Opinions on top music programs in the US?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior who is looking to major in music when I go to college. What are some schools with the top music programs in the US that I should be researching and considering? Thanks in advance!

Hi! It's great that you're passionate about pursuing music in college. When researching top music programs in the U.S., here are some schools you should definitely consider:

1. Juilliard School: Located in New York City, Juilliard is world-renowned for its prestigious music program. It offers a variety of degrees, including Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts.

2. Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester): Eastman, in Rochester, New York, is another elite music school known for its rigorous curriculum, strong faculty, and excellent performance opportunities.

3. New England Conservatory: Based in Boston, the New England Conservatory (NEC) is one of the nation's oldest and most respected music schools. It offers a wide array of programs in music performance, composition, and music education.

4. Curtis Institute of Music: Located in Philadelphia, Curtis is a highly-selective music school that provides full-tuition scholarships to all of its students, thus offering an incredible opportunity to receive world-class training for free.

5. Indiana University Jacobs School of Music: The Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, is known for its comprehensive programs, extensive resources, and diverse performance opportunities in both classical and contemporary music.

6. Oberlin Conservatory of Music: Oberlin, located in Ohio, is a prestigious liberal arts college with a top-tier conservatory. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences also have a unique opportunity to take an interdisciplinary approach to music, where they'll major in an area of their choosing and also take courses at the Conservatory, to ultimately earn a BA with a focus on music.

7. University of Southern California Thornton School of Music: USC Thornton, based in Los Angeles, provides a variety of programs and emphasizes collaboration with other prestigious arts schools within the university.

8. University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance: This school offers a diverse range of programs in disciplines including music, including performance, composition, musicology, and music education.

9. Berklee College of Music: Located in Boston, Berklee is best known for its contemporary music programs, such as jazz, popular music, and music production.

10. Northwestern University Bienen School of Music: Bienen, in Evanston, Illinois, emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach while offering a wide range of performance, composition, and music education programs.

Each school has its own strengths and unique qualities, so I'd encourage you to research each one individually to find the best fit for your musical interests and goals. And don't forget to consider other factors like location, size, and overall campus vibe to ensure you end up at a school where you'll thrive personally as well as musically.

Finally, if you're looking for ways to pursue your passion for music while still in high school, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which lists a range of music-related summer programs for high schoolers: https://blog.collegevine.com/high-school-summer-music-programs/

Many of these programs will allow you to network with current music educators and professionals who can give you personalized advice on which college is right for you, and participating in one could even give you a boost during the admissions process, as admissions officers love to see that you're taking initiative and exploring your interests outside of school!

Good luck!