<p>Hello everyone,
I am brand new here to these forums. This seems like a wonderful site and I hope I can get some help with my coming college search. It's so crazy; I feel so out of my element right now.</p>
<p>I've been juggling with ideas of what to do with college for a very long time now. I wasn't sure what I even wanted to do a year ago. But I’ve had a lot more time to consider my options and my abilities and I definitely want to go into music. I've been taking piano lessons for over ten years now. It's sometimes daunting to think about auditioning or even being in an intense music environment. But I've pushed myself a lot this year and I have also been very involved in the music department at my school. </p>
<p>I will be graduating from high school in June and I'm planning to take a sabbatical for a year to focus on my music studies and get a job to earn some much needed money (hopefully I can find an occupation that includes my love of music). </p>
<p>I was hoping the CC community could offer opinions on some of the best music education schools out there. I've looked into University of Miami, University of the Pacific, USC, Towson University, and Eastman. I currently live in Southern Maryland. I know that most of these universities are all over the U.S. but at this point, I am more than willing to go the distance and really venture out of my comfort zone. I've lived in the same place all of my life and I'm ready to try other places. </p>
<p>I have visited New York a few times and I love the novelty of just visiting, but I'm not sure that I would enjoy going to school in the big apple. It just seems too out there. I actually visited Mannes and found that it was just lacking in terms of a real school environment. Plus I'm not too keen on colder weather. I'm only considering Eastman for the fact that it's a supposed to be a prestigious music school. I have nothing against Boston either; but I have nothing going for that area. </p>
<p>So my scope is kind of focused on Pennsylvania down along the east coast to Florida, and California, the other coast. </p>
<p>I am also interested in Music Therapy, which is why Miami and Pacific are on my list. I know that I don't want to major in Piano Studies. I'm good, but the caliber of a concert pianist seems so far out of my reach and out of what I want. I'm very passionate about my music and I love working with others. I have enjoyed being involved and supporting the choral, band and orchestra departments at my school. I also hope to continue playing violin in a school orchestra. Maybe someone could also offer me pointers on a good orchestra? </p>
<p>I hope I wasn’t too lengthy and boring. And for those of you who actually read all of this I hope you take the time to reply and give me some much-needed help. I have time now, but I know my time is going to go very fast.<br>
Thank you very much!</p>