Where to go for a music major in California

<p>I want to know which schools provide the best program for alto/tenor saxophone performance and jazz studies. I've heard good things about UCSB, USC, UCLA, and UCSC, but i just wanted more opinions.</p>

<p>Long Beach State U, Chapman U, U of Redlands, U of Pacific, Cal Arts. I don’t have information about your particular desired program, but these schools may be worth a second look.</p>

<p>I second sopranomom’s additional list. Also Cal State Northridge for jazz. My son’s friend is at UCLA on jazz sax and thoroughly enjoying himself. Another is at USC as an Engineering Major, with a minor (I think) in Jazz Sax - also thoroughly enjoying himself. And another bandmate (jazz trombone) is at UC Irvine.</p>

<p>I could never get a strong sense of the music scene at Santa Cruz. And have no idea about the jazz scene at Santa Barbara.</p>

<p>U of Pacific and Chapman would definitely be worth a look. </p>

<p>Also are you a classical saxophonist looking for a program with a good classical performance AND jazz studies program? If so I would look at SFCo. Not sure if you are trying to double major based on the original post.</p>

<p>SfCM does not offer saxophone or jazz studies.</p>

<p>Does anyone know about Pepperdine for voice performance? My S loves the location and his dad works close by.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1221247-voice-programs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1221247-voice-programs.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Megpmom, musicamusica had some comments, post #8 in this thread.</p>

<p>Pacific would be a great choice as it is home of the Brubeck Institute,
[B.A&lt;/a&gt;. Music, Emphasis in Jazz Studies - University of the Pacific](<a href=“http://www.pacific.edu/Conservatory-of-Music/Degrees/BA-Music-Jazz.html]B.A”>http://www.pacific.edu/Conservatory-of-Music/Degrees/BA-Music-Jazz.html)</p>

<p>Some places others haven’t mentioned yet:</p>

<p>The Colburn School is a very selective full-scholarship music conservatory in LA. They offer jazz through their School of Performing Arts, but I’m not sure if they do at their Collegiate division: the Conservatory. May be worth looking into.</p>

<p>Pomona is a nice liberal arts college with active music happenings, including classical, jazz and world music. It might be nice to check out as an undergrad for a highly individualized BA degree.</p>

<p>UC Irvine has a growing innovative MFA program in contemporary music (composition, computer music, jazz) that seems to be fast becoming the face of their overall music department. As a jazz undergrad, you will get to interact with a lot of the grad students there.</p>

<p>A much bigger music school would be UCSD. Very eclectic department, with something for everyone. Their doctoral programs are considered very prestigious, and they also have some of the top name faculty in all of the West Coast.</p>

<p>I second the person who noted the Brubeck Institute at University of the Pacific. Check out their conservatory as well as the university. While I am not a musician, I found this to be a very warm university. I recall clearly that there were several renowned music faculty there in my day.</p>