<p>I'm planning on majoring in clarinet performance in college, so I was wondering if anyone knows of schools with really good clarinet teachers since everyone always says (for music students especially) to go to a college with good teachers. And more generally, what are some colleges with good music programs (not conservatories...I want to get a "real" college experience)? Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>Hi lissy, there are many, many schools that fit your general criteria. Can you narrow it down to location or size of school? Can you comment on your grades and level of playing or playing experiences? What grade are you in? Thanks.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that three conservatories, Bard, Lawrence and Oberlin provide a “real college” experience (with the possible exception of greek organizations for Bard and Oberlin. Oberlin does have co-ops) as they are deeply entwined with their liberal arts colleges. As to their clarinet programs, I will bow to the opinion of others more in the know.</p>
<p>Ithaca College, Boston University and Hartt School (University of Hartford) also come to mind as “full service” universities with good music programs. Sorry, I don’t know anything specific to clarinet, however.</p>
<p>Hi clrn8mom. I was actually trying to be pretty general so that I wouldn’t be limiting, but ill tell you some more specifics if it helps :)</p>
<p>I’m currently a senior in high school. I’ve been playing the clarinet for 9 years, the piano for 11 years, and the saxophone for 6 years. I’ve been in marching band (on clarinet) the past 4 years, I’ve been section leader the past 2 years, and this year I have a solo in our show. I got into wind ensemble (my high school’s premiere band) freshman year and have been in it ever since, and I also play clarinet in my school’s symphonic orchestra. I’ve been taking private clarinet lessons the past 5 years and solos that I’ve worked on recently are Weber’s 2nd concerto in Eb and Messager’a solo de concours. I have a 4.0 gpa, I’ve taken honors classes and ap classes, and am currently taking some classes at the suny school in my city. I’ve also been in the top 25 of my class the past 6 years. My sat score was pretty average. I got a 1650, but I just took it again and will get my score in several days.</p>
<p>I’m from central NY and my parents don’t want me too far, I think they said 5 or 6 hours away is their limit. As for school size, I want to go to a midsized (or larger) school. I think Ithaca had about 7000 undergrad, so anywhere from there to about 20,000s would be ideal. But right now, I don’t want to focus on location, I just want to know what schools have great music programs and/or great clarinet professors/studio…thanks for the help.</p>
<p>Don’t overlook your instate choices if you want the college experience along with your music performance major: Purchase, Fredonia and Potsdam. All three are part of a liberal arts college as well as offering performance degrees. They also will be financial safeties with COA about $20-21,000/year. Fredonia is probably midsized about 5000+. Potsdam smaller with 4000. The clarinet students at Potsdam love Raphael Sanders. If you have the time take a sample lesson with him.</p>
<p>Thank you lissy, that information is very helpful and gives me an idea that you are a higher level player. I am a bit geographically challenged, being that I live on the west coast, and I am guessing that 6 hours out of New York will not get you very far into the Midwest, but if it does I would definitely consider Oberlin, Northwestern, University of Michigan (very large but the lay out is nice), Michigan State (large), and CCM. Those have better known clarinet studios and university music schools and attract higher level players. (see below). Other possibilities include Baldwin-Wallace College (near Oberlin, OH). Dan McKelway of the Cleveland Symphony teaches there and he is a wonderful human being and excellent teacher. DePaul in Chicago would be worth checking out.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about the New York State schools but another one to consider if money is not an issue is NYU (but also very large). I agree, check out Ithaca and Bard. Bard you are required to do a dual degree, I hear (or is it double major?) Also Carnegie-Mellon in Pittsburgh is worth a look. The clarinet teacher at Rutgers in NJ is supposed to also be good. </p>
<p>Your test scores may be an issue at some of these schools especially Northwestern, CMU, Oberlin (if you are going for the 5 year dual degree, though you can add the second degree later I understand), Bard and probably UMich.</p>
<p>We never visited Eastman, sadly, and this was our one regret. Even though the main U. Rochester campus is several miles away from the conservatory, since you are so close you should probably go visit. Peabody in Baltimore is another good place for clarinet but also with logistical issues between the music school and JHU campus.</p>
<p>Just to throw in other schools worth considering if geography/money are not an issue: University of Southern California, Rice (both probably among the highest level admits for Clarinet at this time outside of Curtis/Colburn), Indiana, Florida State, U. of Miami (Frost). Other clarinet notables: Lawrence, UT Austin, UNC Greensboro, Cal States at Long Beach and Fullerton. (I included the large schools). D has also worked with several outstanding players from Baylor. </p>
<p>If I think of anything else I will chime back in. I’m sure there are places I left off my list by accident or by ignorance, and I apologize for those, and I did leave some places off this list on purpose and you can pm me about those. Hopefully other clarinet students/parents will have other info to share as well.</p>
<p>If you are a senior you don’t have much time, and ideally it is good to have some sample lessons at these places. There are many wonderful teachers out there on clarinet, and there is a lot to learn from all of them. Hopefully your current teacher is being helpful in the process.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>How about Syracuse? It’s close, it’s the right size. It has that classic college feel - frats, sports etc. And a School of Music. However, I know nothing about the clarinet studio there…</p>
<p>Richie Hawley at Rice and Donald Montanaro at Curtis</p>
<p>Thanks Violoncello, I did note those, and I also forgot Arizona State, for Clarinet…definitely large and far away but worth mentioning.</p>
<p>Always nice to have options that are not quite so stratospheric…
The OP is looking for a college experience also.</p>
<p>lissyd73, CLRN8MOM has done a great job listing for you all the good places for clarinet. It’s too bad you didn’t start looking at schools prior to your senior year so that you could have set up some sample lessons or visits. I remember my son’s first college audition was already in November…But at this point, it would be best to narrow your choices (which appears to be geographically limited for you) to 5-6. Unfortunately, I need to be the bearer of bad tidings to tell you that many schools (especially those that have the more well-known clarinet teachers) have only a few, maybe even just 1-2 openings for clarinets–and there are many many fine clarinetists out there all trying for those coveted spots. So research schools on your list–check out the audition requirements, etc., and make sure you include “reach” schools as well as schools that it might be easier to get in (i.e. accept many clarinetists). I went through the whole process with my S just 3 years ago–so please feel free to p.m. me if you have questions or need specific advice.</p>
<p>Oh, I also wanted to add–have you talked with your teacher about this? Surely he/she will have some idea of what schools they might recommend or that you would be well-suited for. Your teacher should be your first resource when deciding on where to apply.</p>
<p>HI Clarimom! I was hoping you were still out there!
I totally agree with you.</p>
<p>Hi CLRN8MOM! I’m still here alive and kicking! Hope all is well with you!</p>
<p>Ithaca, Purchase, and Bard are some obvious choices to take a look at. You’ve also got Stony Brook. If you venture out of state, you’ve got some possible options in Massachusetts and New Jersey. Also consider Yale.</p>
<p>Yale does not have a performance degree at the undergraduate level. There is a music major, but it is more history/theory oriented…but there are amazing performance opportunities (the undergraduate symphony rivals conservatories in quality). One important issue though is that most undergraduates have private lessons with graduate students. They are fine performers being that Yale School of Music (graduate school) is very prestigious. But, don’t apply to Yale and hope to get lessons with the teacher of your choice–it is not a given. As far as clarinet goes, the teacher there rarely accepts any undergraduates into his studio.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for the help! The schools I’m pretty sure I’m applying to so far are Ithaca, suny fredonia, and occ. Right now I’m considering university of Delaware, stony brook, hartt, and Boston university. I really appreciate all of the suggestions, thanks again.</p>
<p>Oh and I definitely won’t be applying to Yale, I don’t think I’d ever get accepted to an Ivy League school. Especially with my very average sat/act score.</p>
<p>UNT. How could I forget UNT.
(I see you are definitely zero’ing in close to home, but I just had to add that).</p>
<p>what is OCC? Oberlin?</p>
<p>Franklin Cohen, at CIM (which is about 4 hours from Rochester, NY) is one of the best clarinetists in the world- principal with the Cleveland Orchestra. His students love him and he’s one of the funniest and nicest guys around. You can not overlook the importance of having a teacher with the contacts he has either. Feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions!</p>