Hello-My S is a jazz vibraphonist (middle and high school at magnet arts school playing vibes). He plans on applying to colleges with vibes faculty he knows of/would like to work with, but is also wondering about applying to jazz programs without vibes faculty (since there aren’t many jazz vibes faculty members in the US). The vibraphone is a keyboard instrument so he could also learn from jazz piano faculty members. So far he’s considering Manhattan School of Music, Peabody Institute, Berklee and CU Boulder for places with jazz vibes faculty. And places such as Oberlin, the New School and NEC for jazz programs without vibes faculty. Any guidance is appreciated!
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So, feel free to disregard everything I say, because one of the most musical trumpet players I ever worked with was a student of saxophonist Phil Woods.
(1) I would not say a vibraphone was a keyboard instrument, in the sense most people use it (although that terminology is used to distinguish it from other percussion instruments) because of its lack of keys. I would say that there is evidence that vibraphone proficiency transfers to the keyboard (for example Victor Feldman), and less evidence for the reverse.
(2) It is the rare college freshman who is so proficient on an instrument that they have nothing left to learn and so no longer need a teacher. His teacher wouldn’t necessarily be at the college (if that’s the case, budget for that too) but it will be easier to find a private teacher in Manhattan, New York than Manhattan, Kansas.
(3) What are his career goals? Most places better mesh with some career trajectories than others.
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I would post this on the music major forum here on CC, which is very helpful. He does not have to be a music major to benefit.
Make sure to read the Double Degree Dilemma essay under the Read Me thread up top.
I think of a vibraphone as similar to a marimba, so a good percussion program would be a priority,
Loyola New Orleans is a great school for jazz and has vibraphone:
Winds and Percussion | Music and Media (loyno.edu)
Ditto the New School in NYC, another popular jazz program
Ben Portner Vibraphone Fall 13 Ensemble Recital Series New School Jazz
New School - Search
New School - Search
the “search” links should lead to two faculty members…hope the link works
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Thanks, those are great points. His career goal at this point is to be a professional jazz vibraphone player.
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I didn’t realize there was a music major forum (I’m new to CC). Thanks for the tip and for the links. I appreciate your help!
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Take a look at Boyer @ Temple in Philadelphia. Award winning jazz program and an excellent percussion department (a little biased here as my kid is a percussionist - played a vibraphone piece for his audition).
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Wholeheartedly endorsing and recommending Warren Wolfe at Peabody. Mind-blowing musician, excellent teacher, and fantastic human being.
Also consider Nick Mancini, Bob Cole Conservatory, Cal State University Long Beach (link here: BCCM-CSULB | Nick Mancini). Jazz program is well regarded, CSULB is a solid university in a nice neighborhood, and music scene in LA is awesome.
I’d also reach out to USC Thornton and Miami Frost. I don’t think either has a full-time faculty member who teaches vibes, but they probably have adjuncts.
Finally, I’d echo a comment by another poster regarding keyboards v vibes: knowing one helps the other, but only marginally so.
That said, I know of situations where students who play jazz with “non-traditional” jazz instruments often study the technical aspects of their instrument with classical music faculty then take lessons with jazz faculty for everything else (improvisation, theory, composition, arranging, performance ensembles, etc.).
Good luck!
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So I would ask him the follwing question.
How many professional jazz vibraphonists are there in the country? This is sort of a trick question, as the point is to get him to think about what else such people are doing in addition to jazz vibraphone. Teaching? Legit playing? Other pitched percussion? Piano? Composing or arranging?
By my count, the number (taking the strictest definition) is zero. The people I would be most inclined to put in that category, Lionel Hampton and Gary Burton both taught and wrote. They also were (are, in the case of Burton) twice-per-century talents.
I am trying to get him to think about what in addition to jazz vibraphone he would like to do to round out his career. Four things immediately jump out at me, and there are likely more:
- Broaden his range of performance
- Teaching/music education
- Composition and arranging
- Music production and conducting
I would consider the strengths in these areas when picking a university.
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Yes-thank you. He has had some online experience with Tony Miceli who is there and enjoyed his teaching style. Congratulations to your son, I’m glad it sounds like he’s happy there.
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Great to know about Warren Wolfe and the other programs as well. And good to know about keyboards vs vibes. Perhaps I was being too optimistic!
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I agree completely, we’ve had the same discussion with him several times! Thanks for your message!
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He might consider University of North Texas if he hasn’t already. I’d be of the opinion that if he wants to play jazz vibraphone, he should go where it is being taught. It may be a short list but it’s a list that offers what he wants to pursue.
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