Affordable Music Education Program

[Josh deVries]

Hi all-

I am currently in the application process for college and will be entering college in Fall 2009. I am a Tuba player and am currently applying to Boston University, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, Ithaca College, Peabody, and University of Maryland all for music education.

However, I am looking for a program that is affordable with a great tuba teacher and a music education program. I am already aware of SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Fredonia. If anyone out there could fill me in on some other schools that might fit this description that would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Josh deVries

[Bill Troiano]

CALL ME !!!!!!!!!

[djwesp]

Josh deVries

Josh,

Education expenses are very high in your area of the country. This is because, as a generality, music education in colleges is funded quite differently there.

In the Big 10, Big 12, SEC parts of the country (or i guess you could say college football rich areas), it usually much cheaper to pursue an education degree in music. These schools generally recieve large amounts of funding from OUTSIDE of the music department (primarily from boosters and athletic departments). These areas, specifically the south, use marching band as an extension of their athletic department's image. Many of these schools offer large amounts of scholarship money, which is derived from other sources within the university.

May I suggest Miss State as an alternative? I am in no way affiliated with them, however, I have noticed that they are trying to do some great things down there. As a whole, the university is growing by leaps and bounds. The music department has shown a recent determination at expansion and excellence. Because of the cost of living in the state, education is much less expensive (even if you were somehow forced to pay out of state tuition). The University has also shown a recent devotion to overall funding of the music department in scholarship money and staffing. We also know that the new teacher there is a down to earth guy, with plenty of knowledge.

Wes "from the south, but has lived in the north, and seen the differences as a whole" pendergrass


p.s.- The University of Central Arkansas, Florida State University, Troy University, Arkansas State University, Northwestern (LA), Arkansas Tech University (190 Matched Full tuition band scholarships!), and Memphis all come to mind as schools with Good/Great music education programs that put a lot of money into scholarships.

[Matt G]

As others have hinted: Leave the Northeast.

I'd probably take Bloke's advice, as you'd end up saving a lot of cash and getting good instruction.

Also, in regards to "out-of-state" fees. Almost anyone can tell you how to work around these problems at the school of your choice. Usually it involves you renting a place off campus, changing a driver's license, etc. but you can save some money after the first year. Figuring that UGA has someone who was in serious contention for a serious "chair" not that long ago adds to the pot.

I will say to be careful about attaching too much commitment to a "marching" scholarship. I had one, and utilized it for 3 years. However, using it kept me in college for a total of 5 years. Many bands have about a 20-hour a week commitment that pays okay, but if you do the math, a part time job that would take only one night a week and both days on the weekend might actually be financially better.

Also look for schools that have a decent bit of "street cred". It's better to have a degree in basketweaving from Harvard than a degree in physics from the University of Phoenix, if you can understand, if outside of the music world. A school that also has other programs of interest outside of music (business, math, physics, asshattery, etc.) of strength is a good choice in case if interests change, or just for good-old networking purposes.

[Josh deVries]

Thank you for all of your responses. I agree with the last comment in terms of having "street-cred." While all of these schools look intriguing, I have to be concerned about later going for interviews and having to show where I went to college. While I realize how you present yourself plays into it, let's face it: before you even get an interview, where you went to school plays into it.

Please keep the suggestions coming and please list schools with a tuba teacher!

Thanks!

Josh deVries

P.S. Looked into UGA and went on a visit already (just wasn't the right fit for me.")

[djwesp]

Please keep the suggestions coming and please list schools with a tuba teacher!

Miss State- The elephant

Arkansas State University- Ed Owen

Memphis University- Kevin Sanders

University of Central Arkansas- Christian Carichner

Florida State University- Paul Ebbers


As bloke suggested, The University of Arkansas has Ben Pierce, however, they have not displayed to me, personally, a committment to their education program or even music program. He is an amazing teacher and player, but i do not reccommend them based upon other facets of the program.

All of the above listed are great players and great teachers. If you haven't heard of them, which would be sort of suprising, you should look into them. They are all very good.

[djwesp]

I guess I should also plug one of my alma maters.


The University of Nebraska-Kearney. Small school, tons of ensembles, and Michael Forbes is the tuba instructor.

[eaborst]

I would look at University of Illinois and Univesity of Kansas as well. Both have large Music Ed programs and first rate teachers.

Alex B

[djwesp]

Univesity of Kansas as well.

Scott Watson!


Good post eaborst!

[Chris Smith]

Michigan State University- Phil Sinder
Michigan University- Fritz Kaenzig
University of Wisconsin Madison- John Stevens
Indiana University- Daniel Perantoni
All great schools with amazing teachers and I am sure there is a chance of scholarship. It depends on more then money as I am sure you know.