<p>As Middle Tennessee State, William Paterson, and Southern Maine are on our somewhat long/short list (lol), we wondered if anyone would like to weigh in on which would be best in jazz studies. I did notice, too, that William Paterson has a popular music program, which might be what son would major in instead.
Honestly, he fell in love with UNT (of course) when he wandered around the day before audition. He said every person/group/ensemble etc sounded so tight, so professional, that he would love playing with anyone (even the classical vocalists!)
He hasn't heard MTSU (or the others) in person, but on youtube, he wasn't overly impressed. Although he did say it was hard to tell.
We won't be able to travel to Maine, so I don't know if that will affect his scholarship chances there. I'd love to get him there, but I don't want him too tired for Berklee, since he's already accepted at Berklee and he really needs this audition if he's to get any chance of $.
I know MTSU is great for recording, but is their jazz program good? Really good? </p>
<p>I wish I could help you, but I have some of the same questions. I can’t seem to find a list anywhere of top Jazz colleges other than a couple of threads where people have named schools that they like or attend. I was trying to find information on U Mich jazz program and could only find information about the music department in general.
Does anyone know where we can find a list of the top schools?</p>
<p>There are dozens and dozens of threads on this Forum discussing the respective merits of different jazz programs. Try doing some searches using keywords. But here’s one major one: <a href=“Best university jazz programs - Music Major - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/154774-best-university-jazz-programs.html</a></p>
<p>This is 3rd party so not very specific but a client was telling me about a friend of their family who was admitted to NYU for guitar and couldn’t make the finances work and ended up at William Paterson and is loving it and very happy in his second year. I don’t have any details other than that, though.</p>
<p>Yes, but I was hoping to find a list that was more official than just peoples opinions. The way that US News has the top colleges, etc. I’ve looked at the thread that you posted and while it’s helpful to hear about others experiences it would be nice to see an official “top jazz schools” and when I search that on the internet other that Julliard i’m not getting a lot of information.</p>
<p>Check Down Beat October Issue</p>
<p>Great thanks!</p>
<p>Down Beat magazine does list and sometimes rank Jazz programs but if you talk to Jazz artists they will tell you, you can find your scene anywhere and that is what is important. That combined with high quality faculty that you like. I know some professional Jazz musicians who are very negative about the way Jazz has become this academic subject that you have to study. Jazz historically was learned by playing with others. So your son should go to a place where he feels he will find people he wants to play with.</p>
<p>^^^ That is what I’m hoping for! :D</p>
<p>What StacJip said. Look for a place you will fit in, where you like the vibe, so to speak. Jazz is a cooperative endeavor. </p>
<p>Also, I have heard great things, in general, about William Patterson. vkcollege - if you are looking within the state of Michigan, don’t overlook Michigan State for jazz. My son heard good things about it.</p>