<p>Does anyone have any experience or information on Portland State University and how the music program is there. Specifically jazz and composition. (I play drumset and would like to be able to write music) I know Esperanza Spalding started there and then transfered to Berklee. I am 22 and have been playing drums for about 5 years and seriously for about 1. I was in marching percussion in h.s. and played snare, tenors, and bass drum. In Skyview h.s. I was 2nd captian of the drumline and we were consistanly placed top 3 tri-state competitions. I also almost made Vanguard tenor line and was offered a spot as a cymbal player in '08. I mainly play drumset now and that has been my strongest point. I have been working on reading music and ear training (just started) and that is my weakest link. I am also taking bass lessons from a notable bass player (damian erksine) to work on my theory. and drumset lessons from reinhardt melz when I have the money. I know I’m pretty decent for being local when it comes to the rock scene but I’d like to be a musicians musician. AKA truly extremely talented and paid for my craft and hardwork (jazz, latin, funk, rnb, etc.). Again I’m nothing amazing but I feel like this is the next step in becoming just that. I dedicate every free second to music and it’s all I want.</p>
<p>Some aspects that may make me stand out could possibly be
-i’m poor as in a federal financial EFC rating of 0
-my ethnicity- english, irish, scottish, hawaiian, portuguese, chinese
my dad is a 100% disabled veteran</p>
<p>I can post links to videos of my playing later if that helps</p>
<p>I cannot help you with your question because I know nothing at all about Portland State. However, I can advise you not to post links to videos of yourself. First off, it is against the terms of service here on CC. See</p>
<p>about a third of the way down. A workaround that is generally accepted is to tell people how they might find a video using a search engine without actually posting a link or a URL. I would suggest that before doing even that much that you consider the privacy issues and possible consequences of sharing a video that could let anyone who reads College Confidential identify you personally.</p>
<p>I’ve lived in Portland all of my life and PSU has a very good music program especially with jazz. it’s kind of a hidden gem i’d say, if i didn’t want to get far away from Portland I would consider going there. My long time guitar teacher/bandmate/mentor went there for jazz and liked it a lot. I don’t really know a lot about the actual program but they have good stuff going on. and personally I don’t see how those things make you stand out, most colleges won’t know anything about those things until after you’ve auditioned and have been accepted. Vancouver isn’t far away at all and you could easily come out and take a tour, good luck! also look at Cornish College of the Arts in seattle, I’ve been accepted there for jazz guitar and i’d recommend it</p>
<p>@ bassdad thanks for the tip at the least it’ll keep me out of trouble on the forums. @18karat thanks I’ll look into Cornish. I just don’t see many options in the nw. Have you heard anything about university of washingtons program?</p>
<p>Playadrumaplay, Portland State has a good and growing jazz program. I would definitely check it out. The teachers I know there are VERY good, and my son (also a drummer from Portland) knows a number of great jazz musicians from there. As you probably also know, there is a great jazz scene in Portland, and some good opportunities for students to both perform and jam.</p>
<p>playadrumaplay,
Are you only interested in urban schools in the Northwest? If a smaller city would be OK, check out Central Washington University. Tuition and cost of living would be much less than at the UW. We know some very talented jazz vocalists who are current students or grads.</p>