Best colleges for music performance majors?

Hello! I'm a high school junior planning to major in music performance. Can anyone recommend any colleges with top-notch music performance programs I should consider adding to my list? I'm looking for a good balance between excellent music education and a strong academic curriculum.

Hello! It's fantastic that you're pursuing a music performance major and looking for the right balance between music education and academics. I can recommend a few colleges and conservatories known for their strong music performance programs and academic curriculums.

1. Juilliard School: Highly prestigious and selective, Juilliard is one of the best schools for music performance in the world. While it focuses heavily on performance, students can also take classes at Columbia University and Barnard College to get a well-rounded education.

2. Indiana University Jacobs School of Music: Known for its top-notch music programs, IU offers diverse music education offerings and a wide range of resources. With nearly 200 full-time faculty members and 1,600 students, it's one of the largest and most comprehensive music schools in the country.

3. New England Conservatory: As one of the oldest independent schools of music in the United States, NEC offers both robust music performance programs and connections to Harvard and Tufts for academic courses.

4. Oberlin College Conservatory of Music: Oberlin provides a unique experience, as it's part of a liberal arts college. Students can receive a dual degree in music performance and another field, and this track provides an excellent balance between performance and academia.

5. University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance: UM offers high-quality music performance programs alongside a strong academic curriculum. The school is known for its excellent faculty and opportunities for research and collaboration.

6. Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester: This top-ranking music school offers fantastic music performance programs and the chance to take academic courses at the University of Rochester.

7. Northwestern University Bienen School of Music: Northwestern provides a strong music education combined with access to the renowned academic curriculum of the broader university. It has an excellent faculty and a wide range of departmental resources.

These are just a few examples of schools known for their music performance programs and strong academics. When researching, pay attention to program offerings, faculty credentials, collaborative opportunities with other art forms, and the school's overall reputation. And don’t forget to discount campus culture as well—you want to be sure you choose an institution where you’ll thrive personally as well as musically and academically. Best of luck in your search!