<p>My son is a senior in high school, plays the bass, guitar and also piano. He wants to study music theory and composition,along with playing and advancing his skills. He also writes, and plays in 2 bands presently.We live in Florida and I am presently looking for the best school, either in Florida or at least the east coast. Where do I start? Help</p>
<p>Have you visited FSU? My son loved it, applied, & was accepted. He’s attending elsewhere however for other reasons. But he was very impressed with FSU’s music programs, & the professor he had his trial lesson with.</p>
<p>Also check out USF’s music program. I know a cellist who was very impressed with the faculty and students there.</p>
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<p>I would suggest by reading this <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html</a></p>
<p>A bit more detail on his preferences for type & size of school, musical background and training, specific instrument path would be helpful for others to suggests potential schools.</p>
<p>Is there a genre preference? Jazz, classical, popular/contemporary, or possibly a place where he can explore all? Your use of “band” leads me to assume a jazz or contemporary rather than classical focus.</p>
<p>I second Florida State. We came away from our tour of the music school favorably impressed. And what the school doesn’t offer as coursework, the student community seems to do a lot on its own. </p>
<p>UMiami would have to be in there. </p>
<p>I’m assuming his interests are in the contemporary/jazz/rock spectrum.</p>
<p>Further afield, I’d suggest the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. If he’s a self-starting kind of musician, Berklee in Boston may end up being a good fit for him. </p>
<p>In NYC, I’d start with Manhattan School of Music. </p>
<p>I’m not sure how University of North Texas would be for anything other than jazz. But the music scene around Denton is growing, it might be worth a look west.</p>
<p>In NYC, the New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music. In Boston, Berklee college of music.</p>
<p>In the state of Florida there are a couple of good choices… Florida State and UMiami are the top picks by far; both schools offer top of the line education for music students but with slightly different appeal. FSU is a much larger school, with an entire college devoted to music, and therefor it caters to a strong competitive environment. The Frost School of Music at UMiami (at about 1/2 the size of FSU) acts much more as a conservatory. </p>
<p>USF, UFlorida, and UCF all have good music programs as well but aren’t nearly as recognized/accomplished as FSU/UMiami.</p>
<p>Does anyone here have an opinion on the music programs esp the electronic arts major at U Tampa?</p>
<p>Florida State definitely has the best music program in the state. It is a competitive Music School within a large university. It is the most competitive of all the Florida music programs to get accepted to, an audition based program for the most talented students. </p>
<p>I agree that Frost at U Miami has the next best overall program. It is a private school, very expensive, but they have a lot of scholarship money available. Strength of the program depends more specifically on what department you will be applying to and the specific teachers involved. </p>
<p>The other programs in the state are smaller programs, not as competitive to be admitted to. UNF has a small music school. UF is the flagship state school in Florida, need a 4.0 plus great SAT’s to get accepted, however music can be a way to get around the strict academic requirements. I know several kids who applied there and were accepted, they must play in the Orchestra there but they are not primarily music majors. </p>
<p>I would advise researching the specific professors at each of these schools and seeing if they have something that you would be interested in. UCF and USF are HUGE schools, not really known for their music programs, very social environments. UCF is known as “the” party school in Florida, students have to make an effort not to get caught up in the party scene there. There may be a specific teacher there that you might want to contact depending on which major you decide to pursue. Since Florida is such a large state with a big state school system there are many options. Many smaller schools within the state system scattered throughout that also have music programs (FAU, FIU, Florida Gulf Coast, etc.) There are also some small private colleges such as Stetson, U of Tampa, Jacksonville, and Florida Southern that have smaller, more intimate programs and may give some scholarship money. If you are a Florida resident, Bright Futures and the FLorida resident access grant can really make attending a school in state very appealing. Much to research just within the state.</p>
<p>Florida State is the best choice by far.</p>
<p>Sorry if this is tangential, but I have a related question as well.</p>
<p>Is it wise in assuming that UF would be the top academic reputation in the state? (And that FSU would be a bit behind in that regard?)</p>
<p>While consensus here seems that FSU would be a better music school, what about pursuing graduate degrees in an academic discipline? (i.e. composition, history, theory, musicology, ethno, etc) Would UF be a better destination?</p>
<p>Stetson University’s School of Music is among the best in FL, as well. Actually, I would say it is among the best in the tri-state area.</p>
<p>FSU is even a better choice for a graduate degree. UF may be have better programs in agriculture or engineering, but it can’t compare to FSU when it comes to music, film, liberal arts, etc…</p>
<p>I agree with JEZ that FSU would still be the best option for graduate program, hearing from students and educators who have experience within the state system. FSU is also a good academic school, just not as popular anymore with South Floridians due mostly to the location. I would recommend, of course, to research all the different options available at the many programs since there may be a gem hidden somewhere within these other programs. Being in the extensive FSU music community would definitely provide many musical opportunities for all studying music that may not be available at other schools.</p>