best school for music

<p>I'm gonna be a senior in high school this year and I am planning on majoring in music in college with either clarinet or piano as my principle instrument. I'm from NY state and my parents don't want me to go too far from home. Which of these schools is best? Also if anyone knows any other good schools not too far from central ny, with a good music program (but not a conservatory) I'd be open to suggestions. Thanks for the help. </p>

<p>-Ithaca college
-McGill university
-suny fredonia
-Syracuse university
-saint rose college
-Lebanon valley college</p>

<p>In case you want more info. I've been playing piano for about 13 years and clarinet for 8 years, i also play saxophone which I play in my schools elite jazz band. I was the only one in my class to get into wind ensemble (the top band-we have concert, symphonic, and wind ensemble) their freshman year. I've been doing nyssma solos for both clarinet and piano for about 5 years, all county band for 6 years, and area all state for 4 years. I take private clarinet and piano lessons and have been for several years. This is also my 4th year in marching band and this year I get a solo. The past 2 years I've been section leader for the clarinets and I've also been the principle clarinetist in wind ensemble these past 2 years. I also play clarinet and piano outside school, I've played for nursing homes and church, and I also played in the pit for an elementary school musical.</p>

<p>Info about my academics...I've been in the top 25 of my class since 7th grade, I take honors classes and this year I'm taking college courses at the suny school in my city, I'm in national honor society, and I have an unweighted gap of 94, and weighted its a 97. My gpa is a 3.9. I did pretty average on the sat/act, but I'm planning on taking it again. I got a 1650 on the sat and a 24 on the act.</p>

<p>The Eastman School of Music in Rochester NY is the best in the country. The distance is a little more than what you want but it would definitely be worth it.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Post this in the music forum here at CC. There are a lot of very well informed people over there.</p></li>
<li><p>When going to college for music performance you’re not so much going to that specific school as you are going to work with that specific instructor. Therefore, ask your current instructors. They should have good ideas about the instrument instructors at these schools.</p></li>
</ol>