@empower: I think you might do better if you ask something like a list of the top music schools for piano performance, flute, etc…even for people ‘in the know’ it all comes down to what someone is looking for.
The more time I spend in “music” (and I’m a non-musical person), the more I realize how absurd these lists are…but of course they are absurd for any college search really. As we all know, it’s all about money and PR…and look its working yet again.
I only found these useful as the very first step. Not having any experience in music, I looked at these to see what schools kept popping up just to get some names on a list. But when you’re a green banana that’s what you do. Luckily I had other music teachers/professional helping my D out along the way with other recommendations based on her skill set.
@TomSrOfBoston, here’s a link to a list, which I’ve posted before, of conservatories, college music schools and college music programs that was put together by a pre-college music school in Scarsdale, NY:
http://www.hbms.org/pdf/Hoff-college-list-handout.pdf
It’s helpfully divided into standalone conservatories, separate music schools within a larger university, and a small sampling of colleges that are noted for having strong music programs (but without a separate music school). It’s not comprehensive by any means, and it’s a bit on the East Coast-centric side, but it’s as good as any I’ve seen in terms of providing a starting point in compiling a list of well regarded music schools and programs. From there, it’s then a function of digging into the details and trying to find the right fit for your student.
There’s a book entitled “Creative Colleges” that lists conservatories, music schools and colleges with good music schools. There isn’t a lot of info but if you want to check out names it is helpful.
I have been sharing the humorous list with quite a few people. Good timing as Compdad said.
@Palomina don’t be sorry! This is a great list of some top music schools! Just a guide, like any list, and certainly a good place to start a college search for a musician!
The problem with that is it depends on what the student is looking for, Berklee is great for contemporary music and recording technology and so forth, but is not for classical musicians. Some of the programs mentioned have a great recording technology program, but in terms of music are so-so in most areas. The article was written with a focus on Hollywood (yeah, I know, duh), and tried to go too broad and become a music school superstar list. I don’t even think it i s a pretty good starting point, unless you wanted to get into movie music or recording technology, there are better lists to be found, and more importantly, even better to ask on here and other places with specifics on what you are seeking in music, it all depends on what you want to do. For example, there are some top conservatories that if someone was on piano or violin, I would recommend trying for, but if it was a voice major, some of them I would tell the person are not great for voice from what I have heard (primarily based on undergrad students getting performing opportunities and faculty).