Georgia Girl

...just wanted to add a few comments on Thornton at the University of Southern California. It is a large school of music which has a long tradition of jazz studies. Although the size offers many benefits, the freshmen class is just a bit over 100. The location in the heart of a huge entertainment industry is a plus.

Jazz Studies features:

Bass
Alphonso Johnson
Edwin Livingston
Darek Oleszkiewicz

Composition and Jazz Arranging
John Daversa
Jason Goldman
Vince Mendoza
Bob Mintzer

Percussion
Ndugu Chancler
Peter Erskine
Roy McCurdy
Aaron Serfaty

Piano
Dave Arnay
Russell Ferrante
Alan Pasqua, Chair

Saxaphone
Jason Goldman
Bob Mintzer
Bob Sheppard

Trombone
Jacques Voyemant
Bill Watrous

Trumpet
Gil Castellanos
Ron McCurdy
John Thomas

Vocal Jazz
Kristin Korb

Jazz History
Thom Mason

Studio/Jazz Guitar
Adam del Monte
Bruce Forman
Pat Kelley
Timothy Kobza
Frank Potenza-Chair
Richard Smith
Nick Stoubis
Steve Trovato
Carl Verheyen

There is collaboration with the USC School of Theatre and the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

USC offers merit scholarships and a strong financial aid program.

Ensembles are:
Thornton Percussion Ensemble
Thornton Jazz Orchestra
ALAJE Jazz Ensemble
USC Crescendo Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Thornton Jazz Honors Combo

jtrain17

Where's the love for FSU? It's very, very legit. I've learned from several of their jazz professors at a summer workshop and they're FANTASTIC, particularly Leon Anderson (drums) and Scotty Barnhart (trumpet). In the South, anyway, it's very reputable.

kingcurtis

Any suggestions between UNT and UT at Austin for jazz sax performance - undergrad?

oregonJazz

Western Oregon University some of the best music faculty I've ever seen. Great performance opportunities.

solomarce1

There are other programs that have quality education as well, good to prepare you for college. Check out New York Jazz Academy at New York Jazz Academy | NYC's Fastest-Growing Music School | Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island
Their summer jazz intensives, for example, will definitely take your playing and understanding of jazz to another level. You will be surprised programs likes these with such amazing price exist.