College with the best band program?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>This is my list so far (I want to get it down to 10):</p>

<p>1.UNC-Chapel Hill
2.UGA
3.UPenn
4.UVA
5.UMCP
6.Howard
7.Rutgers-NB/Piscataway
8.Cornell
9.Boston College
10.UMASS-Amherst
11.University of Delaware
12.Penn State University Park</p>

<p>Which one or “ones” have the best Band program (Marching Band, Symphonic, Jazz, etc.)? I have a crappy Band program at my high school, so in college, I want to be a part of a great band program.</p>

2

<p>I’m sorry, but THE Ohio State University Band can easily crush any of those bands anytime (yes, this is coming from a Michigan fan, and yes, we still kick their butt where it counts, academics).</p>

3

<p>Howard University’s Marching Band and their Jazz programs are extraordinary. You may hear of them less because their football team doesn’t play on tv, etc. But the Marching Band often plays at NFL games. I seriously doubt the OSU band could “crush” them. As for the jazz ensemble, well, Fred Irby’s program is internationally famous - and get a load of this:</p>

<p>[Howard</a> University Jazz Ensemble - Jazz Greats in Concert with HUJE](<a href=“http://www.coas.howard.edu/music/HUJE/jazzgreats.htm]Howard”>http://www.coas.howard.edu/music/HUJE/jazzgreats.htm)</p>

4

<p>Define “best”. And which aspect of the band program? The best jazz band may be at one school, the best symphony orchestra at another, the best wind ensemble at yet another, the best marching band at another, etc.</p>

<p>Anyways, I will say that USC has the best marching band. Lots of visibility, fame, cool songs and sweet gigs (Playing with Radiohead at the Grammys, for instance) and it’s basically as close to being a rock star as most of us are going to get. The only part that sucks is the 6-mile long Rose Parade…</p>

5

<p>well, I guess in this case the Marching Band to be specific, but I want to know if the overall Band program is very good, not best I should say.</p>

6

<p>UGA has an amazing marching band.</p>

7

<p>Wisconsin has a pretty awesome MB too. They do tend to party a little too much when they shouldn’t.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.badgerband.com/[/url]”>http://www.badgerband.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

8

<p>USC’s band plays multiple songs? This is news. ;)</p>

<p>Frankly there’s no such thing as the best band program. Either you’re a music major and you’re learning from accomplished musicians, or you’re going to be in general ensembles that are open to all students and tend to be the same from school to school. Marching bands are generally just for fun and not any type of professional preparation.</p>

9

<p>maybe LSJUMB</p>

10

<p>LSU has the best marching band ever.</p>

11

<p>Bands that I’ve heard get recognition lately are:
University of Wisconsin- Madison ( did hear a few stories of majorly hazing, in case that might be a concern of yours)
Michigan State University ( especially the Jazz ban)
Ohio State University- Columbus</p>

12

<p>It depends what you are looking to do with music. I know it isn’t on your list, but you might be interested in the University of Miami. The Frost School of music is consistently ranked in the top 5 in the nation. The jazz band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, and orchestra are all amazing. In addition, the marching band is growing. They perform 3 shows a year, have respect among the school, and will even pay for your books (both fall and spring semester, mine ended up being approx $1500 worth). You don’t have to be in the school of music to be in the marching band. Most of the other ensembles require auditioning, though you dont have to be in the school of music (but it helps). </p>

<p>In addition, the school is similar to the ones on your list academically and financially. Let me know if you have any questions about the school or the band.</p>

13

<p>Old thread…but U Penn? Their band sucks!</p>

<p>The ONLY one on that list with a good band is U Mass Amherst.</p>

14

<p>No the USC band knows more than one song. I believe this is why USC fans do the thing with the two fingers – 2 is the number of songs the band knows. (apologies to USC fans – JK – couldn’t resist!)</p>

<p>On a more serious note, UIUC also has a great band tradition, as does Michigan.</p>