<p>My son (HS junior) is early in the music school search process. He's definitely looking for conservatory (BMus or BFA), not liberal arts (BA). His background is both jazz and classical, but he's now really focussed on jazz. Principal instrument piano, second saxophone. He's done a lot of classical composing, and more recently some in jazz and hip-hop. Anticipating a jazz composition major, or possibly cross-departmental (for example, Musical Arts at CalArts. I thnk he's pretty good, but I'm a parent, not a musician.</p>
<p>His composition and sax teachers have suggested he consider CalArts, Manhattan School of Music, and Oberlin. Composition teacher also suggests Cal State Northridge (we're in California). Piano teacher has suggested CalArts.</p>
<p>We're currently looking at those four, plus The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, New England Conservatory, Berklee. We'll visit the five Northeast schools of this list in April.</p>
<p>Any comments/advice? What to ask/look for when visiting schools? Thanks!</p>
<p>I would also suggest Peabody Conservatory. It has quality faculty in every major, plus a respectable jazz studies department. We went to a fabulous jazz concert last week. The conductor/composer had the students perform 5 of his latest works, they played at a very high level, and the compositions themselves were the best things I’ve heard in a while (I am a musician, not just a parent.) The other thing about Peabody is that you get a complete conservatory education in a collaborative, collegial environment, PLUS you can take any class you like at Johns Hopkins University (astronomy? art history? Italian? you name it, they have it!) The only comparable school in my mind is Northwestern (Evanston, Illinois)–top notch university with a conservatory-level music department. Juilliard says you can take classes at Columbia, but there are roadblocks.</p>
<p>Here are some questions you should ask:
–how are students placed in ensembles?
–are students guaranteed the right to play in those ensembles at concerts, or do they just rehearse with the ensemble?
–how often do the students have lessons? With professors or grad students?
–are there master classes in the studios? (My son’s trumpet professor holds a weekly master class for the entire studio in addition to their lessons, with the students taking turns playing. Incredible opportunity to learn.)
–how are accompanists assigned for solos/juries? Are they paid for with your tuition and fees, or are these additional costs to be incurred throughout college?
–how is the keyboard requirement met (all conservatories have it)–if a student is already a pianist, can they test out or waive it?
–if a student is a composition major, how and when will the compositions be performed, if at all?
–what are the other course requirements/distribution requirements? Are there requirements for languages/sciences/math/liberal arts etc?
–can students practice in their dorm rooms? If not, are there sufficient practice rooms? How are they assigned?
–if the student is accepted as a jazz studies major or composition, but then decides to switch to sax performance, is that allowed or do they have to re-audition for that other major? I have heard of some schools that kick you out if you decide to change majors within the conservatory but there is no room in the other studio…</p>
<p>My best advice is to read absolutely everything on the websites for the schools you are interested in. You will start to see that some schools give you info that other schools don’t mention, which will then add to your list of questions for the others.</p>
<p>I would look through threads on the Music Major forum (or post this same question there) available from the main forum page.</p>
<p>“The only comparable school in my mind is Northwestern (Evanston, Illinois)–top notch university with a conservatory-level music department.”</p>
<p>Michigan also has both areas covered.</p>