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Even for someone who is "sure" they are going to have a career in music, I think it's best to go to a well-rounded university and meet people other than musicians. I have three degrees in music and I don't use any of them now. Playing positions only require that you can play well and they could care less if you didn't graduate from high school!

I would like to teach and perform some.

Ever look into Vandercook http://www.vandercook.edu/ ? Granted, not a performance powerhouse, they specialize in music education. They are located on the IIT campus and share courses with IIT.

Bob,

I would second the recommendation for Vandercook. This little known school has been turning out fine teachers for almost (or maybe more than) 100 years and might be very sensitive to your situation. Check them out. As Brian mentioned, they have an arrangement with IIT giving Vandercook students access to IIT general ed classes.

I would also suggest Northeastern Illinois State University, located on Chicago's north side. It has a good music ed program and, as a state school, is rather cheap (you might have some residency issues to work out there).

The Universit of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) has a music program although, IMHO, not all that well developed. Nonetheless, they have a CSO trombonist as an adjunct professor there. They admit to having given me a degree there once (not music). Again, you'll have to establish residency or pay higher tuition.

Contact Mike Hogg. He's a super player and super guy. He teaches at both Northeastern and UIC which are both located in Chicago proper.

If you're willing to do suburbs, Northern Illinois University in DeKalb is a great deal if your already an illinois resident. Charlie Schuchat teaches there and that's the same guy that teaches at Roosevelt in downtown Chicago.

When I was at Northern the entire tuba/euph studio was on tuition wavers. (whether they deserved it or not)

Good luck
Jim Langenberg