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I am a sophmore in high school......starting to look at colleges. I figured get a start on it early. I am interested in being a music education major but still want to do a fair share of performing. I think I would rather go to a university with a good music school rather than a conservitory. I would also like to go somewhere with somewhat large marching band. Does anyone have any suggestions of where I should look? Thank you in advance!

Since your on the east coast why not check out Penn State University? Velvet is simply awesome, the school of music is kickin esp. all of the brass studios, and I'm pretty sure the Marching Band is quite large. Def. worth a look!

thank you both for the advice!

When you look at schools, you need to ask yourself some tough questions.

1.) How important is a large school in comparision to a good teacher?
2.) Can I go out of state?
3.) Private or State School...
4.) Do I look for a good "ed" school?
5.) How important are performing opportunities away from the school? (jobs, gigs, pupils, etc...)
6.) Do I want a school with a graduate program? (usually makes the overall "department" stronger, but you might find yourself being taught by someone who is only 5 years older than you...)

In my experience, I had to ask myself what I really wanted to do. I decided that I would find a school that has a great music department, near a large city, and the most important thing that I think we can do as low brass performers - find a teacher that you can work well with. You don't want to spend the next 4 years of your life kicking yourself for making the wrong decision. Take the time - visit places, meet people, email like crazy. Tuba and euphonium professors are for the most part accessible, because they are generally looking for new talent, and are happy when people become proactive in their search for education.

thanks!

Check out Michigan State University. They have one of the best ed programs, a huge (and very good) marching band, and the tuba prof. - Phil Sinder - is a great player and person.

UMich is going be eating it this year man.

Prepare for the year of the Hawkeye.

Do you want to study with the tuba prof or a grad student, some of the large colleges start you out studying privately mostly with a grad or doctoral candidate, I dont know of any schools out there that it happens but I know it does happen.

JB

I can't thank all of you enough for all of the advice! I have explored UNH and I am not really interested in going there. My youth orchestra's conductor is the choral director there and I have worked with the staff and several students there from a great summer music camp I attend. Also, not trying to be a pain to my parents.....but I don't want to be that close. Also, they don't have a tuba professuer.....they have a low brass guy who's main instrument is trombone. He's a great guy and I have known him for a few years but I would prefer someone who's main instrument is tuba I think.

Oregon has a strong school of music, although their associate director of bands left recently.

If you want a good marching band try Cal.

for what you are looking for, in no particular order, check out:

Indiana University
University of Michigan
Michigan State
University of Illinois
Penn State
James Madison University
Florida State
University of Florida
University of Texas
Univeristy of so. California
Youngstown State University
Louisiana State
University of Georgia

check out the websites. contact the tuba prof. visit for more than one day, get a lesson, hear the ensembles, talk to the students. start early! more than a year early! there is a ridiculous amount of good tuba teaching going on in the US, so get to know the studio, campus and the student body, too.

Music ed majors at UCLA still get to take lessons with Tommy Johnson. He is arguably the best tuba teacher in the world. It appears that he will be around forever, but I have a feeling he'll be joining the PGA tour in a few years and won't be doing as much tuba stuff. We'll see.

And if you're not worried about gang warfare, earthquakes, race wars, car chases, ever-increasing traffic, ridiculous taxes, and sexual discrimination lawsuits, come out to the coast. The weather is just fine.