Best Schools for Drumming

I think the most important advice I can give about deciding on a collage and a career path would be to spend days, hours, weeks, even months investigating your options and the possible paths you might take.  If you want to be come a performer and a professor at a university, look around to see what schools you might like to teach at.  Read up on the biographies of their current professors and study their credentials to see the path they took to get there.  If you want to be a rock star drummer for some world famous band, decide which bands and drummers you’d like to emulate and investigate how they got there, many of them just got lucky, but many others worked hard to get where they are and a drum set trade school or university can often be found in their experience as well.  Main point; spend the time to decide where you’d like to be, and follow the path that was taken by those who are currently doing what you’d like to be doing!  We’re not re-inventing the wheel here… :-)

         Now on to the Best Colleges and Universities for Percussion and Drum Set!  By the way, this list is really just the tip of the iceberg.  There are literally hundreds of schools across the world that can provide a great education and experience.  These are just some of the real all-star schools that carry great name recognition in addition to a great education, which again depending on your career path, can open up doors.

So here’s the list of some of the best schools and why they’re on here:

Best Schools for Overall Percussion and Drum Set:

University of North Texas – Denton, Texas

         One of the best, if not the best school in the world for percussion and drum set, and internationally recognized as such.  Big program means diverse groups to perform with.  Being close to a large city like Denton also provides other gigging opportunities outside of school, however being in a smaller city contributes to a smaller price tag for tuition!  One downside is that it being a large percussion program can mean not much one on one attention with super star staff if you’re not the best. Staff includes Ed Soph.

University of Miami Frost School of Music – Miami Florida

They have a reputation as one of the best percussion programs, but much smaller and more intimate program than UNT.  Staff includes Steven Rucker (drum set), Richard E. Bravo (Latin percussion).  One downside is that it can be a relatively expensive school.

Indiana University – Bloomington, Indiana

         They also have a smaller program than UNT and they have a great reputation of having a very organized, amazing friendly and accessible faculty.  They are also well known for their world percussion.  Staff includes Steve Houghton, John Tafoya, Kevin Bobo, and Michael Spiro.

Berkley College of Music – Boston, Massachusetts

One of the best schools, and well known through out the world even by non-musicians, but has drawbacks similar to UNT because of extremely large program (largest independent music college in the world.)  Has a great career development emphasis.  Staff includes Kenwood Dennard, Rod Morgenstein and Terri Lynn Carrington on faculty. The school and music scene in Boston offer a great melting pot of learning and playing opportunities. www.berklee.edu

Julliard – New York City, New York

         It’s Julliard, what more can be said!  It’s a small and highly selective school, has amazing staff, lots of playing opportunities with exceptional musicians on every instrument, and substantial name recognition.  Staff includes Carl Allen, Billy Drummond, Kenny Washington, and members of the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera.

Eastman School of Music – Rochester, New York

This is an amazing school, small, and well known for its exceptional jazz program and winds department.  They contrast with Julliard in that they only focus on music instead of also being involved with theatre and dance.  They also have a hefty composition and electronic music program.  They are a part of the University of Rochester.  Staff includes Micheal Buritt and many members of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

University of Sothern California Thornton School of Music – LA, California

They have an exceptional classical program and Peter Erskin on staff, one of the greatest jazz drummers alive.  They have a reputation of being the best school in the west for performance.  Their staff includes members of the LA Phillharmonic.  Of course being in LA this school has a high price tag.

Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University – Evanston, Illinois

This is another smaller school such as Indiana or Miami that can be more intimate of a program. She-e Wu is one of the world’s greatest percussionists and marimba players in the world and she’s on staff here.  Staff also includes Willie Jones iii.

College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati – Cincinnati, Ohio

A great school that offers a really well rounded percussion experience similar to Indiana.  Staff includes Allen Otte, James Culley, & Russel Burge members of world-renowned Percussion Group Cincinnati.  It’s also a very recognized school for musical theater, and dance.

Oberlin – Oberlin, Ohio

This is a smaller school that offers unique five-year double majoring with a B.A. and a B.Mus. It houses one of the largest and comprehensive music libraries in the world.  Staff includes Micheal Rosen (percussion) Billy Hart (drum set).

Best Schools for Drum Set Centered Studies (contemporary music emphasis):

Musicians Institute – Hollywood, California

This is a great school in a town filled with great music and great musicians. You can take private lessons, short-courses or study full-time towards a Bachelors In Music with emphasis in contemporary music.  Staff include Chuck Flores, Ed Roscetti, David Salinas and Chuck Silverman. www.mi.edu

The Drummers Collective – New York City, New York

Created by a small group of New York pro drummers. School features Jazz ensemble and big band experience, ethnic percussion and hand drumming. Staff includes Frank Katz, Kim Plainfield, Nathaniel Townsley and Pat Petrillo. Courses include 5 day intensives, 4 week intensives and their more in-depth Performance Musicianship Program.  www.thecollective.edu

LA Music Academy – Pasadena, California

Ralph Humphrey and Joe Porcaro head up the program and provide intensive summer programs, diplomas and degree programs.  It’s located in a city with a lot of music and opportunities to make connections and perform outside of school.  Staff includes Dave Beyer, Gary Ferguson, Richie Gajate Garcia, Tony Inzalaco. http://lamusicacademy.edu/

Drumtech – London, England

One of the best schools in UK they’ve had alumni perform with groups such as KT Tunstell, Radiohead, Peter Gabriel, Esteelle, Chipmuck and Basement Jaxx.  They do private lessons, 3 month courses and full BMus degrees.  Staff includes Erik Stams, Adam Betts, Phillippe Castermane.  www.techmusicschool.co.uk

Here’s some other links with great info for help deciding on a school that’s right for you:

http://thedrumninja.com/2010/05/the-top-5-drum-schools/

http://www.uky.edu/FineArts/Music/faculty/jim_campbell/preparation.php

-Jeremy Brown

Posted February 2011