Question about Curtis Institute or Julliard!?

Question

I am looking at going to a really good music college so I can get an excellent education. I play the cello and I was wondering what are people's opinions out there about these two school and other places out there? I would like to hear pro's and con's, or whatever you think will be helpful. Thanks

Answer 1

There are four of us in this family with degrees in music, from fine conservatories. First of all, we feel STRONGLY that you should study in a big city with a very active arts scene. We narrowed our searches down to major cities on the East Coast, since we live there - if you want to go anywhere, then fine.

My husband and I have undergrad degrees from Hartt College of Music, in Hartford. Our graduate degrees are from Boston University. Our son and his wife have their undergrad degrees from Temple University in Philadelphia. Many of the teachers at Temple also teach at Curtis. In ALL of these school, the teachers play in the major orchestras in each city.

Our son did audition for other fine schools, such as Ithaca College - and was accepted with a generous scholarship - but it is in the middle of NOPLACE. They say they bring in fine artists, etc. - but that is NOT THE SAME as learning in a stimulating city environment. Some people love the country - which is great if you are going to major in veterinary medicine.

You sound like you WELCOME the city experience. Therefore, keep these things in mind as you pursue your hunt. It is not only the education you get, but the contacts you make, and the total experience you get. BTW - Temple is a commonwealth university - taken over by the state - so the tuition is a real bargain. It was always our first choice for him (fine pianist, got an incredible international artist as his teacher) and the price was just *gravy* - AND he got scholarship money. He also adutioned at Hartt and Boston University. He declined to audition at Eastman, although it is a fine school, since Rochester NY is also the middle of noplace.

Find out who teaches cello at each school you wish to consider, and see if you can take a lesson with them during your senior year - just to see what they and the school are like. And YES - all your grades count - do not slack off and get *senioritis*! I wish you much luck - you sound like a well-focused young person - and I should know - i have been teaching music and performing professionally since 1971.

Answer 2

They are arguably 2 of the 3 best classical training grounds in the country, the third being Eastman. Both have incredible faculty as well as extremely rigorous admissions processes.

Curtis has the single lowest acceptance rate of any school music or otherwise in the country, at 3%. The main reason for this is that Curtis is free. Granted it would still be selective, but that's quite an incentive to apply for most people.

Juilliard's acceptance rate is not far behind, and still lower than all of the ivies at ~8%. It has the nicest student living in Manhattan, in Lincoln Center, so if living in NYC appeals to you that's a major pro.

Other conservatory environments to consider are Eastman in Rochester, NY, New England Conservatory in Boston, and Manhattan School of Music.

Another option is to search around for a larger state school that has an incredible cello professor. These schools often have the money to give out to talented individuals and you could easily end up going to school for free as a result. The single most important factor in deciding on a music school should be whether or not you'll be happy. The second is the quality of your future teacher, as a performer, teacher, and person, as they are the most important factor in determining your musical growth.

Hope that helps and good luck with the college search!

Answer 3

There both wonderful schools, if you can get in there you must be a genius or prodigy they don't just take anyone, if you know someone that's graduated from either school you know that you have a person who is the best at what he/she plays. I wish growing up that I had the money to go to Curtis, ( only because I lived in Philadelphia and it was close to home ). But either one of them is a fabulous school !! I have nothing bad to say about either school, they both have excellent reputations.

Answer 4

I happen to attend Ithaca College as a double major in Music Education and Performance. I feel the level of artistry we get is equal to that you would find at Hartt.

TAKE LESSONS BEFORE YOU DECIDE. A lesson tells you the most about what you will be getting from a degree.

Answer 5

Manhattan School of Msuic or Mannes College of Music in Manhattan are also very good.
You probably will have lots of opportunities at either as compared to Julliard. unless you are one of the top cellist in high school in the USA\

Queens College in Queens, NYC also has a fine Bachelors in Msuic.