Jazz Clarinet. Help for a nontraditional woodwind route

Hello. My son, a junior, is a clarinet player. He’s been migrating more to jazz music, rather than classical, in the last two years. He also now does play saxophone but he is stronger on clarinet and also prefers that. In looking at many of the better-known schools out there, it seems that one enters either via the Classical department or via the Jazz department, and if you play clarinet, you have a wonderful selection of well-known teachers in the Classical department, and zero clarinet teachers in Jazz. Furthermore, many seem like they would make him audition and even enter the jazz program only with sax, and use clarinet as a secondary instrument. (Which he ultimately may concede to but the problem is that his audition won’t be as strong on sax compared with kids who have grown up doing that as a primary instrument.)
Are there any other students out there playing clarinet (or maybe flute or other) who want to do something other than classical? Any advice on schools that are more progressive and that would be into this cross-over? OR do we have to email each school and find out whether they would consider him and how it would work. (Which we have slowly started doing.)
Many thanks.

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Hi, I have a clarinet player who doubles on jazz sax. I’d suggest contacting Loyola in New Orleans. Very strong music department with New Orleans having some of the best jazz in the world… many traditional Nola jazz bands feature clarinet. My D20 has played with the jazz band in a few pieces on her clarinet at school and loved it! But the opportunities are very few and far between. She’s looking to study classical.

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How about Oberlin?

https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies

If he doesn’t want to go the conservatory route, the college is seeking to improve integration with the conservatory for students that want to pursue their music but at a less intense level. It is also possible to do a dual degree.

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@mes123 - your research sounds about right. As far as NOLA, I recall a bit more clarinet than usual in the music at Preservation Hall.

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mes123— Being a multi-instrumentalist is always plus. Berklee might be one of schools that offers many jazz ensemble opportunities for clarinet. And I think that he can audition as jazz clarinet (plus saxophone) in live audition but he can add supporting videos / audios of other instruments in his application.

Steve Lipman maybe able give you more ideas about jazz clarinet, Berklee and other jazz programs for clarinet.

http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/2155473-ask-questions-about-pursuing-music-major-here.html#latest

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Thank you all! @murray93 I never had thought of Loyola in New Orleans, what a great idea. And @mamaedefamilia I will definitely look into Oberlin. @JeJeJe yes I think Berklee might be a good fit and thanks for the link to Steve Lipman. I’ll ask him for advice as well. FYI, we heard from New England Conservatory that they welcome jazz clarinet majors, so that’s one! Thanks again.

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I responded in another thread: the links work there!

I just started looking up jazz programs for a clarinetist and you really have to look closely at each school . He can audition on clarinet for many jazz programs, top ones and otherwise. He can ask about how to show he can also play sax, but honestly that could also be an informal addition to what he does once at school.

Some schools will let him audition on sax and then also on clarinet as a “doubling instrument.” Some schools may not list clarinet but who knows, it may be possible.

Just because clarinet faculty for clarinet is not listed, there may be another way to have lessons and participate in a program.

I think it is very important to call and ask or visit. You may miss opportunities if you just go by the website.

Here are some positives for jazz clarinet:

https://www.msmnyc.edu/programs/jazz-arts/ (see clarinet audition info)
https://necmusic.edu/jazz (see audition info “for any instrument”)

USC Thornton has jazz for “reed players” https://music.usc.edu/admission/appreqs/jazz/
and is of course a leading school for contemporary as well so this could be a top choice

Lawrence has an audition for clarinet allowed along with sax, which is primary
https://www.lawrence.edu/conservatory/ensembles/jazz-audition
SAXOPHONES: José Encarnación
4. Play a short excerpt on any doubling instrument (s) you play. (flute, clarinet, etc.) Clarinet excerpt.pdf, Flute excerpt.pdf

NYU Steinhardt doesnt’ specify instruments https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/programs/jazz-studies

Check out Ithaca https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/majors-minors/jazz-studies-bm
There is a note in the audition section: Students who play instruments not typically found in a big band/jazz ensemble should contact Mike Titlebaum at mtitlebaum@ithaca.edu to discuss the possibility of playing in an ensemble this year

Here are some negatives but ASK:

However, Juilliard does not list clarinet as a jazz specialization https://www.juilliard.edu/music/jazz-studies
https://www.juilliard.edu/music/jazz-studies#arm

New School doesn’t either https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/majors-minors/jazz-studies-bm

Again, you will just have to look at each school.

Miami Frost only lists clarinet in classical, not jazz or contemporary
https://www.frost.miami.edu/faculty/by-instrument/index.html

Hartt has auditions in jazz for “melodic instruments” but don’t see faculty for clarinet

Loyola New Orleans has popular and commercial music, as does Belmont in Nashville
but Belmont does not list clarinet http://www.belmont.edu/cmpa/music/undergrad/commercial-music/index.html

Oberlin does not list a jazz clarinet teacher but ASK them because it is a fantastic program https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies/faculty-list

Ditto Bard https://music.bard.edu/faculty/ ASK

SUNY Purchase has these instruments for jazz: Please note that we offer the following instruments as part of the jazz studies program: saxophone, trombone, trumpet, piano, bass, guitar, drums, voice. But, yes, classical clarinet.

Oh and Berklee has professional performance https://www.berklee.edu/professional-performance/major and jazz composition. Have you talked with them about what you want to do?

I think there are many ways to go about this. But investigate any school he would be interested in with a call or visit. Some liberal arts schools and universities without a BM might work too if he can tolerate the gen eds, particularly depending on location. I know a jazz sax player at Tufts who has been happy, but he majors in STEM.

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