<p>hi!!! i used to want to be a science major, but then i realized that i'll be so much happier in life if i went with what i loved...my sister is going to MIT next year, and i would really love to go to school somewhere nearby. so, does anybody know of any good music schools (esp. ones that have a good music education program/jazz studies) up in MA, in the Boston or Cambridge area? i'm going into 10th grade next year, so i figured i might as well start looking...i know the Berklee college of music is there, but i'm more looking for a university. thanks for all your help :D</p>
<p>There’s a music major specific forum here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/</a>, with plenty of insightful knowledgeable folks. </p>
<p>Without knowing your instrument, level, years of training just naming schools is a shotgun approach. If you know little or nothing about audition based admits, please begin your reading here <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>. It adds a completely different dimension to the application process.</p>
<p>starletofthesea, welcome. As I said, it’s not necessarily prudent to throw out school names without knowing a bit more of your musical background, years of private instruction, summer immersion and/or youth orchestra participation. Also, grades and academic stats play more of a role in a music ed admission than a straight performance admit.</p>
<p>You specify a university. Berklee is a conservatory, with a main focus on contemporary performance. While they list a music ed degree, (as does New England Conservatory, also in Boston), they are not necessarily the most cost effective or seamless programs for a straight music ed pursuit.</p>
<p>In Boston proper, the two that come to mind are Boston University, with a solid music school and Boston Conservatory, with a combined five year BM/MMusEd option.</p>
<p>Music ed is often most cost effective at your own instate flagship or a dedicated state college specializing in education. There are reasons to look beyond your state publics in the case of “better” programs in terms of peer level talent, specific applied instructor choice, or possibilities of more generous talent, merit or need based aid.</p>
<p>If you’re just starting to look at music schools, please take the time to do some in-depth reading here. Most parents and high school gc’s have no clue when it comes to what to consider in looking at a music program. BassDad covers all the basics in his post I linked you to. Beyond that, use the search this forum button, and use “music ed” and “music education” as your search criteria. If you check the title search circle, you’ll get get better results. Probably two or three pages under each, worth reading through as general background.</p>
<p>Come back with questions. Most of the posters here have or are putting their “kids” through the process. You will find a wealth of collective wisdom.</p>