I’m a high school junior trying to compile a college list. I want to major in music education, and although I’ve been playing for awhile, my music skills and experience aren’t up there with the people getting into top schools. I have a 4.0, (probable 1400 SAT), and a fairly strong academic profile.
I am looking for schools that have great music programs, and a BM for music education, but are reasonable to look into as a mediocre music student. Specifically, I am interested in liberal arts colleges, because a huge college environment doesn’t appeal much to me, and I’d like to be at a place where lots of people do play music (I don’t want another four years of the high school vibe). I know this is hard to come by, but places I’ve been looking at are:
-Lawrence University
-St. Olaf College
-Ithaca College
-Gettysburg College
Does anyone have recommendations, or know about how hard these programs are to get into? I just have the worry I won’t get into any programs I like.
I am familiar with both Lawrence and St.Olaf. They are both great choices and I think you will get into both, and you not being a “tippy top” music talent will not stand in your way.
The Upper Midwest has a number of excellent LACs in general, and excellent LACs for Music and Music Education in particular. An added benefit is that COA is often significantly lower than for schools on the coasts.
Best Wishes!!
ETA: are you also open to BAs as long as the program is strong, or does it have to be a BM for some reason?
My daughter auditioned for vocal performance (not music education) at Ithaca and was very impressed with the faculty and the music facilities. Someone from her high school is currently there majoring in music education. They were competent but not an expert on their instrument while in high school. I have heard that they have improved significantly during their time at Ithaca. Have you looked at Bucknell?
Some other possibilities to consider (I’ve linked specifically to the BM programs below): College of Wooster (1900 undergrads) Trinity U (San Antonio) (2600 undergrads) Shenandoah U (2600 undergrads) U of Hartford (4200 undergrads overall, 400 in the conservatory) SUNY Potsdam (2000 undergrads) or SUNY Fredonia (2800 undergrads)
You could also consider some mid-sized universities that are definitely not LAC’s, but that also aren’t overwhelmingly huge. For example, DePaul, UMiami, Western Michigan - all have under 15K undergrads, and the conservatory programs offer close-knit sub-communities.
As you say, the audition element makes it hard to tell where you can expect to get in, so it’s probably good to cast a wide net and perhaps have some non-audition backup choices. Wooster is interesting in that the BM audition doesn’t happen until you’re already there - maybe not as appealing as direct-admit but it could be a good safety if there are fallback majors you could live with (for example, doing an elementary education and BA music double-major)
It sounds like you are academically talented. Just checking in on why you are focused so early on such a specific career path. College can be a time to explore and grow but perhaps you have a compelling reason to want music ed (which you can also do in grad school). Do you have a music teacher you admire? Have you worked with kids?
These questions may seem tangential to your post but your answers might expand possible schools. (I like the Colleges that Change Lives schools ctcl.org and some schools on that list have been mentioned…)
Thank you so much! I have a friend who got into Luther College around that area and was worried that the lack of a BM may negatively impact them in the future, so they chose a different school. That may not matter so much for me though, especially for becoming a music educator, so I might look more into those.
Thank you for your input, this was really helpful and nice to hear.
A big second here for SUNY Potsdam & Fredonia. You may also want to investigate Furman (SC) and Shenandoah (VA) to see if either of them are of interest. Also, tagging @MistySteel27 who may have additional insight to offer.
This may be more of a “reflect on this yourself,” but I know music is what I want to do with my life, because it’s everything to me right now. I am particularly inspired by my band director at the moment, he somehow inspires and supports everyone in such a way that has inspired me to want to do the same. I’ve had bad teachers too, and I want to be one of the good ones, and make every kid believe in themselves like my director does. (I also think learning new instruments is the most fun thing ever)
I appreciate your comment though, thank you for causing me to think more about this.
SUNY Potsdam has one of the best music education programs in the country. Potsdam is a small liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1800 students and small class size (11:1 student:faculty ratio). Cost of attendance for an out-of-state student is only $35,000 for tuition, fees, room & board. Your grades should qualify you for a scholarship of $7000, bringing your cost down to $28,000.
Since you mentioned Gettysburg and others mentioned Bucknell, I’ll add Susquehanna, which is located in between the two (but much closer to, 15 minutes from Bucknell) and has a large music program, performance and education. Same enrollment size as Gettysburg. All three are located at the edge of small towns. The two SUNYs, Potsdam and Fredonia, also have similar locations and small sizes.
Ditto the Shenandoah University recommendation. I know a student who just graduated from there in music education and was very happy with the program.
One thing to consider with an education major is where you think you ultimately want to live. A lot of education hiring is very regional and having student teaching placements in districts you might want to work in and alignment with the state’s licensing can be valuable.
I can recommend any of the schools on your list without hesitation, all are solid music schools and they all have different vibes so you should explore them for fit.
Others have mentioned SUNY Potsdam (Crane) and SUNY Fredonia. Both of these schools are excellent, among the best in the country for music education and very reasonably priced. Of the two Crane is more performance oriented and will likely have the strongest musicians. Fredonia is considered to be a bit (only a bit) stronger for Music education and is a bit larger as well. Both are among the top programs in the country. Based on your interests either could be an excellent choice. I know graduates of both who have had very successful careers.
There are other outstanding schools of music in upstate NY, the Eastman School at Rochester is among the top programs anywhere and Syracuse is very good. Based on your post Eastman is probably a bit too high and Syracuse might be as well but it is possibly reachable. Great schools but for music education you would get an equal or superior education at a much lower cost at either of the SUNY schools and both schools have national reputations in your field.
One thing you could look at to differentiate different colleges is whether they offer a music-related study abroad program.
Learning music is also about beauty and expanding perspectives, skills, worldviews – being able to study music in Vienna or Milan or Paris (for instance), attending concerts, playing in an orchestra there… , could be a great benefit to what you’d then be able to bring students.
In any case it’d be a worthwhile question to ask their music department, which in turn could figure into “interest” and “why us” questions.
I almost mentioned Belmont. A very close friends daughter went there and loved it. I do not know how it is for music education but it is strong for performance and the business side of music.