Best Music Universities in California?

I'm curious to know about the top music universities in California as I'm considering moving there for college. California has such a diverse music scene and I feel like it's a great place to study music. Can anyone share what schools are considered the best for music in California? I'm particularly interested in schools with strong faculty and opportunities for collaboration.

Absolutely, music is definitely one of the strengths of several universities in California, with many of them having excellent faculty and diverse collaboration opportunities.

To start with, the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music is considered to be one of the top music schools in the nation. Its faculty consists of renowned musicians and scholars, and it also offers various performance groups, workshops, and masterclasses. The programs range from classical music to jazz studies, music industry, and popular music.

Next, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)'s Herb Alpert School of Music is another widely recognized music school. They offer a variety of music programs and areas of study, such as Ethnomusicology, Musicology, and Music Education. They are also one of the few schools to offer a major in Music Industry.

The University of California, Berkeley also offers highly respected music programs. It's known for its focus on music research and composition, with strong programs in multiple music related disciplines, like Music History and Ethnomusicology.

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music is another revered institution. It is particularly known for its high level of faculty expertise and intimate class settings. Several of their programs, including chamber music and orchestral studies, encourage and facilitate collaboration among students.

Finally, CalArts (California Institute of the Arts) is another great choice for music students. Known for its innovative and experimental approach, CalArts offers programs in World Music, Jazz, Experimental Sound Practices, and more. They emphasize interdisciplinary collaborations across their different schools, thus providing a unique educational experience.

Do keep in mind that to decide which college is the best for you, you should also consider factors such as the specific specialty within Music that you're interested in, college culture, location, and financial aspects.