Hello,

Here is the compilation of my earlier request for strong collegiate music education
programs on the east coast.

THANK YOU to everyone who responded.
-Jen
jenmoss77(a)yahoo.com

o Music Education College Recommendations for the East Coast o
Compiled by J. Moss from suggestions by choral educators

Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. - Jen - You simply can't do better, I
think, than Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. Of course, there may be
other programs (colleges) to consider as well, depending on a student's individual
interests, etc. Great opportunities at WCC in a supportive atmosphere. Great voice
teaching.

Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Princeton NJ, is just outstanding.

Jen,
I truly can't say enough about Westminster Choir College. The Music Ed Dept has
four fulltime faculty and a number of adjuncts, all of this focusing on choral and
vocal music. For a focused vocalist, this is the best place. The balance of music is
70/30, and students receiver private and group lessons every week, with choirs
meeting for an hour 4 days a week. Singing opportunities include the NJ Symph,
NY Phil, Philly Orchestra, National Symphony, and numerous other groups. The
school produces 3 operas annually, as well as 6 to 10 full musical theatre
productions. I highly recommend it for vocal.

Dear Jen,
I would highly recommend Westminster Choir College for vocal music ed. I
graduated from Westminster in 1997 and feel that WCC prepared me in many ways
for not only being an outstanding educator, but also being astrong, well rounded
musician. It is not a school that is for everyone. It is a very focused school
that can,
like many performance schools, be competitive and stressful at times. The small
nature of the school allows it's students to be known by the faculty in ways that
most
schools can not offer, and the faculty really cares about it's students. I was also
impressed with the voice faculty at WCC. Music Ed. students have the opportunity
to take one hour voice lessons with the same instructors that voice performance
students take from. Where else can students on an undergraduate level perform
with the New York Philharmonic, the New Jersey Symphony, the Philadelphia
Orchestra among others and learn from such choral experts as Dr. James Jordan.

University of Delaware in Newark, DE with Paul Head

Florida State with Andre Thomas - There are few that are much stronger than
Florida State University (in Tallahassee). The music ed and vocal faculty are all
highly respected in their areas; I feel like I got a GREAT education from everyone I
had classes with. Also, most of the music education courses include time in the
many area public schools (which encompass a variety of social and economic
backgrounds) both observing and actively teaching. You can get all the info you
need at music.fsu.edu.

Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam - Jen,
I will be a senior Music Education Major in the Fall at the Crane School of Music in
SUNY Potsdam, and I will tell you that I feel miles more prepared than my friends
who are also pursuing an education degree. In addition, the curriculum, unlike
many colleges that offer Music Education majors, allows you to concentrate on
Music Education rather than Education and Music. Our education classes are
geared directly towards music ed. www.potsdam.edu.

Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA - Dear Jen, There are many fine programs
around but I must suggest my alma mater, Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa.
It is about 20 miles east of Harrisburg, in a rural area. The music education
program was founded with the intent of producing excellence in teaching. Many
very fine professors. Excellent woodwinds, voice and organ that I know despite
being gone many years. They have produced many educators who have gone on
to doctoral work and written and contributed to the field. They had a seminar last
fall that drew on the work of a long ago alum (sorry name doesn't come to me at the
moment). Check out LVC.edu - they have a very generous scholarship program as
well.
Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA - Beautiful
place. Some say that is the Ithaca College of the Mid-South. I have had two
students go there very successfully.


Pennsylvania at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Jen,
We have the finest music education program in Pennsylvania at Indiana University
of Pennsylvania. It is so comprehensive that it is a five year program (unless the
student takes summer courses). Our vocal/choral area is very active with numerous
opportunities for young singers. We are located one hour northeast of Pittsburgh. In
January we will move into our new Music Building with 70 new Steinway pianos.
This fall, the opera is Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte," the Chorus is singing Beethoven's
"9th" with the Altoona Symphony, the Chorale is singing the Brucker "Te Deum" &
Vaughan Williams' "Five Mystical Songs" with the University Orchestra, and the
Chamber Singers perform a concert with Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Pops,
to give you an example of a typical semester. Ask your students to go online
www.iup.edu and click on "College of Fine Arts."

Ithaca College - Very competitive to get in. Expensive private school, but 1st
class!
Suburban atmosphere in a great college town. Excellent voice faculty. Choir sings
on tour each year.

Syracuse University - Easier to get in to than Ithaca and sometimes they have some
good scholarship $$$ available. Campus in a medium sized city. Lots of fun,
football/basketball games. College rah rah spirit! Good vocal faculty.

Hartt College of Music - In Connecticut. Suburban atmosphere. I had two kids go
there who loved it. I don't know much about the voice faculty.

West Chester University - Best state university in Pennsylvania for music. Close to
Philadelphia with all of those advantages. Performance quality is excellent! Good
teachers. Negative is that most of the kids are from Pennsylvania & close by.

Temple University - OUTSTANDING music school in every way. BUT, it is in an
urban environment that may scare some kids and parents who are not used to such
an environment. Near subway stops that can take you anywhere in Philadelphia
and all of the advantages of that city. World class faculty!

Boston University - same as Temple only in Boston. Connections to the
Tanglewood Institute in the summer time. Good times!

James Madison - also in Virginia. Excellent suburban setting. Very rah rah
school.
Excellent reputation and for out of staters, this school is a bargin in the $$$
department.

Long Island University, CW Post Campus---This is in a beautiful area of Long
Island, and the train stops right there to take you to New York City if you wish.
It is a
smaller music program but a very good one. Easier to get into than Ithaca and
Boston.

Eastman School of Music - Rochester, New York--One of the tops in the world, but
not in a great neighborhood, although the students don't seem to mind. World class
education.

St. Rose College - Excellent music program. Not as cometitive. Small environment
in Albany New York and a very caring faculty. Very much like:

University of Maryland - We are located in College Park, MD, just outside of
Washington, DC and are housed in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, a
state of the art facility which opened in 2001. We have excellent choral, band and
orchestral programs, strong private studio teaching and excellent teacher training
programs in both the vocal and instrumental areas. We provide great performance
opportunities as well. For instance, this coming Spring the University Chorale and
the Chamber Singers will combine forces to perform the Bach St. Matthew Passion
with the National Symphony Orchestra under Helmuth Rilling at the Kennedy
Center. You can visit our website at and get more
information. For admissions information contact Ms. Ashley Fleming at aaf.umd.edu>.

St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN - I would highly recommend St. Olaf College.
Although they are not on the east coast, they have a wonderful choir which is
known around the world and a wonderful liberal arts tradition. Their education
program is great.