<p>Thanks guys! I’m looking more at small/medium sized schools, but all the info helps!</p>
<p>Oberlin, Lawrence U, St. Olaf.</p>
<p>At these small LAC’s, you get individualized attention and a world class music conservatory (can’t go wrong there.)</p>
<p>Plus, Jay Gatsby went to St. Olaf!</p>
<p>Fordham would likely give you very significant merit aid. If you want a thriving music scene, it’s hard to beat NYC.</p>
<p>Here are some small schools in or near major cities in the Pacific Northwest
-University of Puget Sound
-Lewis & Clark
-Reed</p>
<p>Also, just wanted to point out that at many highly selective schools a disproportionately high number of students spent years involved with their high school’s orchestra/choir/band. They may not have wanted to major in music but many are still interested in the scene. Even more students are just interested in going to concerts and might develop a ride share system like they have at Emory.</p>
<p>Michigan, among others, has these two well known venues/series in Ann Arbor:</p>
<p>[UMS</a> » University Musical Society](<a href=“http://www.ums.org/]UMS”>http://www.ums.org/)</p>
<p>[The</a> Ark - where music lives](<a href=“http://www.theark.org/]The”>http://www.theark.org/)</p>
<p>It also contains a highly rated conservatory level school of Music, Theater, and Dance:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.music.umich.edu/index.php[/url]”>http://www.music.umich.edu/index.php</a></p>
<p>Unlike Yale, it offers undergraduate degrees as well. ;-)</p>
<p>UT Austin.</p>
<p>Oberlin. And not just classical music. The campus, college and conservatory, is passionate about all kinds of music, and best of all, it’s FREE! Visit and check it out.</p>
<p>Add Vassar to your list of colleges with excellent music programs and a beautiful music building. If you want a liberal arts college with strong music, Vassar is it. Concerts are supported and cheered on by faculty, students, parents/families and community people. Campus bands and A-capella groups are numerous. Also, S1 attended several concerts right in Poughkeepsie - bands stop on the way from NYC to Albany. </p>
<p>Try to make time to visit schools and rehearsals/performances. We were glad we did because we did not know how strong the music was at Vassar until we visited.</p>
<p>Also, I need to mention Ithaca and the Hartt School of the University of Hartford (both have conservatories). Your stats may get you merit money at both. Look into it. Ithaca is a great town!</p>
<p>There were also surprises like Bucknell’s awesome jazz band and Hamilton College’s orchestra. We heard both and they were great! Get out and visit and you may be surprised also!</p>
<p>OP - Are you looking to participate in music groups or be in the audience? What kind of major?</p>
<p>colorado_mom, I don’t do school band/orchestra, but I am in an indie band w friends (I play guitar/mandolin). So I’d like to participate at open mics and things like that, but probably not any school-affiliated groups, if that helps. And for majors, I’m planning on IR/poli sci/languages.</p>
<p>Oberlin. Music conservatory. 25% of people there are music majors.</p>
<p>Anything in Minneapolis</p>
<p>Can’t believe no one has mentioned Athens, Georgia and UGA.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt is a medium size school. Incoming freshman class of 1600. Great conservatory. Research University. And Nashville.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt, yup. Blair School of Music on campus. Nashville off, and they don’t call it music city for nothing, and it’s not just country music – it’s all types, and all aspects of the music business. Basically, Nashville is hot these days. According to one recent survey of leading music scenes: Topping the list is Nashville. Its concentration of music, musicians, and recording and music publishing businesses is nothing short of astounding Americas one-time capital of country music is now its music leader across the board, and the home base of superstars from Taylor Swift to Jack White and his Third Man Studios.</p>
<p>Adding to the Vanderbilt comments, not only do you have close proximity to live music year round, but there are wonderful opportunities on campus. Rites of Spring is held at the end of April each year and this year saw a special visit to campus by Billy Joel where a VU student, Michael Pollock, was able to join him onstage. The country music class is widely popular because of the frequent guests, which used to include alum Dierks Bentley.</p>
<p>[Top</a> Music Schools in USA, Music School Rankings, Best Music Schools in USA by Rankings](<a href=“http://www.musiccolleges.com/top_school_rankings/index.html]Top”>Top Music Schools in USA, Music School Rankings, Best Music Schools in USA by Rankings)</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there are no music school ranking lists that make good sense, and that one is pretty bizarre.</p>
<p>OP is not asking about music programs and conservatories - the question was music “scene”</p>
<p>^^^I realize that. My point was to those posters who were saying how strong Vanderbilt is as a music school.</p>
<p>I guess the answer is “it depends”. If you’re interested in going to music concerts (as opposed to majoring in it, Tulane would be an excellent choice, given its prime location in New Orleans. If you want to major in music (and become a professional), aren’t the best choices Oberlin and Indiana?</p>