I live very close to West Chester University. I have been impressed with the music program there at that school. My son took private violin there with Domenic Salerni some years ago (now a Grammy winner with Attacca Quartet). The facilities are amazing (the building is actually shaped like a grand piano) and they are putting more and money resources into the music program every year. The marching band is amazing!! My kids went through a local public school district and most of their music educators have come from WCU (they student teach there too). The small city of West Chester (a pleasant walk from the university) is really adorable - great restaurants and big into the arts. Lmk if you have any questions!
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Thank you so much! Most of my family is in the Philly area, and my cousin went to West Chester. She was briefly a music major and was in the marching band. She is actually visiting me tomorrow, so we will pump her for info. 
I’m glad to hear so much good word of mouth on West Chester. They also have a studio composition major/coursework that I think would also be of interest to my son, and I don’t see a lot of colleges that have something like it.
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WVU is also not too far from MD, strong music ed and marching band (fun rivalry with Pitt), and affordable for OOS students. Although of course Philly and Newark, DE are closer… but Morgantown is closer than Blacksburg.
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Thank you! We are in western Maryland, so WVU is as close as Philly. I visited there with my daughter last year (theatre department) and really liked it. A little concerned about all of their recent academic cuts, but it is definitely worth a look. We have lots of WVU alums in our area, and they all seem to be big fans.
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Yes, the recent cuts have been concerning, and I’ve become more cautious about recommending it… but I can’t believe music ed and marching band are going anywhere. I attended summer music programs there, in high school, and had quite a few friends who ended up going there and having great music careers afterward, as well as many fond memories. But of course I’m from the dark ages so more current impressions would be needed (Although I also have a MD friend whose son is in a music grad program there and has been very happy with it, despite all of the upheaval about cuts.)
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My D graduated many moons ago. She did decide on VP…and she now works professionally as a teacher/performer (both classical MT and regional opera).
I just remember my D being “interesting” during the college search. It took me some time to realize her approach was a bit more pensive, thorough, quiet…while I tend to throw everything at the wall to see what sticks and talk about it a lot. FYI…her approach won as she could wait me out…
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That’s wonderful for your D.
I don’t know how you nailed it based on what little I said about my son, but I think he is very similar – doing lots of internal processing that he’s reluctant to share until he feels he’s sorted it out. It’s SO hard to get answers out of him, and it’s driving me crazy. As you say, it’s his process… but not his timeline, so I hope he figures it out!