<p>You might want to add Belmont University to your list. My S is going there this fall to study commercial music composition and arranging. We live in Pennsylvania and are not worried about the “southern-ness” of the school; there are dozens of kids in the freshman class from the Northeast and some from as far away as California and Idaho. Lots of merit and need-based aid available. Very artsy community with a large school of music and large musical theater and visual arts programs. Close to Vanderbilt and actually shares some library priveleges there, but much smaller and much less expensive. Has some Division I sports and a very cool student center with a rock-climbing wall in it.</p>
<p>May be a little tough to get in next year as both of the American Idiol finalists this year have said they want to go to Belmont!</p>
I really appreciate them.</p>