Private School with strong music focus? (Newton, Natick: how much, private schools, camps)

[claiz]

Hi all,

Do you have any suggestions in how to research private schools (middle and high) with a strong focus on music? My children are quite keen on music and I am researching private schools and can further develop this area. I know Rivers School has a conservatory program but are there other schools that similar program?

Thanks!

[robr2]

Walnut Hill in Natick for 9-12. Day program is about $47K.

[gf2020]

Why private schools?

The better, larger public school systems will have the best music programs. Andover, Newton, Westwood, to name just a few.

[claiz]

gf2020 - my concern about public school program is about the attention each kid can receive. For public school, I am sure the program itself can be good but how much individual attention and additional coaching you can get if teachers need to handle hundred of students?

[gf2020]

Originally Posted by claiz

gf2020 - my concern about public school program is about the attention each kid can receive. For public school, I am sure the program itself can be good but how much individual attention and additional coaching you can get if teachers need to handle hundred of students?

Do you mean individualized instruction for music or voice? I don't think you will find that in any school: public or private. It is is usually expected that students who want to make a serious commitment to an instrument or voice will take private lessons outside of school to further their craft.

The lone exception may be some of the programs offered by the Preparatory School of the New England Conservatory: https://necmusic.edu/prep

[NewfieMama]

Our kids go to a conservatory and even the most dedicated students go to public school and do lessons/camps/ensembles/exams through the conservatory after school and on weekends.

[claiz]

NewfieMama - thanks for the info. Do you mind sharing which conservatory your kids go to? How do you research which one to go to? Thanks!

[semiurbanite]

Originally Posted by claiz

NewfieMama - thanks for the info. Do you mind sharing which conservatory your kids go to? How do you research which one to go to? Thanks!

Are you unhappy with Lexington schools? There has been plenty written lately about public vs private schools, Google it. Public school teachers are more qualified.

[NewfieMama]

Originally Posted by claiz

NewfieMama - thanks for the info. Do you mind sharing which conservatory your kids go to? How do you research which one to go to? Thanks!

we are on the south shore, so we go to the South Shore Conservatory in Hingham. There are other SSC campuses on the south shore (one in Duxbury and another one soon to open on the Hanover/Norwell border), but there aren't any other conservatories in the area, really, so there isn't much competition.

The reason we chose the conservatory was because a.) the program is geared toward young students--our kids started Music Together as babies and then graduated to an instrument (piano and violin) at age 3. If you get lessons via a private instructor, they usually don't start kids until 5 or 6. b.) we liked the suzuki method, which is what most conservatories offer c.) group classes are mandatory and I think that is a really great tool to get children comfortable with performing in front of crowds (has been really great for our kids even outside of music) and 4.) We wanted to do the RCM (royal conservatory of music) exams and the conservatory works with them to offer those.

[robr2]

If you are in Lexington, take a look at the Real School of Music in Burlington. I know many families that went there for individual lessons.