some more college questions

[JohnL]

Hey guys, Im a junior in Virginia and I'm looking at colleges with good music programs because I am going to be a saxophone performance major (jazz and classical). Im looking at schools that have strong music programs and are very competitive academically. So far my list includes University of Maryland, Catholic University, University of Georgia in Athens, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Can anyone give me some insight into these schools? Anyone have some more schools to add to my list of possibilities?

[tyler_terlecki]

eastman school of music in NY, my teacher went there for one of her masters degrees and says it the best

[tyler_terlecki]

oh, and in canada, Mcgill university in montreal, amougst the top 5 music schools in the world

[gary]

Anyone have some more schools to add to my list of possibilities?

Gee, I don't know. Have you read "HELP! I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO FOR COLLEGE!"

[Andrew]

JonL -

Where in VA are you? I'm from there (Northern VA...Fairfax County), but I'm now majoring in Jazz Performance in college at the University of North Texas. If you want, drop me an email and we can chat or send me an IM through AIM or YM (links below). Later man.

Andrew

[gary]

John - I just popped back in on the internet and my post above looks rude. I didn't mean it to be that way. The CAPS are pasted from the thread title, not my typing; not yelling at you, man.

[JohnL]

I gotcha gary, no offence taken. But I'm more looking for some insight into these particular schools. Iv'e found that some schools that look very appealing on paper sometimes arent what you expect when you go and visit, so I'm fishing for some personal experiences from people that may have visited, taught at, or attended, have children in etc.. these schools. Thanks for any help!

[Razzy]

Eastman is a great school, but I know a few saxophone students going there... for one thing, the double major (education and performance) is 6 years, and you really have to choose jazz or classical, not both, as your performance major. My personal recommendation would be University of the Arts in Philadelphia. You can get your double major in 5 years, and though the degree is in Jazz Performance, you basically study equal parts jazz and classical. Very difficult to get into though. They judge almost entirely on playing ability, not really on academics, or anything else. Those help a bit with scholarships and such, but how you play is what gets you in, regardless of grades. And competition is FIERCE, it's a very small school.

[Ronin1]

Have you considered looking at the School of Music at the University of Michigan? It has a great saxophone program, led by Prof Don Sinta, and it is an academically rigorous school, whether you are in Music or studying engineering or in the College of Literature, Science and Arts.

[beth]

How about Crane school of music in Potsdam (NY)
if you dont mind the cold that is....
The double degree (performance and ed) is only 4.5 years, and it is a top notch school for education (50%+ of NY's music teachers went to Crane) for the price of a state school....and for the remander of this year and most likely the next 2 years for sure Dr. McAllister is the sax professor, who is obviously a top notch performer and professor. the sax studio is by far the stongest studio in the school...and even if/when McAllister leaves, his replacement will still hopefully be a quality teacher...
in addition to the double degree you can get a jazz studies minor too...and a few of the sax players are very involved in both classical and jazz. Bret Zvacek does the jazz program and hes a great guy and great to work with...

Sorry for my little 'advertisment', hehe. just thought i'd give some input

[saxgirl9]

hey, if you guys have questions about college, i posted an article, having been through the process myself
www.teenjazz.com/articles/collegeprep/default.html
I also have other articles at
www.teenjazz.com/articles/default.html