William Paterson University

[Manticore Guy]

I live in West Orange, NJ and play in WOHS jazz 1 band. Today Director of Jazz Studies of William Paterson University, came in and talked/listened/conducted us for two hours. He was a quite interesting and nice guy, with a lot to say about our band and music in general. He told me that I should check out William Paterson one day and see how the college experience works and such, which would be pretty cool. Anyways, it is apparently a top 10 jazz studies school, so have any of you TBers gone there?

[shwashwa]

its a great school. it's main local competitor, Rutgers (Mason Gross school of the arts) is also a great school. check out both. the "paper" from rutgers might be worth more in the long run, but the education from either will be top notch.

[musicman5string]

Hey Manticore-
I went there; graduated in 99. I don't know what the Jazz program is like these days, but while I was there, generally, it was great. Good things and bad things about it, like anywhere. I also knew some people who went to Rutgers and the New School and MSOM. The good thing about WP is that the tuition in alot cheaper.
Some of the great things when I was there were: getting to study with Rufus Reid and Todd Coolman; both incredible players and teachers. However neither is there anymore.
The level of players was very, very high. You don't go there to learn "Stella By Starlight"; they expect you to know what's up with common tunes before you get in. So you get to play challenging music all the time. Also the ear training was really good.
Some of the less than great things were: the acoustics in the whole music building, including practice rooms and recital halls, is atrocious. Also, the secretarial staff was extremely disorganized (I didn't receive my diploma for a year after I graduated due to an error by a secretary). Also, since you have to take general elective classes also, you have to deal with the morons that go there majoring in basket weaving.
Anyways, I think like most places, you'll get out of it what you make of it. If you need any more info, let me know. I'd certainly look into it though.
MM

[Sam Sherry]

My old pal Janet Reeves teaches there. Janet is one of the scariest musicians I've ever run across -- a genuine QUADRUPLE-threat player. She's an outstanding jazz vocalist. She's at least as good playing jazz piano. She has held the piano chair in the Portland Symphony Orchestra for many years. Her masters, IMR, was in classical vocal studies. Sheesh!

Janet teaches jazz piano class and runs some lessons --she's no "star" on that staff. Any program where that's the level of the "regular" teaching talent has got to be damn good!

[musicman5string]

I'm not familiar with her, but she certainly sounds like one hell of a musician. She wasn't there during my time unfortunately.

[VTDB]

I studied briefly with Marcus McLaurine who took over for Rufus when he left WP. He's a really great guy and an excellent player.