<p>As I've been exploring my options, it seems Northwestern comes up in music college discussion a lot, but how does its jazz program stack up to UNT, Eastman, NEC or Oberlin?</p>
<p>Just wondering from you experienced people...</p>
<p>Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>I would think that, just as the rest of the school is wonderful, the jazz program would be top-tier as well.</p>
<p>look at Berklee School of Music jazzguitar</p>
<p>I'm actually being taught by a Berklee professor right now, but to throw myself in and say, "I'm going to Berklee," is a little bit much for me right now. I'm just trying to keep my options open right now, for great jazz programs and good academics (whic I've already discussed a little on CC).</p>
<p>Thankyou for the input.</p>
<p>Northwestern's jazz program is in great neglect. There has been no head of the jazz dept. for at least a year, only an interim one. They reluctantly take some jazz students only if they are accomplished classical students. It is one of the few jazz programs that insists on a classical audition also. Eastman, Oberlin, Michigan, and most others don't, although Julliard does. If you are looking for a great jazz program along with the caliber of academics of a Northwestern, try USC, Oberlin, Michigan, NYU, or UCLA.</p>
<p>I was under the impression that Julliard didn't require a classical audition, while Eastman does. At least this is what I've found online (I also emailed Eastman, and she said all jazz students must take classical lessons there as well for two years).</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Beethoven's 10th is right; there is no head of the jazz department at NU right now,and the program has been in flux for almost two years. </p>
<p>Eastman does require a classical audition, as does Michigan (if memory serves me correctly).</p>
<p>Several departments in the NU School of Music have been in trouble for a while. Though some are getting better, I would argue that the faculty flux and overturn rates have greatly hurt the matriculation and yield rates for the school in those departments. You go there to risk neglect from the administration as a jazz student. When I was there as a freshman last year, out of the hundred something freshman music students, I was the only classical composer and only one kid was in the jazz studies program. </p>
<p>On the other hand, there was an abundance of voice majors. For the time being...I would look somewhere else. Perhaps at least until they get a permanent director for the program. </p>
<p>With that said, my friend is in one of the two jazz bands....and they are of top quality.</p>
<p>There are 4 possible undergraduate jazz degrees at Michigan--B. of Fine Arts in Jazz and Contemplative Studies, B. of Fine Arts in Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation, B. of Fine Arts in Jazz Studies, and B. of Musical Arts. The mainstream jazz degree (B. of Fine Arts in Jazz Studies) requires no classical audition. The others do.</p>
<p>I stand corrected about Eastman and Juillard. I thought it was the opposite. Of course Juilliard is not a liberal arts college like Northwestern and even though it has a reciprocal arrangement with Columbia it is not the same as being on the same campus. Even though Eastman is part of U. of Rochester, it is not at the same location. This is similar to Peabody/Johns Hopkins where there are separate campuses.</p>
<p>For what the original poster is looking for, I would still suggest USC or Oberlin or, if you don't mind the large size, Michigan, Indiana, or UCLA. U. of Miami also has an excellent jazz program and the academics are improving every year. Miami only requires a very basic classical audition for sax and bass. The other instruments (guitar, trombone, trumpet, piano, drums) don't require any classical audition.</p>
<p>One word of caution on USC. They have the very finest jazz faculty in the country. Most are quite famous. The problem is, many of them are busy performing and recording, so they might be gone from the campus for several weeks at a time. Most either cram in multiple lessons during the weeks they are at the school, or send in subs to teach for them--not the best of circumstances, especially for an undergraduate. it's not quite as important for graduate students, who don't need the weekly guidance quite as much. Speaking of which, at some schools with large graduate programs in jazz (like Indiana) undergraduates are basically competing with grad students to get in the best combos and bands. You might consider this while looking at various schools.</p>
<p>This is all helping a lot, thankyou for the input. I still have some time (gonna be a junior), but it doesn't hurt to know the things you guys are telling me. Thanks!</p>
<p>UNT is huge, biggest music factory, I mean school in the country. 2 to 3 times the size of conservatories.</p>
<p>Would not be my cup of team but I am sure it has its advantages.</p>
<p>FluteMomLiz - Is there some reason why you have to demean UNT, calling it a 'music factory'? Sorry it's not your cup of team. Have you ever been there? If so, please share your experience and impressions. I believe that Indiana also has around 1,500 music majors. Would you be willing to call it the same? They, of course, are more classically oriented, but UNT is one of the top music schools in the U.S. Just because you don't 'do' the West coast, or probably anything east of NY, doesn't mean that there are not great programs. This board is getting very *****y and annoying..... with bkb1959 or whatever his name is... promoting NW every chance he gets, when he really has no idea what he's talking about (he's an incoming freshman, I believe). And also the narrow-minded eastern mentality is really a turn-off for those of those who live on the west coast. I know that we don't have the schools (Eastman, Julliard, Curtis) etc. but that's no reason to discount the great programs that are offered ALL over the country. There are many new folks who will access this site and be discouraged by the constant references to Eastman, Julliard, etc. when a small, small and I mean SMALL fraction of music students will be admitted to any of those institutions. That doesn't mean that all of the valuable information from parents and students who DO attend these conservatories is not appreciated.. it is. But only if it is very informed and constructive. Just to say, "Northwestern is just a great school, so of course its music school is great", or something like that, is so lame and boring and just not appreciated. If you have first-hand knowledge about a school, please post, otherwise, kindly don't waste your time or ours.</p>
<p>It sounded to me like FluteMomLiz was just sharing her opinion, and calling the school "a music factory" doesn't reflect negatively on the school as far as I'm concerned.</p>
<p>Even if an opinion isn't informed, and I'm not saying anybody heres isn't, the poster is still entitled to it. I think we should all remember that before starting a slug-fest.</p>
<p>first of all, my name is bkb1958.</p>
<p>second of all, i consider myself a very informed and accomplished musician-something also substantiated by awards and accomplishments(as most people are on this board)- and don't appreciate your comments. it is YOUR comments that do not contribute to this board-through their negativity and demeanor. </p>
<p>if you don't agree with me about northwestern, i'm sorry. but if it's such a terrible program, then it seems to me you would have no need to so actively degrade it...</p>
<p>Different students are looking for different types of experiences. </p>
<p>I don't see what the big deal is, actually, with people offering different impressions of schools. Some of these impressions are based on facts, and many are based on opinions. In the last analysis, I'd hope that the readers here are savvy enough not to let anonymous opinions sway as important an decision as where to attend music school.</p>
<p>PS BkB, no one was "actively degrading" NU's jazz program, but merely stating facts. It iS without a director, and IS in flux.</p>
<p>Allmusic..Well said!</p>
<p>when i said "actively degrade," i was referring to her comment that i don't know what i'm talking about, etc...about nu in general. i'll be honest-i don't know too terribly much about the jazz program myself. i was speaking in general.</p>
<p>"I'd hope that the readers here are savvy enough not to let anonymous opinions sway as important an decision as where to attend music school."</p>
<p>That's a very good point. I don't think anybody here is naive enough to take this information without a grain of salt. This is a forum, made up of people just like you and me. I'm sorry if it sounded otherwise, but what I was asking was your opinion of NU's jazz program and how it compares to other programs. And I appreciate the advice I received very much, but it doesn't mean I will decide 4 years of my life based upon that advice alone.</p>
<p>I also can understand ViolinmomLiz's opinion that this forum tends to focus on Eastern music schools, but that should probably be addressed in a separate thread. And the only reason these people focus on those certain schools is because they have more experience with them, I wouldn't want advice from then on Western schools they have never seen!</p>
<p>Jazzguitar, I wasn't talking to you specifically, but sort of out to the wind...that noone should be upset about anyone else's opinion about schools. </p>
<p>I know that I find the the input and advice offered by parents and matriculated students who have already been through the audition process, very useful and helpful. But, I also know that musicians need to see conservatory programs personally to narrow choices and make decisions.</p>
<p>It's great that you are researching everything already, Jazzguitar. I know you will find a terrific university/conservatory for yourself !</p>
<p>Thankyou, I hope I do!</p>