Juilliard is arguably the most well-known music school in the world, and ranked as the top school by Zen College Life. Applications to the school are intensely competitive, and are conducted through an audition process. There are students from more than 40 countries that attend the school. Instructors include winners of the most prestigious awards in the world, such as Pulitzers and Grammys. Instruction in most musical disciplines is available, including piano, harp, guitar, voice, strings and more.
The Berklee College of Music was among "In Tune" magazine's top schools in 2010. Berklee offers programs across a wide range of musical disciplines. This includes performance specific programs in almost any instrument, but also in many other areas that professional musicians might choose to pursue. Music therapy, composition, songwriting, film scoring and jazz are just some of the areas that students can specialize in.
In early 2011, Education Portal ranked Harvard as their top college or university for music students. This program offers educational opportunities that reach from an A.B. concentration in music for undergraduates to four specializations for Ph.D. candidates. The undergraduate program for music provides a broad education in musical matters, rather than performance-based instrument studies. Music history, musicology and studies that provide a broad base in topics that will augment performance, such as theory studies, are emphasized.
The University of Michigan is ranked well by several websites and recognized for its music program. The department is known as the UM School of Music Theatre & Dance. This allows for some overlapping programs in addition to the types of music programs found at other schools, such as a musical theater program. The Department of Jazz & Improvisation is another example of a U of M music program. It focuses on teaching students about the jazz techniques and forms from historic jazz, and then encourages them to explore modern jazz and their artistic boundaries.