Hard time deciding music schools?

Question:I have exactly a month to decide where I want to go to school, and since I am having a hard time deciding what to do, I thought I would ask around. I have been accepted into the Vocal Performance program at all of the schools that I applied for, which are as follows: Oberlin Conservatory (Oberlin, OH), Boston Conservatory (Boston, MA), and Roosevelt Conservatory (CCPA-Chicago, IL). Which one should I choose?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have exactly a month to decide where I want to go to school, and since I am having a hard time deciding what to do, I thought I would ask around. I have been accepted into the Vocal Performance program at all of the schools that I applied for, which are as follows: Oberlin Conservatory (Oberlin, OH), Boston Conservatory (Boston, MA), and Roosevelt Conservatory (CCPA-Chicago, IL). Which one should I choose?

I am a professional vocal director, and I am FROM Boston, altho I live close to NYC now. Oberlin is the best school of these three - can CONGRATS on your acceptance to then all!!! Boston in NO a *short train ride* away from Tanglewood (you gotta drive - it's about 3 hours) - and there is not really much for you there to study unless you get into the Boston UNIVERSITY (different school) Tanglewood Summer Institute. Oberlin is VERY competitive, but if you have come THIS far, you are READY for that. If there are other factors that affect your decision, then you will be GREAT at all 3 - I can understand your indecision! Boston is a FABULOUS city for the arts - so is Chicago. Perhaps your decision is also based on scholarship assistance, housing costs,etc - which makes this ever harder for you. Your single biggest factor will be the private teacher you are with, and then the opportunities they can provide for you in vocal productions. I am sorry that my answer is not more clear-cut, but we ALL go thru this - my son (now 28) had to go thru it as a pianist ans basso - he decided upon Temple U in Philadelphia, since we are often in Boston and NYC anyway for performances, and he wanted to try another artistic city. I am sure that wherever you land, youwill do fine - please let us know your decision!

Of the 3 you listed, Oberlin and Boston have the best reputations in the world of performance. What I would suggest to you is to speak with the Vocal staff at each of the schools. Try to get a feel of how each of the teachers communicate, what they expect from their students, what kinds of music they specialize in performing (opera vs. art songs vs. broadway), and in general, which of the teachers are pompous snobs and which ones are there to actually teach you to be a better musician.

Boston, hands down.

Besides being an excellent school, you are close (a short train or bus ride) to the country's best arts scenes - Tanglewood, New York City, Philly, etc.