apacasia

Dear trpt2345-
I can't agree more with your post about the need to match students with the attitude of the music school. That is my biggest concern. My son is a piano player and both his classical and jazz teachers feel that he has great promise. However, from your description of Eastman, I can tell that he would not be happy in that environment. He loves to play with really good players, but has always done so in a collarborative setting with lots of support. He prefers small combos over big bands and improvising over everything else. He has also said that he wants to go to a regular university, not a conservatory. I think he is wary because several students from our high school who went to conservatories have come home because they weren't happy. I like the idea of a regular university because it gives him more options if he decides to changes majors. You comments about the different schools were very helpful. Do you know anything about the program at Peabody? Or do you have any information about schools on the West coast? We live in CA. Thanks!

dudedad

West Coast Jazz

Great station KJAZZ at Cal State Long Beach

SJTH

Actually, one of the University of Oregon's jazz ensembles won a Downbeat award this year. Additionally, Portland State University has a very good jazz program, and Portland has a very vibrant jazz scene, with several busy jazz clubs, and a wonderful Winter jazz festival that attracts big name jazz talent (PDXJazz).

jazzzmomm

A smaller school that graduates many talented jazz musicians is Cornish College of the Arts. If we had not been so far away, it would have been on our list.

saxdad-IL

This is my first post here. I've read quite a bit and appreciate everyone's advices and posts. My son is in the application process - a HS senior sax player looking to go jazz studies in a college/university setting. Currently heading away from very large universities. For some reason has not looked @ east coast (not sure why) and west coast is not a preference for us.

I'd appreciate comments on the following list:

1. University of North Florida
(Bunky Green as sax prof. can't be beat)
2. University of Northern Colorado
(jazz studies & music in general seem to be a gem here)
3. Western Michigan University
(jazz studies & music in general seem to be a gem here.
seems to have "major party school" reputation though)
4. University of Denver - Lamont School of Music
(don't know much about it, but since UNCo is on the list, figured to check
this one out also)
5. University of Central Florida
(young program, enthusiastic director is a solid sax performer - Jeff Rupert)
6. University of Louisville - Jamie Aebersold School of Music
(does this school have substance or just the Aebersold name?)
7. Indiana University - Bloomington
(definitely a great music school. came across a bit "stuffy")

VicAria

You have to have University of North Texas in there.

While it is true that the "old guard" professors like Neil Slater and James Riggs have just retired, with others on their heels, this is making room for newer, younger guys to come in and energize the programs. And it is a juggernaut of a program, really teaching the kids the skills they need to give it a best shot for making a living as a musician, IMHO.

A few months back they hired a jazz sax professor out of a university in Lubbock, TX, and the jazz boards were quite excited about that. Sorry I can't offer more details, but we're looking for vocals, not sax.

While UNT's stats may make it look like a large school, it really doesn't come across that way on a visit. And the Music School is its own little community.

trombonemom

Saxdad-IL

Some Midwestern alternatives -

Depaul - S has a sax friend there who is very happy
Lawrence University - small but a great conservatory

If you want to look instate, NIU, UIUC, SIU-Edwardsville all have good jazz programs. They may not be as strong as some of the others you have mentioned, but you can't beat the in state tuition. Especially if you see grad school in the future.

-Allmusic-

We know a great trumpet player at UIUC, and I know there is a poster on this board (Spelmom, I believe) who has spoken highly of jazz at NIU.

Hartt Admissions

The Jazz Studies major at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford was founded by late jazz saxophone legend Jackie McLean. Under the tutelage of Hartt’s jazz faculty, who are working at the top of their field, students receive numerous performance opportunities, weekly private instruction, study in the history of African American music, techniques of improvisation, and jazz arranging, as well as Hartt’s challenging and stimulating core music curriculum. Students interact with internationally recognized jazz musicians through weekly lessons, in classes, performances, workshops, and master classes. Recent master class instructors include Christain McBride, Larry Willis, Wynton Marsalis, Dena DeRose, Harold Mabern, Tony Reedus, Don Sickler, Cedar Walton, Curtis Fuller, Eric Alexander, Jim Rotondi, David Hazeltine, Joe Farnsworth, Barry Harris, Dr. Yusef Lateef, Jimmy Heath, One For All, and Hartt Alumni Abraham Burton and Mike DiRubbo.

Jazz auditions will be heard on double bass, electric bass, flute, guitar, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and voice.

Hartt Jazz Private Studio Faculty:

Bass:
Nat Reeves

Flute:
René McLean

Guitar:
Richard Goldstein
Randy Johnston, master teacher

Piano:
Andy LaVerne
Pete Woodard, Chair of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz

Percussion:
Eric McPherson
Rogerio Boccato

Trombone:
Steve Davis

Trumpet:
Eddie Henderson, master teacher
Gabor Viragh

Saxophone:
Jimmy Greene
René McLean

Voice:
Shawnn Monteiro

The Hartt School

bkb1958

...don't forget that northwestern just completely overhauled its program after many years of turmoil. victor goines now holds the tenured program as director of jazz studies; he has assembled an amazing new faculty.

this is a program to watch grow to the very top.

shatteredd826

I spent a year & 1/2 @ UArts. if you're looking for a true jazz environment, CHECK IT OUT. everyone on the faculty keeps busy gigging in the area. an active faculty is REALLY important. the jazz scene may be somewhat fading away, but kids gig on a regular basis and people like chris potter, eric alexander, seamus blake, etc. all still visit the area, and usually stop by to give a master class and/or performance. the school itself focuses more on the small group, which is really where the action is nowadays anyway, but most schools don't focus on it enough. its small enough to get a lot of personal attention, and the environment is more friendly than most conservatories. feel free to contact me with any questions.

jazzzmomm

I agree--UArts sounded very good to us when our son was applying. He ended up not auditioning there, because of getting in to a dream school, but even dealing with the admissions office was a pleasure. It seems like a great environment of artists from all disciplines. We originally added it to the list because of the huge number of jazz ensembles they have, and their faculty.

luvjazz

saxdad-IL...my son (sax player) auditioned at both UNC and UNT and now attends UNT as a jazz studies major. If you would like more info. on either school-let me know.

guitardad

My son started last month at Webster University in St. Louis going for his BM in Jazz Performance and is absolutely thrilled. He could have gone pretty much anywhere. The music program is a hidden gem overshadowed by their famous Theater Conservatory. He is a guitarist.

Big Al

University of North Florida

University of North Florida | Department of Music

From Wikipedia:

The University of North Florida Jazz Studies program is widely known as one of the best jazz schools in America. It was founded by legendary jazz euphonium player Rich Matteson in 1983. The department boasts several award winning ensembles, including the world renowned Jazz Ensemble 1, which has performed at jazz festivals across the United States and internationally and has won several awards from Down Beat Magazine.