Best university jazz programs

College Majors Music Majors
81

<p>You have to have University of North Texas in there.</p>

<p>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. </p>

<p>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. </p>

<p>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.</p>

82

<p>Saxdad-IL</p>

<p>Some Midwestern alternatives -</p>

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

<p>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.</p>

83

<p>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.</p>

84

<p>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.</p>

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

<p>Hartt Jazz Private Studio Faculty:</p>

<p>Bass:
Nat Reeves</p>

<p>Flute:
René McLean </p>

<p>Guitar:
Richard Goldstein
Randy Johnston, master teacher</p>

<p>Piano:
Andy LaVerne
Pete Woodard, Chair of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz</p>

<p>Percussion:
Eric McPherson
Rogerio Boccato </p>

<p>Trombone:
Steve Davis </p>

<p>Trumpet:
Eddie Henderson, master teacher
Gabor Viragh</p>

<p>Saxophone:
Jimmy Greene
René McLean </p>

<p>Voice:
Shawnn Monteiro</p>

<p>[The</a> Hartt School](<a href=“http://www.hartford.edu/hartt]The”>The Hartt School - University of Hartford)</p>

85

<p>…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.</p>

<p>this is a program to watch grow to the very top.</p>

86

<p>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.</p>

87

<p>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.</p>

88

<p>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.</p>

89

<p>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.</p>

90

<p>University of North Florida</p>

<p>[University</a> of North Florida | Department of Music](<a href=“http://www.unf.edu/coas/music/index.html]University”>UNF: Welcome to the UNF School of Music)</p>

<p>From Wikipedia:</p>

<p>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.</p>

91

<p>So glad you mentioned UNF. S is a jazz guitarist and we’re from Boston. We made a quick unannounced trip to UNF in Jacksonville one day last spring as we were driving by on our way south. I cant emphasize enough how enthusiastic, accommodating and positive the experience was. It was a Friday morning- lots of activity going on- mid April which is about 2 weeks from finals.
We found the Jazz Dept- nice offices, very pleasant admins. No appointment, we just wanted to walk around and see the place. One of the Doctoral students who happened to be in the office at the time called Bunky Greene who is the Director of the program and of course a legend in the Jazz world. He dropped everything, brought us into his office, spent an hour with us. He told my S stories of playing with Mingus, Miles, etc. S was absolutely enthralled. Gave him all kinds of advice on what to play for auditions etc.
They brought in some other Jazz faculty, gave S some copies of their latest CD’s, arranged for us to sit in on a few rehearsals. Check out their faculty websites- Eastman, UNT, - faculty from most of the major jazz schools. These guys were fabulous and the place has a terrific vibe to it. Happy looking students, bustling place.</p>

<p>Same trip we went to UMiami-with appointments all booked- not the same experience at all.</p>

92

<p>Do you think that with an experience of 5 years worth of practice in the drums, id be up to the required level to major in music? I am currently in the highschool band, i have my own rock, jazz influenced band, and we have our own record. What do you think are My chances?</p>

93

<p>Fergus,</p>

<p>There is no way anyone who has not heard you play can say. What some people take ten years to accomplish, others can do in two. What some people do in five is more than others can accomplish in a lifetime. There are lots of people in bands that have records. Some of them are pretty good and some of them are a total waste of time and money.</p>

<p>That said, I know of several students who got into excellent music performance programs with less than five years on their instrument. Another thing you should know is that there are a wide range of programs. You will almost assuredly be able to be accepted somewhere, but the question is whether it would be worth attending a school that will have you. Hopefully, the answer is yes. Good Luck.</p>

94

<p>Fergus, I am sure there would be a school that could fit with whatever level you have reached. Folks tend to get all worked up over this hoidy toidy school or that one. At the end of the day, if you are a good musician, where you go to school is practically irrelevant. Every single professional musician I have ever talked to has told me that noone has ever asked them where they went to school. Good luck.</p>

95

<p>Big Al, you are half right. Indeed, in the professional world, people (usually) don’t ask where you studied, because the only thing that matters is how the musician is playing presently. However, you implied that it doesn’t matter what school you go to which is wrong. Obviously, studying with a well-known jazz drummer at a school for example would be infinite times more beneficial than going to a school with a weak jazz program.</p>

96

<p>And jazz is too collaborative a medium for the school not to matter. There are wide ranges in jazz schools, with equally wide range of talent. Many kids would be miserable in a school where there aren’t enough kids to play with who are of similar or higher caliber in ability and musicality.</p>

97

<p>the University of Illinois at Chicago has a great program, but its in the heart of the city</p>

98

<p>I’m wondering about the U of Tennessee. Does anyone know anything about their jazz program?</p>

99

<p>Love UM and Berklee. How does Peabody compare for voice?</p>

100

<p>Thanks for the post, UNF is one school we have already heard from though never visited, so my daughter will be happy with your input. How is it as far as being IN the city or outside, like UM?</p>