Good Music Programs in California

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>I'm currently attending a 2-year college and just finished my second year of Music. I have 2 years of Music Harmony, Theory, History, and Classical Guitar. I was also in Choir, Ensemble for Guitar, I've performed at monthly recitals and recently won an art/music scholarship this semester. I'm hoping these will look good on my transcript. </p>

<p>I am trying to decide which universities to apply to that are in California. I'm thinking of majoring in Music Education. So far, I plan on applying to Sac State (since it is close to home), SF State, UCLA and UC Santa Barbara. </p>

<p>Are there other schools that have a good program which I should look into?</p>

2

<p>Hello BaroqueStudent, it sounds like guitar is your main instrument (and not voice?) I don’t know much about music ed programs except that in Southern California USC, UCLA, Cal State Long Beach and Cal State Northridge are the main programs I hear about with possibly also Cal State Fullerton. UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine are also worth looking at. You will need to find out if you can audition on guitar at these places (not everyone has guitar faculty), and how much of your units will be transferable. Some schools are notorious for making you do your music pre-reqs over again after you transfer (USC might be one of those.)
Hopefully others who know more can fill in some details. Best of luck!</p>

3

<p>San Francisco Conservatory has a good guitar program.</p>

4

<p>Thank you for the suggestions. </p>

<p>Yes, Classical Guitar is my main instrument. I would like to stay somewhat close to home, so I am leaning towards Sac State or San Francisco. </p>

<p>compmom, I was looking at SF Conservatory of Music, and I would love to attend that college. I’m not sure what their acceptance rate is though.</p>

5

<p>I know a number of music teachers in Bay Area Schools who got their degrees from Cal State East Bay (called Hayward at the time) or University of the Pacific.</p>

<p>SF Conservatory is great for classical guitar - but I don’t believe they offer a degree in Music Ed there.</p>

6

<p>Baroque, all that stuff will look great on your application/resume. </p>

<p>What concerns me is that even with a few music classes and ensembles behind you, you still may be terribly behind in a BM program. They tend to not have as large of a requirement for general education classes as other degrees, and tend to allow fewer electives.</p>

<p>I am also assuming that you are looking to apply for fall (really late summer) acceptance. At most popular four year colleges, it may be too late. Most of them had deadlines many months ago. I realize that at your Jr. college you probably could apply right up until the first day of classes, but it doesn’t work like that at most of the “better” colleges. The college my son will be going to this fall had over 20,000 people to apply for 4,500 spots, all 20,000 had their applications in by last December, acceptance letters were mailed out on March 15th, and they had until May 1st to pay a deposit to hold their spot.</p>

<p>At this point, if you are planning to attend in the fall, you shouldn’t be looking for the “best” program, or a “good” program - you should be finding out which colleges will still accept you. The good news is that there are plenty of non-prestigeous colleges that will accept late applicants.</p>

<p>My other concern is that most Music Ed students play wind or percussion or orchistral instruments as their “primary” instrument - not guitar. Nothing wrong with guitar, lots of people major in guatar performance, but it is a little odd for a music ed degree. In my village, public schools don’t teach guitar, and the only point in getting a music ed degree would be to teach in public school. Most public school education teachers teach chorus or wind instrument band or orchistra. I am not trying to discourage you, but just be aware that you are going to have to learn how to play a heck of a lot of other instruments, in a fairly short period of time, and it is going to be very difficult.</p>

<p>If you want to teach guitar privately, then a degree in performance might would be just as valuable, or maybe even more valuable than a music ed degree. You can always major in performance and then take a few music ed classes. Or, you could major in performance, use your electives to take classes in other instruments, and then get a music ed degree in graduate school.</p>

<p>Again, not trying to discourage you. Just go into this with your eye’s wide open, and aware of some of the obsticals that you are going to run into.</p>

7

<p>they have rolling admission, are reallly nice and have an interesting conservatory. Good luck!</p>

8

<p>imagep, </p>

<p>Thanks for your concerns. I am actually transferring in the Spring, so I’ll be applying August 1st. I have a few general ed. courses that I still need to complete before I make the transfer. </p>

<p>I’m not completely set on majoring in Music Education, but it’s definitely an area I’ve thought about. Luckily, I’ve always been able to learn an instrument fairly quickly. I play several different instruments, although none of them are orchestral. </p>

<p>I will also look into majoring in Performance. This past semester, I was a guitar tutor at the college, recommended by my music professor, and have enjoyed it. So, I have thought about becoming a guitar instructor as well.</p>

9

<p>Just a heads up when you’re talking to prospective schools – many will not give credit for jr college music theory etc. As it applies to degree requirements, meaning they might let u transfer the credit as an elective but will not allow it to be used as fulfillment of the degree requirement. This is especially true at tippy top programs because sometimes there is a vast difference in material covered (even when you transfer from another four year program) . So ask explicitly about this because it might actually mean you could not meet the requirements in 2 years and start from square one. Best wishes in your search!</p>

10

<p>One other state school to consider is Humboldt State in Arcata. It’s an easy drive from the Sacramento area and in a beautiful area. I attended Humboldt back in the 70’s and I believe the music department has improved considerably since I was there. I concur with other posters that you will most likely have to repeat some required courses in theory and music history. I transferred from Santa Monica College and it took me three more years to graduate from Humboldt. But I enjoyed my time there and had a great piano teacher. Of course the price was right (back in those days…tuition was $75.00 a semester!) Anyway…look into Humboldt. They have a music education program and also performance. The guitar professor sounds quite interesting. There is a long bio about him. Good luck!</p>