<p>Hello everyone. This is my first post on collegeconfidential, so I’m interested to see how it goes. A bit about me…My name is Sarah, I’m about to turn 21 and I just finished my sophomore year of college. I did a lot of theatre and musical theatre throughout my entire life, went to arts high school for theatre, have taken voice lessons since sophomore year of high school and guitar lessons for about a year (before that I fiddled around a lot on my own). My freshman year of college I majored in acting and then decided I didn’t want to do it professionally, then I took a gap year, then I explored a bunch of gen eds my sophomore year, and now I finally must choose my major. I have decided that I should study the art which has always been my greatest love - music. I feel happiest when I am writing songs, practicing voice and guitar, and performing. For a little while I’ve been afraid to take the plunge and follow my dreams to become a starving singer/songwriter, but I have realized there’s nothing I would rather study for as much as that and if I don’t go for it now I will definitely regret it later.</p>
<p>All that being said, I want to hear your ideas about where I could get the best education for the things I want to learn about and the way I want to do it. When I enter, I will have completed the majority of gen ed requirements any school would require. I want to be absolutely challenged in music school. I want to learn how to write marketable music, but I also want a school that will nurture my own creativity and not limit my style and potential. I want a school where the teachers care, but push me very hard. I want the **** kicked out of me. I want to live and breathe music so much for the remaining two years of my education so that I will come out with the skills I need to make music make me money in whatever way I choose. I want to learn songwriting techniques, melody, harmony, keyboarding, music technology, arranging, music history, business, theory, counterpoint, ear training, performance techniques, recording, etc. I want to be able to come out of this not only with the knowledge and ability to write my own music very well, but also I want to have the tools to produce it and promote it. </p>
<p>Hopefully that gives you a good idea of what I’m aiming for. I’m thinking about applying to Berklee, CalArts, USC, NYU, or anywhere else. Please tell me what you know about these programs and others that would be good for contemporary composition and performance. I’m also very interested in any other advice you might have on the topic. I really appreciate it!</p>
<p>Maybe do a a search for “songwriting,” “USC Thornton,” etc.</p>
<p>You already have most of the best schools that I have heard of on your list (others on here know more about this than I do though). </p>
<p>I would also look into Belmont. Others will chime in with ideas.</p>
<p>Have you taken music theory classes as yet? It is possible that for some of these schools, you may have exceeded gen ed requirements, but nothing lost: you have learned a lot and clarified your goals by taking them. Also, some music majors are sequential, so you may need more than two years to finish. Not to discourage you, only to prepare you, and I could be wrong.</p>
<p>You are off to a good start with your list. One thing to consider as you apply and make choices is how will schools view the classes you have already taken. If you have already taken theory and ear training, I understand from my daughter’s experience that Berklee will let you test for placement, and will give you credit for classes you test out of in core music. In your gen ed’s, they will give you credit for classes that map to their own liberal arts requirements, so you would have to talk to someone in admissions once you are accepted for them to give you a rough idea on what is likely to get a transfer credit. My daughter was on a pre-med track so her chem and bio transferred in first as science, and then when that was filled up was used as elective credit. Unfortunately for her, not all of her math and science credits found a home, but she made up for it by testing out of much of the core music due to her own prior training in music and theory.</p>
<p>At a school like Berklee, it is not uncommon for many transfer students to be a little older, either because they were performing, touring, earning money for college, or just not sure what path quite yet. You sound like someone that would like the environment there, which for a highly motivated person is live, eat, breathe music.</p>
<p>Keep us posted on your progress. I think Berklee’s application deadline for January semester start is near July 1st … if you get your stuff together you could be auditioning in August and moving to Boston in January.</p>
<p>Sarah, while I hope you find your fit, I do need to disabuse you of a few underlying assumptions in this section of your post so that you make wise choices for your circumstances:</p>
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<p>First off, you are not likely in most programs I know about that even cover this wide range of related but distinct disciplines, to complete any of it in TWO YEARS – particularly to the level you’re describing. In terms of most programs, you’ll likely have almost 3.5 - 4 years MORE ahead of you to acquire a BMus degree if that’s the route you go.</p>
<p>Courses are sequential. You have to first have the skill to get in, then build the skill over several semesters, etc. That is why attending a music program is kind of like “starting over” – not that there’s anything wrong with that. However, just make sure you’re first prepared financially for this possibility, and research what’s transferable.</p>
<p>Secondly, while it’s “possible” to study a program that combines COURSES in performance, songwriting, composition, music technology and production skills, arranging, history and business, MOST decent schools/conservatories offer SPECIALIZATION in one or two of those fields. So I think you may wish to adjust your expectations accordingly. You kind of have to pick width or depth – don’t really get both in a mere four years.
SO FOCUS NOW.</p>
<p>That said, NYU Tisch Clive Davis RA does indeed at least touch on many items on your list insofar as performance/production/promotions…weaker on the more traditional musical background areas though …</p>
<p>Lastly, nobody is going to teach you how to make music make you money any way you want. Period. You may be given the tools to TEACH YOURSELF how to do that, but it is otherwise a tall order in need of some seasoning :)</p>
<p>What were the things that had you determine that acting was not for you? And what school were you at?</p>