Looking for music ed programs

My son is applying for music ed next year, auditioning on percussion and is looking to add a few non-in state schools to his list. (We are in VA). His criteria are:

  • Large university experience
  • Marching band (which means a football team)
  • Does not look down on drum corps participation
  • Has to have an actual campus (not a "city" school - he wants traditional quads and green space etc.)
  • Strong percussion studio
  • East of the Mississippi

His instructors have mentioned the following but I don’t know too much about them or their music programs:
U Maryland
U South Carolina
U Tennessee Knoxville
UNC Greensboro
Florida State
U Mass
Indiana

Any feedback on these, or others we might add based on his criteria?

Also, I am looking for any feedback on Virginia Tech’s music/music ed programs - there is not much info out there. Thanks.

Have him think about where he wants to teach after graduation. He should go to a well regarded music ed school in that state since it will be easier to meet the certification requirements. Yes, you can be certified across state lines but it requires the student to be more proactive. Also, many public school music departments tend to hire graduates from schools that they are familiar with the quality of the schools’ training.

Momofbassist - our in-state schools are his first choice. We are looking for some others that might fit the bill in case he is not accepted into those in-state programs. Percussion is very competitive as there are usually only a few spots open in each studio each year.

Good luck! I’m sure he’ll get in the right school for him. Auditioning for a program always adds extra stress to planning.

@missjen - suggest looking at U of Miami (Frost) which would fit many of your son’s criteria. It’s not a “Big” school like many of the ones you listed - the U is a private college, not a large state university. But, it has an exciting marching band - including some recent focus on the percussion section that performs independently of the marching band. I believe that drum corp participation would not be looked down on since the band director himself has a son who is in a top corp. The U’s campus is gorgeous!

Consider Norrhwestern, Bienen! Their graduates have s percussion ensemble nominated for a Grammy this year. All 4 were music majors from NU and credit their success to the school. Campus is drop dead gorgeous, football very spirited. Well regarded ed program and easier and cheaper to get flights to nearby Chicago than Indiana!

Link referenced above: https://dailynorthwestern.com/2017/02/09/lateststories/northwestern-alumni-percussion-group-nominated-for-grammys-attribute-success-to-university/

Had a question about Northwestern! I’m currently a junior in HS with a 3.5-3.6 unweighted GPA (top 7% of class, however), with a 34 ACT/1520 SAT, and I would love to do music education combined with performance. NU is definitely my top choice as of now! With a good audition to pass for music… would those stats be enough to pass the academic part of the application?

Definitely yes. Your stats are fine for Bienen.