percussionny

Are there any college/university music programs with an option to study contemporary or popular music as the concentration? My son does classical also, but as a percussionist would like to play music more than counting rests until his next note as he does with most orchestral pieces. He also is not in love with jazz, but I think that's because he hasn't had any performing experience with it. (anyone know of any jazz ensembles for kids in the NY/Long Island area?)

I have already seen Berklee in Boston and Belmont in Nashville discussed. Belmont is a new discovery today, and Berklee seems to have quite a few cons. Any others anywhere on the east coast or the midwest?

Thank you all for all of your wisdom in other threads. Looking forward to your responses.
:-)

violadad

The New School's Jazz & Contemporary Music The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music,
U Denver (Lamont) Jazz & Commercial Music http://www.du.edu/ahss/schools/lamon...rams/index.htm, USC (Thorton) USC Thornton School of Music : Academic Programs: Popular Music

For additional Belmont info, look for past posts by henrob.

I'm not aware of anything in the midwest.

Linde

Re "anyone know of any jazz ensembles for kids in the NY/Long Island area?"

Take a look at the New York Youth Symphony's jazz program, New York Youth Symphony , and Nassau-Suffolk Peforming Arts jazz band, Nassau-Suffolk Performing Arts

binx

University of North Texas doesn't have a "contemporary music" major - just classical and jazz, but they do have contemporary/pop ensembles for percussionists, along with almost anything else you could think of - African, Cuban, jazz, classical, drumline, steel band, etc.

UNT Percussion Ensembles

sagiter

On LI there is Nassau Suffolk (they are pretty amazing). Gemini Youth Orchestras has also started a Jazz program this year (* Gemini Youth Orchestras).

jazz/shreddermom

What about University of Colorado - Denver (as opposed to University of Denver)? Anybody know how those two compare w/regard to jazz (for guitar) and contemporary music? Thanks in advance.

sopranomom92

Cal Arts is known for its contemporary work. They just got 15 million dollars from Herb Alpert. The son of a friend just graduated from there in percussion. He loved it.