HELP: Graduate Programs in Jazz/Contemporary MUSIC

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Hello,
I havent posted on this in a good two years! Maybe some of you remember me I was a transfer student looking to finish his Bachelors in Jazz studies or some form of music. I auditioned at Purchase and New Paltz, however I didnt get into purchase for various reasons so i decided to try my luck at New Paltz. Now in the spring I will graduate with a B.S. in Contemporary music. I appreciate my time at new paltz and i did learn alot both within and outside the music world, and have made connections with other schools (purchase, west Connecticut) but now I feel like I should take my studies further with a graduate program that is either a conservatory or school heavily known for it's music department. Right off the bat I do not want to try and go into a progam such as Eastman, NEC, MSM, NYU or Julliard (also Berklee, although they don't offer grad programs i know plenty of people who go there anyways after their first bachelors) that is just too far fetched for me and I do not want that type of conservatory training for that price.</p>

<p>SO i am going to list the schools I'm thinking about applying to in the next couple years and why I want to (I want life experience before I dive into grad school). From there If anyone has any opinions or knowledge of the Music program at the school or opinions on going to grad school for music ex: is it worth it in this economy, what will it do for a drummer.</p>

<ol>
<li>University of the Arts:
Pro's: 1 year program, most well rounded (program includes applied lessons, internships, music business programs, composition (for film, video games, big band, small groups), music journalism, pedagogy etc), You will become a music professional not just a professional music (important for todays music world). Located in downtown philladelphia, excellent connections, not as congested or competitive as NYC. Well rounded performance oppurtunies (not just straight head jazz or big band/latin orchestras)</li>
</ol>

<p>Cons: VERY Expensive tuition, though the graduate program is small the music department as a whole is very huge, NOT NYC( although sometimes i think nyc isn't the place to make a living or the best connections for music anymore)</p>

<ol>
<li><p>SUNY Purchase:
Pro's: Cheap State Tutition!!!, EXCELLENT FACULTY, far enough from nyc to breathe but close enough to thrive, I know some undergrad students down there for connections.
Con's: Extremely competitive, program has nothing that really jumps out at me, i visited for a prospective undergrad education and the student body seemed rather snoody. Strictly within the bop idiom. Not sure what a MM from here would do for me</p></li>
<li><p>CUNY Queens (Aaron Copland school of music):
Pro's: Cheap State Tuition!, a varied student body in the music department, lots of playing opportunities, many of my professors attended/praise the school, 3 semester program that has lots electives (very personalized program).
Con's: cheap state tuition but HUGE living expenses (nyc), lots of students and highly competitive, might not get the one on one attention i would like. not sure what MA from here would do for me</p></li>
<li><p>William Paterson University:
Pro's: ALOT of my musical hero's attended there, mostly small ensemble based, decent program outline, can collaborate with MUSIC MANAGEMENT MAJORS, close enough to nyc but far enough to breathe.
Con's: somewhat competitive, out of state tuition, not sure what having a MM from here would do for me.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>thats all i have for now I'm also flirting with North Texas State but that is quite far away from NY! If anyone has any opinions or knows anyone who went to these programs (either undergrad or grad) please post here or PM. I'm very interested in my search! :)</p>

<p>DJ</p>

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<p>I don’t have any specific advice on those programs, but I remember your posts from the past and am glad to hear things have worked out for you at New Paltz! Hopefully you can pick up some great experience during your gap year(s) that might help you decide which graduate schools to pursue.</p>

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<p>Try looking at Hartt. It’s grad school tuition is less than undergrad plus they do offer scholarships. It has a well regarded Jazz program but I’m not familiar with the Jazz percussion program. You could also just look up good Jazz or contemporary percussion teachers in your area or an area you would like to be working and take private lessons while working at something else and doing gigs. It seems that for Jazz and contemporary music you really don’t need a degree past your Bachelors to land gigs.</p>

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<p>You have contacts in the East, why not consider expanding and making contacts in the West as well? Especially in Southern California, where lots and lots of contemporary music is made. Plenty of grad school opportunities and bi-coastal is a good thing in this economy. Just sayin.</p>

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<p>Consider CUNY City College, which is well known for its jazz program.</p>

<p>You may also wish to look at NYU, which has a star studded faculty. It may be very expensive, but doable if you can get a TAship and be willing to commute from, say, Brooklyn.</p>

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<p>Thanks guys,</p>

<p>All of these pointers are very helpful. Stradmom: Thank you, I am going to try and really dive into the “real world” and just live while continuing my passion, which leads into Momofabassit suggestion…I do plan on moving to real popular cities for music such as Austin, Tx and try my luck there, I do think grad school is important though, however if i do get lucky and land something i truly love then it can wait.</p>

<p>Musicamusica: I never considered moving far out west like that, that is something I’ll def considering i know USC has an amazing undergrad program but I am not sure if they offer what im looking for in the graduate field, it would be great to have contacts on both coasts though (San diego has always been a dream of mine too)</p>

<p>oldccuser: I completly forgot to add CUNY city college on to my list too! I’ll remember that next time, I know they have great faculty, cheap price and right in nyc, so I sh’all consider that too!</p>

<p>Any other posters or advice…please post away :)…all suggestions are welcome</p>

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<p>If you are pursuing studies in jazz and contemporary music, I would highly suggest Nort Texas.
Julliard is more of a classical music conservatory. Also, the environment there is extremely competitive and can be quite stressful sometimes.</p>

<p>I agree with posters before me that you should expand in the west :)</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

8

<p>Yuhiko Jay,</p>

<p>Do you happen to know more about about the North Texas Program? It seems to be pretty decent but I honestly no nothing about it, or the area or environment. Anything helps thanks, I’ll seriously look into moving out west or like I said musically rich scenes such as Philly, Austin, LA, or NYC. Do any of you guys know of any lesser known cities that a young artist could get his hand in? I’ve heard Chicago sometimes, Nashville for country and Portland or Seattle for the north west.!</p>

<p>thanks!</p>

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<p>I’ve only heard about the program from my band teacher (I’m in my school’s jazz band, and I’m a senior in high school).
I just know that North Texas is the best for jazz studies… sorry. </p>

<p>I’m sure you’ll learn much more by asking on their forum. Sorry for not helping enough.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>djalabingo,</p>

<p>Do a search on YouTube for University of North Texas Jazz and you will find lots of hits, a recent one is “Jazz Education Is Alive and Well in Texas”.</p>

<p>I hadn’t heard of North Texas until last year when my son showed me a youtube video as an explanation as to why he just had to apply there. </p>

<p>He has his first semester at North Texas under his belt now and loves it. </p>

<p>I definitely think it is worth doing a combination audition/check it out trip to see if it’s for you!</p>

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<p>THanks Jazztrombone mom! I am definetly considering North Texas now! Does anyone happen to know ANYTHING negative or positive about University of the Arts in philadelphia?..I’ll probably just post a separate thread on the matter!</p>