Univ North texas ?

[SteveY]

Our son is starting to look for a college for the fall of 2004 to pursue a Music Performance degree and possibly a Master degree. On this forum and looking at bios of several college instructors across the country, the University of North Texas comes up frequently as a past educational background. However, in researching strong/good college level music programs at our local library, the University of North Texas never comes up in any of publications as a strong music program. Why is that, is UNT overrated?

[miles_ahead_music]

No, it's definitely not overrated! Have you also searched North Texas State University? It may be that the library still categorizes it by the old name. Just a thought.

Not overrated!

[gary]

Boy, I don't know what publications would exclude NT. Their editors need some remedial training. By all means look into NT. It's got its pros and cons but I don't think anyone could question the overall quality.

Perhaps a search on this Forum for NT, North Texas, Universities, whatever, will help you. There has been much discussion in the past not only about NT but about medium town vs big city environments, etc that apply.

Just a thought. Like many large state programs, undergraduates do not often study with the advertised big guns but with graduate assistants, who may or may not be good for the student. To contrast, at Berklee only the advertised big guns teach. (Doesn't mean, of course, you'll get the gun you want.) Also, in comparison with other schools, NT out-of-state tuition is cheaper than many other schools tuitions.

At any rate, don't overlook this one. The School of Music as a whole is awesome.

[Selmer's_glu]

True, you do start off with a Grad Student as a private teacher, ususally, but the environment of a big school like NT is MUCH more competitive that a small school. If you work hard, you get to have lessons with the big gun, eventuall--its kinda up to you & how hard you try--like the real world.

It has a more "sink or swim" vibe & the students playing level can dramatically increase, because he's trying to keep up or get play better than 40 or 50 other guys on his same instrument, whereas in the small school the student is sometimes "lulled' in to a false sense of how good he is, just because he's the only guy there that can play decent, etc.

If you want to be a big fish in a small pond, wait until your an adult & professional, when you're competeing for $$$ & to feed your kids, I think college time is a good time to be a small fish & get your feathers ruffled a little bit--you'll be thankful later when you encounter all the lamesters out there in the gigging world.

[SteveY]

Thanks all, for the replies, good points. It sounds like the environment at UNT, i.e. competetion and skill level of the other students, help make UNT a good music school.

My son loves jazz, but also enjoys playing classical music. His current private teacher teaches classical, so my son has had more knowledge and success with classifical, than jazz. At this point, he not sure which way, classical or jazz he wants to go in school. Will this be a problem in going to UNT? What I mean is UNT strictly a jazz school or will he be able to make this decision as he goes along?

[Frank D]

FWIW, I've heard it said that Berklee teaches you how to become a Jazz Artist, NT teaches you how to become a working professional musician. Subtle distinction there.

[gary]

I would not agree with that assessment. Berklee has pop and rock musicians, both as students and faculty members, running out the ear and a lot of the ensembles there reflect that bent.

I am a NT graduate and, although that was some time ago, my son also went there and I have kept some contact. I used to work professionally with some of the faculty. I also attend Berklee workshops.

If I had the money and were returning to school today, I would go to Berklee particularly because its program has a lot of leeway for students who want to learn/refine their skills in popular music areas which, admit or not, is where most of us are making our living, not as jazz artists.

[Ptrick]

As an NT grad, I can answer your question about classical (called "legit" by most of the students and staff). Saxophone majors (music majors/main instrument=sax) are assigned a private teacher by professor Riggs each semester. Ther are some fabulous TA's (teaching assistants) that are free to teach in whatever way they wish but they all maintain the principles agreed on by Riggs and TA's. With your teacher you WILL be required to study "legit". Only if you are extremely proficient at the "legit" studies will you be doing any jazz. For me, it meant learning a whole new way of playing and really took my focus away from jazz. But that is what they have deemed necessary. Which is precisely why the hard-core jazz people were all business majors! NT is a great business school (ECON/ Accounting) that way you can practise solely jazz 4 hours a day instead of working on your Glazinov...
It sounds like NT would match your son's legit AND jazz needs quite well. Plus the warm weather!!! Who wants to freeze in Boston!
Best of luck.

[Selmer's_glu]

Plus dont forget all the Texas girls.............They're so stupid, but soooo cute

[gary]

Hmm. Said like a true Yankee LOL.

Actually I did not like Texas when I was there. A popular saying within the School of Music (particularly from NEasterners) was "Texas has some of the most beautiful girls in the world...until they open their mouths."

Well, uh, I married one of those girls and she now has a PhD from Harvard. Brains and beauty can co-exist...even for blondes.

[Selmer's_glu]

mine too....ex-stewardess, soon to be lawyer---but she wasnt BORN in Texas

[Agent27]

Maybe that's because Denton is too close to Oklahoma. :)

That's why I'm glad I'm in Houston.

BTW, I'm getting my Bachelor's of Music Education with Jazz certification from Southwest Texas State (recently renamed Texas State). I plan to go to UNT for graduate school.

US News and World Report ranked the top 10 Graduate Schools for jazz a couple of years ago.

1. North Texas
2. Eastman School of Music
3. Miami
4. Indiana
5. Northern Colorado
6. New England Conservatory
7. Manhattan School of Music
8. Michigan
9. Florida State
10. (tie) Northern Illinois, Southern Cal, Texas

Here's a link to info on all American Universities that have jazz programs and/or jazz majors.

http://jazzinamerica.org/l_jazzprog.asp?LPOrder=1

[gary]

Agent 27 - is Doug Skinner there? He was a good friend of mine in school; a really good guy.

[Agent27]

Gary, yes he is. I auditioned for him in April and saw him again when I was up there in July. He does seem like a really good guy.