Trombone Performance -- Which School?

<p>I just finished my junior year and high school and have really been looking at colleges lately. I've been looking at Northwestern, Eastman, and Indiana as my top three colleges. I know all three low brass departments are outstanding (Mulcahy and Vernon at NU; Marcellus and Kellogg at Eastman; and Stewart, Lenthe, and Ellefson at IU). I want to go into trombone performance, so which teachers I get are going to be very important in that aspect. O know schools like Northwester require that you get into both the university and the music school to get in the music school (so if the music school accepts you but the university doesn't, then you're not going there). And I know that Eastman has a separate campus from the Univ. of Rochester. One main thing that will influence where I go is money.</p>

<p>Here is a small list of my academic stats that may help me with scholarships (for the university):
ACT --- 34 (7 on writing... i took it again in June, so maybe my writing will be a little higher than a 7)
SAT I --- a lot lower than my ACT, so it won't be considered by the college
SAT II --- Chem - 800; Physics - 740; Math II - 800
Unweighted GPA --- 4.000
Weighted GPA --- 4.533 (based on 5-point scale with mixed AP/reg classes and cumulative from 9th grade through my 11th grade year)</p>

<p>If I were to choose Northwestern, that should be good enough to get me into the university, so the audition will be the main factor in deciding if I get in or not. Will these get me any money anywhere at these three schools? Or, since it is music, will all the money I get be based on the audition and how well I do, etc...? </p>

<p>Any information you can provide me with will be great. I'd just like to get some more info about these schools.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>My son who is also just finished junior year is looking at the schools you mentioned plus several others. His passion is jazz, that is also in the mix.</p>

<p>All are good. If money is an issue, Indiana might be the better choice than Eastman or Northwestern. Keep in mind that there may be grad school in your future, you will want to budget for that. Especially for undergrad,if there is there might be a strong trombone program at your state college you may want to look at that option. </p>

<p>I have heard that Northwestern is very competitive and is not generous with money. In Chicago, many students look at DePaul, who also has Charlie Vernon on the faculty along with Tim Coffin and Mark Fisher</p>

<p>What is most important is to visit the 3 schools plus several others and take sample lessons with the professors. It does not matter how good a teacher is, if you do not click with them, it will be a long 4 years.</p>

<p>Keep us posted on your search</p>