Hello! I am a jazz studies and environmental science double major! I am super serious about guitar and am picking between Columbia and USC. Does anyone here have any insight into either of these schools’ jazz programs?
Columbia (I assume you mean Columbia University in NYC) does not have a performance program, but they do have an active music program. In theory, you could apply to the exchange program with Juilliard (I assume they do this for Jazz students) where you take lessons at Juilliard while attending columbia (there also is a more advanced program which allows you if you get in to finish you degree at Columbia, take lessons at Juilliard, then when you finish with Columbia get your MM at Juilliard).
Columbia like many elite schools encourages music, they look for musical kids, and they for example pay for lessons,have ensembles and such (I am more familiar with classical than jazz as a caveat). I looked at their jazz studies program and it is not a performance degree, it looks like it is an academic program of jazz studies.
I assume you could do similar program at Thornton, but what it sounds like is at Thornton you would be doing a BM degree, and that would be different. While with the Columbia program you would be taking some theory courses as part of the Jazz studies, with a BM (and again, I am not an expert on Jazz, so take it for what it is worth) the level of theory and ear training and such would likely be more intense than doing jazz studies at Columbia (on the other hand, the jazz studies from their website looks a lot more broad than a BM would likely be, it has things like ethnomusicology classes you may not get at Thornton)., and I suspect you would get more required ensemble training at Thornton and less academic classes in the BM.
It really depends on what drives you forward, you might like doing the jazz studies program while taking lessons on guitar and playing in the ensembles on campus, but if you are someone who needs a more intense experience, to be pushed (columbia likely would be more a pull with playing and ensembles, you would likely have to seek out ensembles and such, rather than at Thornton being told to do this and that, if Jazz is the same as other types of music), Thornton might be better for you. I know kids who love music but deliberately didn’t do a BM, some did a dual BA in music and something else with the BA in academic music, but took lessons and did a lot of music, again it comes down to you and what drives you forward, if you are someone who does better with high requirements (rather than driving it yourself) then USC might be better.
Thornton has a BA Jazz Studies major and is considered #2 music school in the nation, congrats! USC is also very of dual degrees. Can you visit before deciding?
It’s very important to consider “what if” scenario when considering a double major between these two colleges. Just because you like to start out as a double major doesn’t mean you’ll end up graduating as a double major. In other words, ask yourself, should double major doesn’t work out, which major would you be most likely degree in. I’ve heard of students who start out as a double major but end up dropping one, especially at academically challenging institutions like Columbia U. My S is starting out as a music major with a pre-med track, but we do anticipate, and have plans for, off-track possibilities.
Happy to see that @jazzpianodad reached out to you on the Columbia University forum. He’s a great resource for info about jazz at Columbia.
Would you be doing a BA in both schools? I’m confused!
Are you drawn to NYC or LA? What other variables are you looking at?
A double major is easier to pull off than a double degree, though the double degree has 5 years. Tigger Dad’s son will be doing science, presumably (there is no premed track at many schools) so music and science can be tough because of labs and practice/rehearsals/performance commitments. But people do it.
Thank you so for the advice everybody! I have visited both schools. I’m from SF so USC feels like home. Columbia feels like a challenge, but also has an amazing jazz scene which LA can’t meet. In general, despite the slight foreignness of The east coast, I like New York better. If I went to USC, it would be a 5 year program. Columbia would be four. I’m a very hardworking student and am up for a challenge for sure. I’m very self driven and took a gap year to hone my musical skills. The time has given me many original compositions and more confidence in my sight reading and various other skills I’ll need in a college setting. I really care about finding players and teachers who push me and opportunities to perform and play a lot. I also like columbia’a flexibility in determining my majors. At USC, the dual degree would make it hard for me to explore my second major (i.e. Maybe I’ll like chemistry or poly sci or something else I find in the core more than environmental science. That would be harder at USC).
Sounds like you have made a good decision!
If you go to Columbia, you may want to check out the New York Youth Symphony Jazz program, it is open to college age students and might be something you would think of.
I’m only on the board sporadically these days so just saw this thread. Don’t know much about the USC program, but my son graduated last year from Columbia and is currently doing jazz full time. The Columbia jazz program is excellent for a non-music school, but as others have pointed out in this thread, it is not a music school and does not have a BM program. My son was not a music major and, while he took advantage of the music resources at Columbia, he also accessed a myriad of music resources in NYC outside of Columbia. He chose Columbia over some very good music schools to which he was also admitted, and does not regret the choice. That said, he did have to work harder to make sure he had enough music within the context of a non-music school. Columbia’s location in NYC made that possible.
Among the resources available in NYC, beyond the Columbia jazz program (which, as noted, is very strong), are some mentioned above, such as the Columbia-Juilliard program (primarily designed for classical musicians, but there are typically a few jazz musicians in the program at any given time) and the NYYS jazz orchestra. Admission to both, of course, is very competitive. There are also resources at other schools such as Manhattan School of Music, New School and NYU, though none of those has a formal program with Columbia. And there are many venues for jazz performance and many very talented jazz musicians in and around NYC. During his four years, my son thrived in the Columbia jazz program and was able to access many of the resources in NYC outside of Columbia as well. Columbia tends to attract a number of talented jazz musicians every year who could easily have gone to a top conservatory or music school but who choose Columbia instead.
Feel free to PM me for more detailed info - I try not to post anything that is too identifying on the public board.