Pronghorn Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Someday, around the time our daughter applies to college, my husband will retire. We'll have to leave this expensive state and move somewhere with low property taxes. But we are looking for a place near reasonably priced colleges where our daughter could study music. Any ideas? We were first thinking of the Lafayette, Indiana area, where I have relatives. But then we found out that Purdue does not have a music major. Now we need a new plan. My daughter is well above average in music abilities so far. However, we are thinking we need a safety school (not pricey) that she could commute to, in case she doesn't get big scholarships. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mnemosyne Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 If you're not opposed to Washington, Central WA University has a great music program in a cheaper area of living (for WA). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 North Carolina - excellent in-state university tuition with very respectable music programs (I'd recommend Greensboro and Chapel Hill). I don't know about the property taxes there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pronghorn Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 Thanks for the advice. The schools look good, and the property taxes are substantially lower than in New Jersey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pronghorn Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 I have considered Jacobs School of Music. However, getting in is very competitive (20 percent acceptance, I think). And the other Indiana schools seem very expensive. So I don't know that moving there would be an acceptable level of risk. My daughter is very strong in music theory (AP level as a thirteen-year-old) and is writing some great compositions. She is a good player of a couple of instruments but may not highly exceptional. I am just not sure that she would be considered overall to be in the top 20 percent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Minnesota has a number of schools with strong music programs. McNally Smith often ranks in like the top 20 for music schools. U of MN often ranks in the top 40. Some lists will swap their rankings. Many other small liberal arts colleges with strong music programs. The Tiwin cities has a vibrant and active performing community and a world class orchestra. It's not SUPER cheap, although not many metro areas with strong colleges are super cheap probably? Maybe better than NJ? Certainly better than a coast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I was going to add, I know a girl that just graduated from the U of MN in piano performance and is now doing master's work at Boston Conservatory and got a nice package to do so. Undergrad admisssions and scholarships are so competitive. I actually have an 8th grade pianist in a similar position to yours. He is taking voice, piano, and guitar right now and has done high level theory testing, etc. Has done piano for 9 years, done concerto competitions, etc. I may have him do theory at a CC next fall. My son's voice teacher got his master's at the U of MN and is now auditioning and performing around the country. My kid may still go in an entirely different direction yet though! He also does theater and is a tech geek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pronghorn Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 Yes, mine could still go another direction too. She says she likes literature. But then in her spare time she is arranging songs, not reading Moby Dick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I have considered Jacobs School of Music. However, getting in is very competitive (20 percent acceptance, I think). And the other Indiana schools seem very expensive. So I don't know that moving there would be an acceptable level of risk. My daughter is very strong in music theory (AP level as a thirteen-year-old) and is writing some great compositions. She is a good player of a couple of instruments but may not highly exceptional. I am just not sure that she would be considered overall to be in the top 20 percent.For another NC plug, the composition profs at UNCGreensboro are outstanding. It was ds's top choice school, though in the end we couldn't afford the out-of-state tuition. The University of Louisville has a very reputable composition department as well. Oh, and North Texas may also be a good school to consider. Ds decided against the Jacobs school primarily because of it's size. It is a monster of a music school and some kids thrive in that atmosphere, but many do not. I'll mention USC (Southern California) but I am guessing cost of living is pretty high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 University of North Texas (in Denton) http://music.unt.edu/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_North_Texas_College_of_Music Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pronghorn Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 I like that University of North Texas says it would give a waiver of out-of-state tuition to anyone who received a competitive scholarship of $1000 or more. I wonder -- is that pretty unusual? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I think the cheapest places would be UNT in Denton, McNally Smith in St Paul, or Indiana University in Bloomington Does she play an instrument? Which one(s)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I assume that you want to move with your daughter so that she's paying in-state tuition at a public school? If so, I'd certainly investigate the residency requirements for in-state tuition, as they vary tremendously from state to state. And, if you are moving there her freshman year, you may not be able to get in-state tuition at every jurisdiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pronghorn Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 She plays violin, clarinet, and bass clarinet. She also sings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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