Starting out at a community college may be a good choice for some music students. Benefits may include:

• lower cost
• diversity of curriculum and student body
• flexibility in scheduling (many students work while going to school)
• opportunity to raise your GPA and improve your study skills before taking on the pressure of a four-year school

There are a number of things to know up front that will ultimately save you time, money, and aggravation if you decide to start your music school education at a community college.

 

1. Who is likely to benefit from starting out at a community college?

Andy Krikun, associate professor of music at Bergen Community College (New Jersey), says, “Community college music programs are particularly suited for students who are not sure that they fit into the traditional model of four-year college music programs. These students get a chance to work on remedial courses in music theory and musicianship, as well as help in defining their academic and career goals.”  

Bart Grachan, director, Community College Transfer Opportunity Program (CCTOP) at NYU’s Steinhardt School, adds, “Community college students are either academically solid but not ready to make a full commitment to school; did poorly academically in high school and want to ‘recover’ on the community college level before going on to a four-year school; or are attending community college purely for financial reasons.”

Steve Enos, chair, Cuyahoga Community College Jazz Studies Program, sees additional value. “Because community college programs usually have a smaller enrollment base, students can get considerably more individualized attention and save on tuition costs, as well.”  

 

2. Can I study music at any community college?

There are currently 1,132 community colleges located across the US. They differ dramatically from each other. Some have strong music programs, state-of-the-art production and performance facilities. These schools tend to have strong, active musicians and other music professionals on faculty. Other schools offer music classes geared more to non-music majors. So it’s important to check carefully if you’re using the community college as a springboard to a four-year music school.

The good news? According to Andy Krikun, who teaches songwriting and music business, “The community colleges that have developed strong music programs offer music students a solid foundation for transfer opportunities to four-year music programs in music performance and composition, music business, music education, and music technology.  At the completion of the two year transfer program, A.A. (Associate of Arts) or A.F.A. (Associate of Fine Arts) degrees are awarded.  Most often, these degrees duplicate the first two years of a four-year bachelor in music program, including core music courses as well as general education courses.”

 

3. What classes should I take?

Bart Grachan at NYU advises students, “Focus on non-music classes and get your liberal arts requirements out of the way.” At the same time, he reminds, “Keep up with your music and take private lessons.” Karen Kerr, director of admissions at University of Miami Frost School of Music, agrees that General Education classes are the ones that usually transfer, so these are best taken on the community college level. She also encourages students interested in going to Frost to “transfer as soon as possible.”  

Thomas Hynes, assistant professor of guitar at Azusa Pacific University School of Music, concurs: “General Education (GE) units often transfer better than specific music units. Using a couple of years at a community college to finish a substantial portion of GE credits –– and therefore lighten the academic load of the student who will eventually be involved in a time-intensive music degree program –– is not a bad idea.”

Unless your community college has an articulation agreement with the four-year schools you’re interested in transferring to, it is unlikely that music classes taken at a community college will transfer. While some community colleges like Bergen and Cuyahoga have strong music classes, others have “relatively undemanding theory courses with a gentle grading scale that don’t prepare students for a demanding university program,” offers Azusa Pacific’s Tom Hynes.

When he talks with prospective transfer students, Brad Andrews, director of admissions at University of Redlands School of Music, advises them to “do all of your theory and ear-training with the faculty at your four-year university.” He recommends, “Continue taking music lessons and practice a lot ––you must play at a high level because sophomore and junior transfers are evaluated differently than freshmen.”

 

4. How can I be sure my credits will transfer?

According to Cliff Wittstruck, vice-president/provost at McNally Smith College of Music, students starting out at community colleges should determine in advance “if the work that they will be putting in (and the money and time spent) will transfer to the school they eventually plan on attending to complete their bachelor program.” 

Wittstruck cautions: “Some students make the mistake of going to a community college and taking 60 General Education credits only to find out that the Bachelor of Music degree program that they are interested in pursuing only has a requirement for 30 General Education credits. In this scenario they have 30 credits that will not apply to the degree that they are interested in. So, some would say they have wasted their time and money on these course credits.”

Check to see whether the community college you’re considering has articulation agreements with any four-year music schools. Articulation agreements ensure that specific classes taken at the community college level will transfer, with full credit given.

According to Tom Hynes, “Universities vary significantly on their flexibility in accepting transfer units. The bachelor’s degree reflects the standards of the university, not the college you transferred from. All the more reason to counsel with the new school.”  

Remember that if your credits don’t transfer or if you need to take more classes at a four-year school, you could end up squandering some or all of the money you saved by starting out at a community college.

 

5. Do I need an A.A. (Associate of Arts), A.F.A. (Associate of Fine Arts), or A.S. (Associate of Science) degree to be able to transfer to a four-year music school?

It depends on who you talk to. The community colleges prefer that you do get your A.A., A.F.A., or A.S. degree before transferring. If they have articulation agreements with the four-year schools you’re interested in, spending two years at the community college level and attaining a minimum GPA may be required. As long as you follow their recommendations, your music classes and GE classes will transfer.

If you’re considering community colleges that don’t have articulation agreements with four-year schools, it’s essential to check with the schools you’re interested in transferring to before you get too immersed in your community college education. And it is unlikely that obtaining an A.A., A.F.A., or A.S. is necessary for transferring.

 

6. Do I have to apply and audition in order to transfer from a community college to a four-year music school?

Yes, applying and auditioning are required, even at four-year schools that have articulation agreements with community colleges.

Colleen Glenney, assistant director of admissions at Berklee College of Music, assures students that as long as they’re working on their skills and following the plan that Berklee sets up with specific community colleges around the US and abroad, there’s a good chance of acceptance. She describes the student who transfers well as one who is “serious about their studies,” maintains “a GPA that is a reflection of their work ethic,” and who exhibits “a passion for music in their audition interview.”

Phillip Placenti, assistant dean for admission and student affairs at USC Thornton School of Music, reminds students that “transferring, in general, can be tricky for music majors, simply because there are so many different types of course requirements, different schools have different course requirements, and students’ backgrounds in these various courses can vary considerably (especially in courses such as music theory and keyboard skills).

“In most music courses,” Placenti says, “students take placement exams at the start of their first semester in order to be sure that they are enrolled in the appropriate courses.”

 
7. What can I do to graduate in four years?

Some four-year schools will tell you that it’s unlikely you’ll be able to graduate in four years if you transfer from another school. At schools with articulation agreements, it’s possible. As NYU’s Bart Grachan explains, “It’s essential to do your homework early. The business of transferring can’t be a last minute decision.”

Jeffrey Carter, chair of the department of music at Webster University, cautions that if your skills are not up to par when you get to your four-year school, you may have to repeat some classes, which will delay graduation.

Adam Torres, assistant professor of music at Colorado State University Department of Music, Theatre, & Dance, suggests: “Obtain a copy of degree requirements for the university you want to ultimately attend. Those classes that require 6-8 semesters of commitment (ensembles, lessons), or have a long sequence of required classes (class piano, music theory, etc.), should be built in, as best as possible, into classes taken as a community college student.” Torres goes on to urge students to “make sure that you practice hard and put in the hours while studying as a community college student, so that your applied lesson placement stays on track, to keep you on pace for a timely graduation.”

Getting a BA instead of a BM in music may be another way to graduate in four years as a transfer student. Brad Andrews at University of Redlands points out that the “Bachelor of Music degree requires four years of lessons and ensembles, something which is not available at most community colleges.” The BA, on the other hand, allows room for more General Education and elective credits.

 

8. What about scholarships and merit aid for transfer students?

Transfer students are eligible for federal need-based aid just like freshmen. However, the availability of merit or academic awards may be less. Ask each four-year school you’re interested in about your chances of getting the kind of financial aid you’ll need in order to attend.

 

Final Thoughts – Music School Requirements for Transfer Students

• Know that every four-year music school has its own set of guidelines and requirements for transfer students.

• We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to check with each school you’re interested in to make sure that as a music student, your credits will transfer and that the time, energy, and money spent at community college will be well-used.