Best music colleges?

There are many websites that will guide you in your search. You must also decide what AREA of music you wish to major in - performance, jazz studies, composition, music education, music technology, music business, etc. As you go on the websites for these various schools, read the general education and AUDITION requirements. You should be studying with the BEST private teacher you can right now, too!

You might decide to stay within a certain geographical area, or be willing to follow a certain private teacher *anywhere*. My own feeling and advice to my students has always been that there is a great advantage to studying the arts in a big city, because that is where the opportunities are for the FAULTY as well as the students. My husband and I followed this many years ago in our own college selection, and so did our son, who auditioned in Boston, NY, Philadelphia - and the middle of noplace. The Noplace school also has a Big Name - and offered him much $$$ - but he turned it down, since it was not near anything stimulating.

I am a woodwind judge for NY state. Do you participate in groups BEYOND your own school - county, area, state? Do you go to solo and ensemble festivals? There are SO many people ( mainly singer wannabees) that ask about "how do I get famous, without actually taking lessons or doing any real work?" There are no shortcuts. Consider that getting into a good music school is like making a good college varsity team. That much work, that much time, that much desire.

I would start with private lessons from a Sax Player. Check out your local Theater companies. They always have a live orchestra section you could get exposure there.....Always try to do gigs with your peers. Main Thing.....practice...practice....Chromatic Scales and Major scales....it will always help when improvising !

Does your school have counselors that can help you? If not, you can check the library or on-line for colleges that have what you want, then look at their catalogs.