Schools with BA in jazz studies, contemporary guitar, music theory

College Majors Music Major
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<p>Most of the music degrees/departments I have seen offer BM, not BA.</p>

<p>Looking for suggestions for colleges (most likely in the Northeast or mid-Atlantic) that have a BA that would suit someone who plays guitar quite well, enjoys a variety of styles including Jazz, Rock, Contemporary, a bit of classical. Has taken AP Music Theory and years of performing on guitar as well as a variety of other instruments. Can sing, too.</p>

<p>Might want to double major in another field. (Most likely a science.) I know this is nearly impossible with a serious BM, so a BA or music minor would be preferable. </p>

<p>B/B+ student in top public high school. SAT in 2000 range. SATIIs in 650 range. Well-rounded, good ECs. Cost not a big factor. NY resident, so something in the East would be preferable.</p>

<p>Prefer 4 year university with a variety of majors available and clubs, etc, probably not conservatory or independent music school. Urban/suburban would be better than rural, but open to suggestion about size/location. Passionate about music, but interested in a well-rounded education as well. </p>

<p>Have done searches for programs, but most music majors/minors do not offer guitar.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

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<p>Greetings. I’ll let other posters talk about the plethora of programs in the northeast, with which I am not overly familiar. Instead, I’ll stick to what I know ;)</p>

<p>The University of Michigan has a Bachelor of Musical Arts as part of its jazz department that is specifically designed for cohort, double degree type of study (eg. in science.) The BMA is out of the School of Music, but I believe you would find both the flexibility and the quality you’re looking for – not sure about guitar instruction specifically but if you’re not doing a performance degree not sure it would matter a great deal since you can’t swing a cat in Ann Arbor without finding an awesome guitarist, so lots of study options, I’d think. (Esp. since other instruments. Theory and musicology at UMich are quite strong, btw. Lots of contemporary work going on as well, including digital music ensemble, etc.)
LSA (literature science and arts) also has a BA music program that uses many of the SOM teachers. There are ample performance opportunities (formal and casual) and Ann Arbor is an awesome college town with urban access.</p>

<p>The only caveat is whether the “B/B+” means the GPA is lower than 3.5 and whether your son/daughter’s course selection has been “highly rigorous.” That’s because if he/she were applying straight to LSA on academic terms, the stronger shot is a GPA above 3.75 (under 3.5 drop to approximately 10 - 15% of those admitted) to be above the 50th percentile, top 10% of class etc. 2000 SAT is doable at about 50% percentile admit.</p>

<p>THAT SAID, if s/d is passionate about music and applies via the SOM, the baseline to be allowed audition/interview is considerably lower at 3.0 GPA. </p>

<p>McSon has several friends from a set of NY public schools that UMich is known to favor. Can’t remember all the names of them, but if your s/d’s school is one of them, his/her admit chances would be stronger. They especially like “well rounded” students, it seems. Unbelievable number of club, social, greek, ec, performance opportunities due to population of school, yet my son finds the SOM itself very intimate and collegial.</p>

<p>Hope that helps.
BTW, a half hour away there is a uni called Wayne state that DOES have guitar (but BM I think). Not the rep of UMich though. My son is OOT right now, but I can ask him for more info for you if you’re interested as he knows a boatload of guitarists at the SOM. Also, here’s the music site: [UM</a> School of Music, Theatre & Dance](<a href=“http://music.umich.edu%5DUM”>http://music.umich.edu)
Cheers,
K</p>

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<p>Take a look at UMass Amherst. They have a pretty good jazz program from what I hear and they offer a BA that might make it easier to double major within the college of Liberal Arts. If I am interpreting the website correctly, the BA program plan includes lessons and ensembles. I don’t always see this in BA requirements at other schools. S is in a similar situation - B/B+ student in rigorous courses - and a guitarist. As of now, this school is on his list.</p>

<p>[UMass</a> Amherst: Department of Music and Dance: Undergraduate Music Programs and Degrees](<a href=“http://www.umass.edu/music/programs_undergrad.php#badegree]UMass”>http://www.umass.edu/music/programs_undergrad.php#badegree)</p>

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<p>Ithaca College!</p>

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<p>Do check out UMass. They also have a Jazz in July program which our S took advantage of. Worked with Billy Taylor and Dana Leong one summer- great experience. Amherst is a neat college town as well.
Jeff Holmes is the Jazz Dept Head and he’s excellent and very approachable. Have your S email him if he has questions. The guitar prof is also very accessible. S didn’t choose to attend UMass because he’s one of those guys who wanted all music all the time and he got that at Berklee. Good solid program though and excellent for people who may also have interests elsewhere.</p>

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<p>Thanks guys! </p>

<p>Mich will be a reach with his GPA, but something to consider, so thanks for all the specific info. UMass Amherst and Ithaca are more realistic with his grades, and any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks so much for the good advice!</p>

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<p>One other thought, though even further from the east coast: Belmont University in Nashville has a BA with Music Major program, plus contemporary and no shortage of guitar (I believe). Academic profile range might be a fit; tuition is reasonable, etc. School is a major player in commercial music, sound engineering, etc. Just a thought.</p>

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<p>I’m interested in this thread. My S is in a similar boat academically to AParentalUnit (great user name!). We have U Mass/Amherst on the list too, but I’ve heard that there are severe budget cuts and I’m wondering how I can find out if that’s affected the music dept. Does anyone have that knowledge or can suggest how I find out?
Thanks</p>

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<p>When my daughter was applying to schools, UMass Amherst said no to classical guitar. Perhaps they have other types of guitar. UMass Lowell has a good reputation for guitar, and is very selective for it.</p>

<p>Ithaca and Hartt both have great guitar departments, and I think Bennington college does too. Don’t know about Bard or Sarah Lawrence. Oberlin has both classical and jazz guitar. BU didn’t have guitar either, as I remember- but check on that.</p>

<p>Here is an essay on different ways to study music that might be helpful:</p>

<p>[Double</a> Degrees | Peabody Conservatory](<a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html]Double”>http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html)</p>

<p>Many BA programs don’t have a lot of performance, but instead focus on academic music such as history, theory, composition, ethnomusicology and technology in music.</p>

<p>BA programs in music are usually 1/4- to 1/2 music (academic mostly) and BM programs are 2/3-2/4 music, with lots of performance of course. There are options to do a double major, a major and minor, or even a double degree for both a BA and BM.</p>

<p>Another option is to look at schools like Bennington and Sarah Lawrence, where students can do performance and academics and combine them in any way they like. This was the path my dancer daughter took, with a situation that was the dance equivalent of your son’s.</p>

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<p>There are changes in the wind for Hartt’s guitar department, so do your research carefully before applying there for guitar.</p>

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<p>I would echo stradmom’s advice re Hartt. As for Bennington, I was unaware they had a guitar dept. Is this a new offering?</p>

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<p>AParentalUnit - I sent you a private message.</p>

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<p>Please look at the OPs date. The original post was from 2010.</p>

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<p>This thread was revived 10/28 by marsp7.</p>

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<p>sorry, I should have been more specific–I did not want othermusicdad to be surprised if the OP did not respond to his PM :)</p>