Ball State University's School of Music was ranked one of the nation's best by In Tune Monthly, putting Ball State's music program in the ranks of Indiana University, Julliard, UCLA and Oberlin College. In Tune is a music magazine targeted at middle school and high school teachers.
"They sent us an extensive questionnaire last summer that we had to fill out, and they use that plus other sources of information to rank us," said Meryl Mantione, director of the School of Music. "Based upon that questionnaire and wherever else they may garner information, we were listed in the top 38."
That top 38 also includes Indiana University. Indiana's opera theater program is the only university opera ever invited to perform with the Metropolitan Opera, according to the school's Web site.
"Their opera program is one of the top in the United States," said Mantione, "but I would say we could take them on in some other areas and be very successful."
There are more than 500 students enrolled in Ball State's School of Music this year, giving Ball State a numerical advantage over other colleges. Students in the music education program have a post-graduation job placement rate of 100 percent.
"Our strongest ambassadors out in the world are our own graduates," Mantione said. "And since we are, I would say, the music education preparation school in the state of Indiana, it's mostly our graduates who are in public schools."
Mantione said the music school wants to maintain that reputation by keeping up with technology.
"One thing that we just tried for the first time last year was streaming live performances," Mantione said. "We want to see more use of Web-based opportunities to get our performing groups and faculty out there."
New course areas are also opening in the school, specifically in the music technology area. Instructor of music theory Jesse Allison received an immersive learning grant last year to create a computer-human interface course, which is an advanced branch of computer music dealing with synthesis, composition and design.
A new course covering music business with a broad introduction into the music industry also was developed this year by associate professor Rick DiGiallonardo, .
"Professor DiGiallonardo also has another project which will involve the American Piano Association," Mantione said. "There will be a major competition, and the winner of the competition will come and do a recording here, where our students enrolled in a class will work with some marketing ideas, recording and electronic packaging of materials."
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