When people talk about great music schools in the US, we often hear the same names come up time & time again – Indiana, Juilliard, Michigan, Cleveland, Curtis, Berklee, Mannes, etc.
All of these are great schools that produce many successful musicians, no question, but did you know there are actually hundreds of music schools and university music departments in the US?
In fact, there are 625 music schools and departments accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, the principal higher music education accreditor.
Many of these schools have excellent faculty and have produced outstanding alumni, but are not nearly as well-known as their famous competitors, for one reason or another.
I’ve been looking into music schools lately that could be seen as “hidden gem” alternatives for students wishing to expand their palette of options, schools that may not be as talked about as the Juilliards and Berklees of the world, but still elite, excellent, and comparable to any other top school in the entire country.
My research has turned out quite an exhaustive list of truly excellent music schools.
So let’s talk about 10 that seem to be truly outstanding that more musicians should know about and consider as a solid option for application.
10. Catholic University of America’s Benjamin T. Rome School of Music (Washington, D.C.)
Photo by NCinDC via Flickr Creative Commons
The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, situated in the Catholic University of America, is widely considered to be the most prominent Catholic-faithed center for the study of music in the US. The institution, named after ones its most prominent benefactors and alumni in 1984, offers Bachelor’s degrees in all of the standard music college majors, including performance, composition, musical theatre, music education, and more.
One of the notable components of this school that distinguishes it from other music schools is its Latin American Music Center. Founded by the music school in cooperation with the Inter-American Music Council in 1984, this graduate musicological institution is dedicated to the study of Ibero-American music, which is music created in Latin American countries such as Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Honduras, Mexico, etc.
Other notable aspects of the school include it’s Centre for Ward Method studies, an institution dedicated to teaching future elementary school music pedagogues a teaching method based in religious chant music, as well as the school’s Single Reed Symposium, a day-long gathering of workshops and classes devoted to clarinet and saxophone education.
Intriguingly, the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music is the only school of music located in Washington D.C., one of the nation’s premiere cultural epicenters.
9. Gettysburg College Sunderman Conservatory of Music (Gettysburg, PA)
Frequently, I get many students and their families inquiring into what liberal arts colleges have good music programs.
The selection for these kinds of schools is seemingly limited – the most spoken about ones are Oberlin’s Conservatory of Music, the Bard College Conservatory of Music, and the Ithaca School of Music, all top-notch excellent schools.
However, another very good one has come to my attention recently, which is Gettysburg College’s Sunderman School of Music.
The school is pretty young, as far as music schools go, established within the last decade or so.
The conservatory at Gettysburg is replete with a number of excellent student ensembles and opportunities, including an annual Opera Workshop, four choirs, marching band, string orchestra ensemble known as Sunderman Strings, and a Gamelan ensemble.
Five of the faculty members at the school have formed a woodwind quintet that is very popular within the Gettysburg community.
Perhaps a hidden gem due to its relatively new inception, this music school housed at Gettysburg College should be a top consideration for many music students, especially those looking to get a solid music education at a top liberal arts college.
8. University of Redlands School of Music (Redlands, CA)
photo by Don Graham via Flickr Creative Commons
The University of Redlands School of Music is a fine school located about 60 miles from Los Angeles. The faculty consist of many of the most excellent teaching musicians in the Southern California area.
The University of Redlands is a very competitive school from an academic standpoint – in 2012, U.S. News & World Report ranked it in the top 15 among regional universities on the West Coast. The school is an excellent option for those who wish to study music while receiving instruction and tutelage in a fostering, open-minded liberal arts environment.
The college itself is home to a number of excellent high-level student ensembles, including the University Opera, Studio Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Madrigals, among many other ensembles.
The faculty at the University of Redlands is, collectively, a true hidden gem. One of the most distinguished organists in the entire nation, Frederick Swann, past president of the American Guild of Organists (commonly referred to as the AGO), teaches the principles behind mastering the organ at this music school. Frederick Swann’s career is highly distinguished; he was the organist chosen to perform the first concert of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s 6,000+ pipe organ in 2004 at Walt Disney Hall.
The school of music at the University of Redlands, overall, is very strong, and is definitely a good consideration for anyone looking to pursue a Bachelor’s in performance or composition while attending a respected liberal arts university.
Queens College, part of the City University of New York, has a great music school!
Graduate only.
University of Central Oklahoma is an accomplished school of vocal, music, theatre bachelors and masters of music. As well a rare jem for jazz studies. Almost to the point of conservatory.
James Madison University, Western Michigan University and University of Denver are also “All-Steinway Schools”! http://www.steinway.com/institutions/all-steinway-schools/
Lawrence University Conservatory of Music! Perfect balance of Liberal Arts college plus excellent conservatory. Perfect for students who would like to graduate with a powerful double degree!
No offense at all to Gettysburg, but an even stronger music school within a liberal arts college can be found at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. I strongly considered both institutions, and now attend SU. I felt that course offerings were far more varied and numerous at SU, not to mention seemingly more professional opportunities. The music curricula are conservatory oriented, in that a hefty liberal arts core curriculum isn’t required; however, many conservatory students opt to have minors in other fields, or take extra non-music classes.
Brigham Young University also has a very competitive music school.
You should take a look at the School of Music at Texas Tech University (Susan Graham’s alma mater …)
University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music…
Pacific Lutheran University is one of the strongest, most excellent music departments at a small school I’ve ever seen.
I’m going to presume that the music program at St. Olaf College is not considered a “hidden gem” as it is well-known among people who are interested in, love, study, and major in music.
The Conservatory of Music at Purchase College, SUNY?? It’s a pretty good music conservatory.
Thanks for this! CUA School of Music Class of 2007 – Vocal Performance
DePaul University in Chicago is another hidden gem.
Aspiring music majors: what’s most important in your undergraduate years is finding an applied teacher who will build your technique and be your advocate. Find that professor of voice, piano, violin, flute, etc. with whom you have chemistry; who will instill confidence in you and nurture you. Guess what? All theory & music history classes are pretty much the same. Glenn Winters, B.M. M.M. (Indiana Univeristy Jacobs School of Music); D.M. (Northwestern University)
I agree with you in part, but history is still very subjective. The same music history course from the same textbook by two different teachers can be very different. My undergrad music history professor had a HUGE impact on me. The fact that I’m a composer today and not a horn player had much to do with him.
Dear operaglenn,
Thank you for posting this advice. I am the mother of a 14 year old who has taken up violin a year ago but who is progressing so quickly that he and his teacher have set their sight on his applying for music school when college comes. What advice could you offer on guiding him through high school? (GPA goals to look good in applying/ high school classes to take??) He will be a freshman in the fall of 2015. He is very good at science and math but is not particularly motivated when it comes to academics, despite being very intelligent. He recently attended a program at Ashokan Center (Jay Ungar & Molly Mason) that has been very motivating. Currently working in Suzuki Book 9 and on technique studies/ reading of his teacher’s choosing.
Take a look at Interlochen for highschool! If not highschool, at least look into the summer Institute! My daughter is a senior this year. You can put your trust in the staff and faculty at Interlochen Arts Academy!
Agreed. I work as a parent volunteer advisory for one of the top magnet performing arts high schools in the country, A.W. Dreyfoos, and for our kids that hit a certain level that fall on Interlochen’s radar, they have done EXCEPTIONALLY well in college/conservatory admits with some of the best mentoring faculty in the world. The regular year school is both difficult to get into and very expensive, like college, if you can’t get financial aid, although they do offer it. The summer camp is not inexpensive, but there is also financial aid for it and it is an AMAZING experience. My kids have done it for years, and my middle son got his free ride at college in large part on what he learned from his summers playing with some of the best students and faculty in the nation at a summer institute. Tanglewood, Brevard, and Interlochen for classical. Interlochen is the only place that really offers a stable world-class Jazz program.
I 100% agree with this! I tell my students this all the time. I told them their applied teacher in private lessons will make or break your experience. Thankfully, I have a great trumpet professor who I admire and respect!
Kent State University Hugh A. Glauser School of Music is on the rise. Our band directors are phenomenal not just because they studied at some of the best music programs there are, but because they relate to the students and work well with each other. The applied faculty is wonderful, especially for oboe and clarinet. Danna Sundet is the oboe professor and she studied with John Mack and now is the director of the John Mack Oboe Camp. The oboe studio is made up of some of the best performers and best people I have ever met. Seriously, if you play oboe, come to Kent State, she is amazing. Amitai Vardi is the clarinet professor and he is the definition of “hidden gem”. He comes from a family of musicians, his father being the cello professor at UW-Madison. Mr. Vardi studied with Frank Cohen (CIM), Eli Eban (Indiana U-Jacobs school of music), and Yehuda Gilad (USC-Colburn school of music). He also performs with The Cleveland Orchestra and teaches clarinet at CIM. He has also studied chamber music and performs chamber music around the world, teaches master classes all over the country, and all while being a really cool person. We have a faculty wind quintet called Black Squirrel Winds. Our faculty is really top notch. We also host the Kent/Blossom Music Festival, among the most respected summer professional training festivals in the country. We are also an All-Steinway School. Not to mention, the university president, Beverly Warren, absolutely loves the school of music and has spoken publicly about her admiration for our marching band. She has said many times that the marching band is her favorite organization on campus. I think that what makes our school most unique is the family-like atmosphere. I never want to leave school. I could go on forever about why Kent is a hidden gem, but I don’t want to ruin the magic for you, come join our music family. http://www.kent.edu/music
DePauw University is also one that belongs in the category of liberal arts schools with a strong school of music. With only 2300 students on campus, and spectacular facilities, it should not be overlooked.
Actually, All-Steinway schools are kind of a racket for Steinway. First of all, you can have a few nice Steinway Grands and 100 Boston uprights and still be considered an All-Steinway School. Really it’s a prestigious way of guaranteeing that you have to only buy from one company AND have all your instruments maintained by Steinway people. It’s a nice little moneymaker for Steinway, but there’s a reason that a lot of top-flight music schools aren’t on their list! And I say that as a proud graduate of an All-Steinway School 🙂
University of Southern Mississippi is an unbelievable music school.
I met a horn player from there once. He was baller!
OCU is where it’s at.
West Texas A and M in Canyon, Texas has an excellent music education program! They turn out really fine and well prepared music teachers!
Where would you point a student looking for a music school for orchestra but also teaching degree in Maryland or mid-atlantic area?
Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA.
James Madison is an excellent choice.
It all depends on what you want in the long run. I went to DePaul, which puts heavy emphasis on orchestral playing and artistic integrity. Some graduates go on to get orchestral jobs, some don’t. I find the ones that don’t often end up struggling on the freelance scene because all they ever prepared for was winning a symphony job. They struggle with marketing themselves and branching out to other areas which might get them more gigs. This is in contrast to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Moody doesn’t really produce deadly players in the orchestral sense, but Moody graduates are EVERYWHERE on the freelance scene in Chicago. And they’re all so diverse and flexible – you’ll find them playing just about everything.
Voice and Opera: which is better NEC, University of Denver, Oklahoma City University, Baldwin Wallace or Depauw does anyone have input here?
I would have to say OCU (Oklahoma City University) I suppose I’m partial for having gone there as a grad student focusing on instrumental music, but their voice teachers are amazing! I’ve been blown away by the talent that comes from both the undergraduate vocalists and the graduate student vocalists. They put on both operas and musicals during the course of the year, with plenty of experience in auditioning. From what I’ve heard from former room mates and friends who were in the musical theater, vocal, and opera program it’s the best! You’re going to get the experiences you would by going to NYC or any other city to audition, but right on campus for the shows. There’s also opportunities to perform outside of school and in student run productions as well. It’s definitely somewhere to go if you’re looking at going somewhere in music!
DePauw is especially well known for the training of young voices, which is critical in the early developmental stages of young singers’ careers. DPU School of Music also has a very good placement rate with Indiana University Jacobs School of Music for graduate school as the school shares faculty and/or regularly employs its graduates.
What is better for voice/opera
Hartt School
Longy School
Azusa Pacific
CUNY Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music has a fantastic program (performance/ed/academic degrees) also hard to beat the price!
I just graduated from JMU. I wasn’t even considering applying there at first but when I visited the campus and met with professors, everything just clicked. I am so glad I came here. It truly is a hidden gem. The faculty is amazing.
I hate to be so late on this, but our guitar professor at Oklahoma City university (OCU) is Matt Denman, president of the International Guitar association… Or something of that magnitude. He is absolutely spectacular, and I DEFINITELY recommend going there! Feel free to message me 🙂
I hope there are still some folks following this thread, because I have three pressing questions. First, what are some of the best hidden gems among classical guitar programs? I’m in agreement with a previous commenter who advised all aspiring music students to focus on finding the right APPLIED professor.
The second question is more general: any advice for someone considering a BM in guitar performance at the over ripe age of 30? I say “over ripe” because I only picked up classical guitar 4 years ago (my first experience with any instrument), with serious study having commenced 6 months ago, so I’m still very much a beginner. I already have a Bachelor degree from 8 years ago (Political Science, Minor in French) and have led a mildly successful and rewarding career in political/social issue based nonprofits, but shortly after I turned 30 last December, I couldn’t shake the feeling that what I really wanted to do with my life was music.
Last question: since I’m not financially secure, money issues will determine my educational path in guitar. With that said, Germany offers FREE education, even to foreign students. Does anyone know a thing or two about German music schools, specifically their guitar departments?
The University of Texas at Austin, Butler School of Music, where guitarist and recording artist Adam Holzman teaches, has a thriving studio of award-winning classical guitarists. As UT-Austin is a state school, tuition is less than at private schools, and they are known to provide good merit and need-based financial aid.
I wanted to know if there is any music colleges that don’t do opera
Florida State University. Some excellent faculty, good facilities, and a long history of fine music-making.
Really interesting article. One on the list you should reconsider: Boston University. Yes, indeed, the program is great but:
A) BU is one of the most expensive schools in the country. Dorms/board can run $18-$24K a year and outside housing runs about $12-18K;
B) BU does not “lock” assistance. We had a student who qualified for scholarship money when graduating from high school. She got into her sophomore year, and her parents FAFSA blipped up by literally less than $200 over a qualifying financial aid line, and they adjusted her scholarship money down so far that she couldn’t afford to attend. She had to change schools, and lost a semester in the process. Have to say that was not a “stand up” kind of move by the U.
And, despite some rumors last year, they’re not absorbing Boston Conservatory. Berklee gets that privilege, probably this spring.
Any reco’s for best contemporary guitar, piano, jazz schools…recording and singing would be a plus as well. Prefer to stay in-state (PA) based on options.
The Music Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts is definitely a hidden gem!
I think the Fred Fox School of Music at the University of Arizona should be on here. It has one of the top 10 athletic bands and wind ensembles in the nation. They have some of the best music instructors in the country and the studios across the campus, especially the percussion studio is top notch
My nephew is considering Emerson College in Boston for sound design. None of you have listed this college. What is your opinion of this school?
Central Washington University, fabulous faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. An absolute hidden gem for undergraduate and MM programs…
Hi.my son is completing his second year at the Jerusalem academy of music.where would you recommend him to continue if his passion is jazz piano?
Peabody Conservatory should be on every list, every instrument.
Any recommendations for cello?
OCU has a great cello teacher. My son will be attending in the fall for cello and voice.
McGill University in Montreal … McGill has never ranked below Duke, Dartmouth or Brown…Total cost for the Faculty of Music is affordable, while Montreal was ranked last week as the world’s #1 city for college students !!
Stephen F. Austin State university in Nachodoches tx. Is seriously underrated. It is a Great place to grow with staff and students that make you feel like family. It is also not competitive everyone wants each other to succeed.
Hey guys
I’m preparing to apply music school in America
,which i’m from south korea.
I don’t know anything about schools like class and faculty,etc
But i’m considering depaul university, texas university at austin and texas state and unt.
Any recommendations for me?
I’m only considering two states Chicago and Texas.
Oh btw i’m looking for jazz studies major.
Any thoughts on the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Georgia? The university itself is not prestigious, but the music school definitely seems like a hidden gem!
Any recommendations for composers? My daughter plays piano but her real love is composing. She wants as many opportunities for her works to get playing time and for great mentoring and support while at school and moving into the industry. Thanks!!