<p>Anyone have any suggestions for jazz programs for a guitarist who is interested in EVERYTHING- loves Indian music, rock, jazz, fusion etc.
I know folks will say Berklee and it does seem to be a good fit but we worry about him being one of hundreds of guitarists. Any suggestions for LAC's or Universities with good jazz programs that are more open to students exploring different musical styles along with jazz?</p>
<p>Check out Wesleyan. They have a fabulous ethnomusicology department and Anthony Braxton runs the jazz program. For someone interested in World Music and eclectic jazz it could be great. (It's definitely academic, however, and not a conservatory experience.) Also, UCLA has jazz and a terrific ethnomusiciology program. Have you looked at Michigan?</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the great suggestions- its been a challenge since although jazz is something he loves (he's in the prep program at NEC and plays in a number of ensembles at school, privately and at NEC) DS wants more than just a straight ahead jazz conservatory program.
Wesleyan sounds interesting- we'll check it out. He seems to want a conservatory program but you never know- sometimes its all about the chemistry with the teacher. He's a good student- it might be an option.</p>
<p>We went to MSM, and to UMiami but neither seemed a good fit.He loved the NYC scene but saw only grad students in the bands and no guitarists at all on our tour that day. Miami spent all of its time informing us about how competitive they were (he's well qualified academically and musically) and no time talking about what he'd receive from an education there. Kind of a turn off.</p>
<p>He seems to want to be in a place where they encourage experimentation a little more. Our oldest is a classical trumpet player and our experience with his college choices is absolutely no help at all :) He went to BU and to UF for
Grad school.
Michigan is a great suggestion-I know they have a very well respected program- we'll look into it.
We have a trip planned for the fall to USC/Thornton and will see UCLA then too. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>The New School (parent institution of Mannes School of Music) also offers this program, which might be worth a look. The</a> New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. It's a seperate program, not under the Mannes umbrella.</p>
<p>The College of Santa Fe also has a program that might be of interest. Contemporary</a> Music Program</p>
<p>I sent you a PM last night, Jazzguitarmom. Check in the top right hand corner of the site, and you can click on it.</p>
<p>Thanks Allmusic- got it. I appreciate all of the suggestions.
Does anyone know about North Texas? I know the program is large and well respected- a long way from Boston, but is it worth a look?</p>
<p>UNT seems to garner good reviews from all who visit. Also, I believe it is very attractive financially, even for OOS. Downsides seem to be size and location.</p>
<p>Do a forum search, there have been a number of UNT posts.</p>
<p>I can't say if it makes sense for the discipline/instrument, but definately worth a look in general.</p>
<p>I would take the time to visit UNT and the Denton area. The jazz program is excellent, and the town of Denton, while not the most attractive thing, is beginning to have a burgeoning indie music scene to rival Austin's. (Or so said the NYTimes.)</p>
<p>If your son qualifies for any type of competitive scholarship (music, academic) you can get in-state tuition. Sweet.</p>
<p>Visited UNT four years ago with my vocalist d. We were all impressed by the School of Music. The vocal music is great, but the guitar program absolutely ROCKS (and swings). Financially (as vicaria mentioned) its one of the best values in music education.</p>
<p>You might want to check out the University of Washington for jazz and ethno too:</p>
<p><a href="http://depts.washington.edu/ethmusic/%5B/url%5D">http://depts.washington.edu/ethmusic/</a></p>
<p>Many great guitarists from the PNW.</p>
<p>Hi jazzguitarmom - a couple of thoughts, as we are exploring the same avenue as you seem to be, with maybe a little less emphasis on the jazz: </p>
<p>The great thing about Berklee is that because there are so many guitarists, your player will be constantly challenged and will be playing with some of the best. Sort of like being on a sports team - in addition to great faculty, you want to be surrounded by a high level of play in your fellow students. If he hasn't already participated, you might want to consider the Berklee guitar week they have at the end of the summer just to get a feel for the place. I do feel (as a mom) that making this leap is a real challenge though - it's about the music and that's about it. But if your son is like mine and the decision is made that's what he's doing with his life, then he will have intensive training there.</p>
<p>We have heard great things about both the USC and UCLA jazz programs, not sure how much of the other types of music experience are available within the school environment, but certainly simply just being in LA opens other doors. And you know your son will get a great education at the same time. I would be curious to hear your thoughts after you visit.</p>
<p>My son had exactly the same experience with UMiami (at least one faculty member) as you described, it almost seems as if they are dissuading anyone from bothering to apply/audition there. (I wonder if it was the same guy)?</p>
<p>Have you considered Eastman? </p>
<p>Some of the factors I've looked for when searching the websites are guitar faculty (depth) and ensemble availability (offering the opportunity to play various styles of music). Good luck!</p>
<p>UCLA's ethnomusiciology department is considered by many the best in the country.</p>
<p>Hello, just thought you might like to know that Indiana University has established a jazz guitar program as of Fall 2008, with Corey Christiansen at the helm. I’m one of three graduate level students in the program, and I’m so glad I’m at Indiana rather than in some larger program where personal attention from the instructors is a little harder to come by. I had considered UNT and other well-known programs for rhythm section players, but I didn’t want to get lost in a crowd. I highly recommend IU! It has turned out to be extremely guitar-friendly. I’ve even been privileged to work with Micheal Spiro, who is also new faculty this year, and one of the world’s leading latin percussion experts. I’ve been playing guitar and cuban tres in his new IU Latin Jazz Band, which I’ve found extremely rewarding. In fact, the Latin band had more performances than any of the big bands or combos this year. </p>
<p>Corey Christiansen studied with Jack Petersen, and when Jack left USF Corey took his place once he earned his Master’s. Corey was senior editor and a guitar clinician for Mel Bay for seven years. He is currently teaching full-time at Utah State and part time here at IU. Corey is signed to Origin Records, and travels constantly to perform and teach. He’s a regular at Jamey Aebersold’s Summer Jazz Workshops too.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>This is my first post! Trying to help my son finalize his preliminary application list. He’s a very accomplished jazz guitarist as well as an innovative rocker, and is leaning toward a strong university or liberal arts college with a conservatory-type program, rather than a conservatory. Of particular interest (though not required) would be a school that offers production and rock/pop. </p>
<p>(At the same time, he does plan to apply to a few conservatories. Julliard, New School, Cal Arts).</p>
<p>Right now USC Thornton is at the top of the list, along with NYU Steinhardt and UCLA. But where else?</p>
<p>I must confess he’s prejudiced about going anywhere that’s not definitively east or west (not that I blame him - don’t flame me!), but I have convinced him to check out UNT. Location and college life are VERY important to him.</p>
<p>We’d love more info on Bard (is it one of those places you just declare music major once you’re there?), NEC (is it good for jazz guitar?), SUNY Purchase? Anyone heard anything about Lewis & Clark (non-audition music major)? University of Denver (how is it for guitar?) And finally, Boulder (last we heard all they had was a certificate in guitar - no thanks)?</p>
<p>Finally… is Julliard limited for jazz guitarists? We heard that was once the case, but is changing.</p>
<p>We’ve yet to visit anywhere other than USC, but I imagine we can visit when he auditions. I know I’m asking about ten questions, but hopefully you understand! Any and all advice appreciated!</p>
<p>jazz/shreddermom, welcome. There are a number here with area knowledge greater than mine, and you can find some current posters/students and specific programs by scanning the <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/618208-master-list-music-school-acceptances-fall-2009-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/618208-master-list-music-school-acceptances-fall-2009-a.html</a>. You can search for posts by user or title using the “search this forum” button.</p>
<p>From the UColorado Boulder page here: [Degrees</a> & Admissions | Jazz Studies | College of Music | University of Colorado at Boulder](<a href=“http://www.colorado.edu/music/departments/jazz/degrees.html]Degrees”>http://www.colorado.edu/music/departments/jazz/degrees.html)</p>
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<p>My take is that there is a BM in jazz studies, with a guitar concentration. You may wish to speak directly to the department for clarification. UColoado Boulder is a very solid music program, but my knowledge is limited to the more classical aspects.</p>
<p>UDenver has a great performance facility, and was one of son’s choices based on faculty. I can’t speak to the jazz program specifically.</p>
<p>Lewis and Clark is not a program normally mentioned as a go to option for a musician on a performance path, but having said that if it might work for your son, by all means take a look. A primary concern beyond the strength of applied performance faculty would be the peer level of other musicians. At many smaller LAC type programs, there may well be a few exceptional musicians, but not a significant amount of depth and strength across all instrumentation. A definite red flag for any ensemble player. </p>
<p>N8Ma is an active poster and a Bard music admissions person. (Sorry, I don’t recall the exact title). Try posting a new separate thread for Bard specific questions (or you can tag on to the thread here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/385212-opinions-alumni-applicants-bard-double-degree.html?highlight=Bard[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/385212-opinions-alumni-applicants-bard-double-degree.html?highlight=Bard</a> . It’s am older thread, but with some “new” info starting around post #23.)</p>
<p>Hopefully, the jazz parents will chime in.</p>
<p>Thanks, Violadad!</p>
<p>jazz/shreddermom - The jazz program at Bard is in the College and not in the Conservatory. The conservatory is only classical. Only the conservatory is audition based. However the college music program is very strong, with some great professors. There is a jazz program, but it’s small. There is also an electronic music program. I’d recommend looking at the bio links on the music dept’s page of the various jazz professors: John Esposito, Thurman Barker & Erica S. Lindsay, and emailing them directly if the program seems interesting. (They used to have a more extensive music website but for some reason it disappeared.)</p>
<p>Thank you so much, guys. Does anyone know about Eastman, regarding jazz guitar? If I’m not mistaken, it doesn’t even come up on this years list of acceptances (for jazz guitar), which surprised me.</p>
<p>bump. I’m still curious why Eastman doesn’t appear on the acceptance list in the jazz guitar area. Anyone?</p>
<p>Also, any feedback on University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music? And while I’m in Denver, what about University of Colorado - Denver? Both are audition based.</p>
<p>He’s definitely applying to USC, NYU, Bard, The New School and University of Mass-Amherst, but we really want to cast a wide net - with auditions, you never know.</p>
<p>Jazz/shreddermom, of course CC is only a microcosm of the musical world–it could just be that we didn’t have a guitarist who applied there this year. My son had a great experience at Eastman’s summer jazz program last year, and met some great jazz guitar kids. He ultimately declined to audition at Eastman, because he didn’t feel it was a great fit for him. Eastman has a fine reputation for jazz, so I would add it, as you cast your net. Why not Oberlin, NEC, MSM, McGill?</p>