Topic: College of Fine Arts
September 19, 2008
In Tune magazine has listed Ball State University's
School of Music as one of the nation's best.
In the current issue, the magazine placed Ball State among other elite institutions such as Juilliard, Oberlin and the Boston Conservatory in its "Best Music Schools" 2009 listing.
"They looked at Ball State's strengths across the breadth of our programs to see what makes us a cut above the rest," said Meryl Mantione, director of the School of Music. "We have the finest facilities, active faculty members performing and conducting research and the latest technologies and equipment that most music industry professionals don't have, let alone other universities."
To research the article, the magazine went directly to the schools. The benefit is that the list offers a more personal view of the top music schools in the country. Had the article been based solely on numbers, though, Ball State would have fared well with that criteria, too, said John Scheib, School of Music's interim associate director.
In terms of faculty and students, Ball State's School of Music is as large or larger than many schools — in the top 10 percent nationwide. But since a "best" list such as this provides more personal information than just enrollment numbers, prospective students now have a clearer view of what the school can offer them, Scheib said.
"It takes the respect we've earned among our peers and places it into the hands of parents, guidance counselors and potential students," he said. "It goes beyond the school's traditions, and it honors what's happening right now."
In Tune is published with the cooperation and encouragement of the Music Educators National Conference, the Grammy Foundation, VH1's Save The Music, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Broadcast Music Inc. and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.