and business aspects as well), and my daughter really liked it. I am thinking if she goes to school in London, chances are she will find work and stay there, and if in the U.S., then rather there. Maybe it boils down to that and where she gets in. You parents who already have kids who are settled in somewhere are lucky!</p>
<p>The Clive Davis Recorded Music program is an excellent one and is very selective in admissions. It is a program for students who want to be music entrepreneurs. Although there are certainly kids who are singers/songwriters in the program, that is not the primary focus. It is more of a business program for artists, with some of the course work being taken through Stern, NYU’s business school. I would not necessarily recommend this program for someone whose primary goal is to become a pop singer, although the chances for employment and success are likely higher than they would be for most other paths to pop music success.</p>
<p>Another idea: the Jazz Studies program at Howard University is famous. If a student does the joint music/business program at American University, s/he can take classes at Howard as part of the degree program. And there are jazz and blues artists all over the DC area (my d. has studied with some, as well as singing with a gospel choir started by someone from the Environmental Protection Agency.)</p>
<p>Also look at the UNT music program. It’s extremely famous for its music program, particularly in the jazz area.</p>
<p>@alwaysamom…thanks for that. My daughter did look at the Clive Davis Recorded Music program, and was a little uncertain how much songwriting vs. business that program offers but had the impression, as you say, it is alot of music business for artists. As you say, chances for employment are much greater, a student who comes out of that has a much greater appreciation for how to make a living in the music industry. As you say, it is highly competitive, all the popular music performance programs are…so I guess she will just need to apply and see what happens. I would guess in NY you can find opportunities to perform your songs and get more experience.</p>
<p>Some fo you mentioned jazz, but that is not really a goal for my daughter. Still, very interesting what is out there! For kids interested in jazz, super!</p>
<p>Berklee has an online songwriting course through Coursera (free–just register and sign up) which just started last week (may still be able to join) It is excellent and may give some insight as to how the school operates.</p>
<p>Columbia College - Chicago
Belmont University
Bergen Community College
Berklee College of Music
Catawba College
McNally Smith College of Music
Middle Tennessee State University
New York University
The University of Colorado Denver
The University of Miami
The University of Memphis
The University of Southern California</p>