Hello friends! I'm a music-obsessed junior and I'm beginning to look at colleges, specifically ones with strong music departments. Does anyone have any tips or could suggest some colleges renowned for their music programs?
Sure, there are quite a number of colleges and universities that are renowned for their music programs, and many of these schools offer concentrations in various areas of music, from performance to music theory and history.
One of the most revered institutions for music in the United States is undoubtedly the Juilliard School in NYC. They are particularly known for their performance programs.
In the Midwest, Oberlin College’s Conservatory of Music in Ohio is also notable. They're one of the oldest music schools in the U.S. and have an inclusive curriculum spanning classical, jazz, electronic music, and more.
Another great choice on the West Coast is the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. Thornton provides students with a comprehensive set of opportunities in performance, composition and scholarly research.
Berklee College of Music in Boston is known for contemporary music and is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world.
If you're interested in a more traditional liberal arts education combined with a solid music program, consider schools like University of Rochester, which houses the Eastman School of Music or the Yale School of Music part of Yale University.
Remember that when choosing a music school, it's important to consider what specialized path you want to pursue in music, the faculty, internship and performance opportunities, and how the curriculum aligns with your long-term music career goals.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.