The Harvard University Department of Music provides an excellent musical education that helps students develop advanced skills in music as well as music history and repertory. The Music Department has a graduate and undergraduate program. Students of the graduate program will gain a Ph.D in historical musicology, theory, composition and ethnomusicology. Undergraduate students will gain an A.B. in music. Harvard also focuses on performing, and the program includes performances of original compositions, master classes, concerts and recitals.
The curriculum at Berklee has a contemporary approach, and covers a variety of influential styles, technologies and career opportunities for an emerging music professional. The majors include production, writing, composition, performing, education, film scoring and music business and management. The school offers a fully accredited four-year baccalaureate degree. Applicants are considered for a scholarship through the audition and interview process. Students participating in these programs will experience a range of studies to enhance creativity and prepare them for a lifelong career in music.
Juilliard's renowned music program is the largest of the school's three divisions, with students from more than 40 countries. Its distinguished faculty includes recipients of Pulitzer Prizes, Grammy Awards and numerous prestigious fellowships. Students in the undergraduate program can receive a Bachelor of Music degree. Students in the graduate program can receive the Master of Music (M.M.) degree in historical music performance, jazz, music performance and opera studies; and a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.). Applicants are encouraged to apply for financial aid, and 80 percent of students receive scholarships.
Oberlin Conservatory of Music is the oldest music conservatory in the United States, and has an exclusive program. The conservatory offers intense programs to prepare students for professional careers in music. The majors include performance, composition, jazz studies, education, music history and theory; and the undergraduate program can lead to a Bachelor of Arts degree and a five-year program that will lead to a Master of Music degree. The audition process can be done either on campus, regionally or through a video submission.
The Thornton School of Music at USC in Los Angeles ranks among the top of the nation's music conservatories. Graduates of the school have performed on stages around the world, and have achieved prestigious musical careers with major orchestras, ensembles and major recording studios. Some of their programs include composition, jazz studies, film scoring, musicology, education, keyboard studies, strings, winds and percussion, and vocal arts and opera. Depending on the musical program, the application process varies for both graduates and undergraduates.