Performing Arts School or 4 Year University?

Arlene Maycumber: I think you're way too late - Go to a good 4-year university with a good performance program... and if you want do a couple years at Berklee or similar (depending on your major instrument) for your masters or post-graduate studies if you still want to. BTW - just "wanting to go" is nowhere near enough - you have to pass the audition and be accepted. See my notes about Julliard below. In my opinion, the musicians that get the most out of a conservatory type environment are the best of the best, who are good enough to actually play professionally as soloists or virtuoso performers. If you were in that boat, you would already be playing or competing - and winning - on a state level. Since you're already s senior and just starting to think about this- you probably would have no chance of even being granted an audition, much less getting in. And even if you did get in - unless you are a prodigy/virtuoso player, what are you going to do with that tr! aining to make a living.? See what I mean? A way better course of action - go to a good liberal arts school with a music major. Take "business of music" type courses - music merchandising - theater management - that sort of thing. That way you have some non-performing job options after graduation. And, if you are "that good" - once you have a BA degree it's much easier for you to get into a conservatory program to study with a particular teacher, etc. if you still want to. To give you an idea -- Julliard (for example) only grants live auditions to the top 2% of people who submit a recorded pre-audition. From those, only 1/3 are asked back for a second audition.... and of those only 1/3 actually get into the program as undergrads. You are talking about 1/3 of 1% of applicants getting in - or 3 kids out of 1000 applicants. And those who do have already been performing at a very high level. Not all schools are this competitive -but the really good ones are. ! So unless you're planning on being a featured soloist for the! NY Philharmonic or going on tour with Guthrie Govan.... you'll be better off with a real 4-year degree. Good luck....Show more

Pam Rampadarat: Try looking for a performing arts school closer to where you live or try a traditional university in L.A, and to take performing arts courses.