Which School is Best for You?

Our CEO Alex Stoddard recently received this email from a member of our CS Music Community.

Dear Mr. Stoddard,

I have competed in the CS Music Vocal Competition for the past two years. I am now a senior in high school auditioning for colleges and I have received several acceptances into several different music programs and I’m struggling with what to do next.

What is the best program to get me to the MET? 

I have a big decision to make soon, and I’m not sure what to do. I was hoping you would have some sort of advise on how to proceed.

Hundreds of the best vocal teachers and admission counselors in the nation will be at the annual CS Music Convention and Expo recruiting fair in Chicago, May 23-26. Meet with more than 70 schools and programs and get a head start on recruiting. Join the community there!

From Patty Thom:

Brianna,

You have a nice range of schools, all very different from one another, and so your considerations should be both practical and personal.

Since your goal is to leave your undergraduate program well prepared you need to find a voice teacher who you can trust and a curriculum that appeals to you. As you look at programs ask yourself what is most important to you at this next stage of your musical education and what else do you love to do. Look carefully at the degree “grid” for your intended degree so you know what courses you will be taking and can compare each school to the other. This process might help you prioritize your list.

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Think also about other things you want to study in your undergraduate program. Do you love history? Making other kinds of art? Are you interested in entrepreneurial courses? Might you want to minor in an affiliated or non-affiliated area of study? Check with admissions at each school to find out what is possible in that regard and ask them questions about the values of the community. If you value service to the community and one of the schools on your list has a strong outreach program and shares that value, that’s important information to have.

Then sit down and fantasize about college. In all of these programs, you can take advantage of the large array of offerings from the greater university. If there were a conservatory on your list you would want to ask yourself whether you’re OK having a college experience where your entire academic community is focused on artistic study (usually music). Is it important that your college life include access to or participation in athletic events, Greek life, all those things that come with being part of a university? Then a conservatory is perhaps not going to fulfill your college vision.

Size of program is also a consideration in your list. I think it goes without saying that you want to visit each school you’re serious about. No two schools are alike, and your instinctive response to being in the physical space and to the people you meet is an important factor in your final decision.

Finally there is the financial consideration. If you have no financial concerns then you can make your decision based solely on your attraction to the faculty and the curriculum, to the campus and campus life, and to the setting. If financial aid is a concern, then your financial offers will also play a part in making this decision. Be realistic about the amount of loan debt you want to carry into your young adult life. Have very honest conversations with your parents about how much they are able to help, both up front and in terms of parent loans. Don’t be afraid to educate yourself now about the economic realities of paying for an education.

This advice boils down to three things: do your research, take time to pay attention to your college fantasies, and trust your instincts. And know that you will be fine.

From Cindy Sadler:

Brianna,

There are many important elements to the education of a singer who wishes to pursue a performance career, but the single most important factor is solid vocal technique, and for that reason, my advice to young singers is always to seek a wonderful teacher first, and decide on the institution second. Without a knowledgeable, skilled, caring vocal pedagogue to guide you, your career can be delayed or derailed before it ever starts.

Research the faculty at each institution you’re interested in attending. Research their students — recent graduates and those who have been out in the world for five, ten, fifteen years. If you can, talk to some current and former students and ask about the teacher’s style and teaching philosophy. Contact teachers you’re interested in and ask to have trial lessons (for which you should expect to pay). It’s expensive to travel to each school and take several lessons, but it’s a lot more expensive to pay  tuition for four or more years and discover at the end of it that you do not possess a viable vocal technique; or to discover a year or so in that it’s just not working and you need to transfer.

In selecting a school, there are so many considerations … finances, who is offering you money, and how much; what your educational priorities are and what kind of institution will best fulfill them; what kind of environment suits you best; what performance opportunities are available to you as an undergraduate as opposed to a grad student; whether the culture of the school is one in which you can thrive; what kind of connections you might expect to make, and so forth. Research is your best friend here. Don’t be afraid to ask many questions.

This is such a complicated and important issue that I’ve written a book specifically to answer these questions: The Student Singer’s Starter Kit, available as a download on Amazon.com.

It walks you through what to look for in a teacher and how to find one, selecting a school, preparing your audition, and more; and includes a checklist of nearly 100 questions to consider when choosing a school. Good luck, and feel free to contact me with any specific questions about any of this