Suppose you'd like to learn music theory. In that case, you'll typically learn it during your music classes or, if you play an instrument, during your classes for that.
If you want to enhance your understanding of music theory, many incredible schools nationwide have excellent music programs.
To help you start your search, here are the best cities for learning music theory in the US, complete with the top institutions and some good reasons why they're such good places for music.
Here's a summary of the cities and places we discuss in the article.
| City | Institution | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, Georgia | Emory University | Comprehensive music program covering classical and contemporary music theory. |
| Georgia State University (GSU) School of Music | Offers undergraduate and graduate programs in traditional music theory, composition, and jazz studies. | |
| Clark Atlanta University | Focuses on American musical traditions with courses in classical, gospel, and jazz music theory. | |
| Austin, Texas | University of Texas at Austin - Butler School of Music | Includes harmony, counterpoint, analysis, and research opportunities in modern theoretical techniques. |
| Boston, Massachusetts | Berklee College of Music | Offers music theory, composition, and jazz studies programs. |
| New England Conservatory | One of the most prestigious institutions for studying music theory. | |
| Harvard University | Offers an excellent music program, including music theory. | |
| Chicago, Illinois | Northwestern University - Bienen School of Music | Top-ranked music program covering traditional and modern composition and musical analysis. |
| DePaul University | Known for its strong music theory and performance programs. | |
| University of Chicago | Offers graduate-level study programs in music theory with a focus on research and analysis. | |
| Los Angeles, California | University of Southern California (USC) - Thornton School of Music | Offers a strong focus on music theory, especially for film scoring, contemporary, and classical music. |
| California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) | Known for its focus on new music and cross-disciplinary music studies. | |
| Nashville, Tennessee | Vanderbilt University - Blair School of Music | Focuses on classical music and music theory. |
| New Orleans, Louisiana | Loyola University New Orleans | Offers music programs covering classical and jazz music theory. |
| Tulane University | Offers music theory and jazz studies courses. | |
| New York City, New York | Juilliard School | Highly selective and top-ranked school for performing arts, including a strong focus on music theory. |
| Columbia University | Known for its programs in music theory, composition, and ethnomusicology. | |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Curtis Institute of Music | One of the country's most selective and highly rated music schools with excellent courses in music theory. |
| University of the Arts | Offers a creative, interdisciplinary approach to contemporary and jazz music theory. | |
| San Francisco, California | San Francisco Conservatory of Music | Leading conservatory focusing on classical music and music theory. |
| University of California, Berkeley | Known for its music program focused on research and musicology. |
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the country's foremost centers for music, especially for people interested in hip-hop, R&B, and gospel music.
It's home to a booming music industry, but its main strength is the sheer diversity and cultural richness offered by its music scene.
Here are some of your best options for anyone wanting to study music in Atlanta, Georgia.
Emory University
Emory University offers a comprehensive music program that covers both classical and contemporary music theory. Students can delve into traditional harmony, ethnomusicology, modern composition, and more, ensuring a well-rounded education in music theory.
Georgia State University (GSU) School of Music
The GSU music department offers undergraduate and graduate music theory programs that include traditional music theory, composition, and jazz studies.
Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University focuses on American musical traditions with courses and programs exploring classical, gospel, and jazz music. This is a great school for anyone wanting to study music theory with a typically Atlantan or Georgian background.
If you want to read music, you must study music theory!
Austin, TX
Austin claims to be the "Live Music Capital of the World", and given its thriving music scene, especially for rock, indie, and country musicians. It's an excellent place for anyone interested in studying music theory and we'd definitely recommend studying music theory in Austin.
University of Texas at Austin - Butler School of Music
Any aspiring music theory student should consider the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music.
The Butler School of Music has a well-rounded music program. It is the leading institution for studying music in Austin. The program includes music theory, composition, and performance, drawing from classical and contemporary approaches.
There are courses in harmony, counterpoint, analysis, and modern theoretical techniques. For advanced degrees in music theory, there are also research opportunities.
Boston, MA
Boston is home to many excellent schools and has a longstanding history with the scholarly study of music and music performance.
Whether your musical background is in classical or contemporary music, you'll likely find a good program in Boston, which boasts some of the best schools in the United States.
Here are just a few of them.
Berklee College of Music
The Berklee College of Music is a private music college with campuses in Boston, New York City, and Valencia, Spain.
Here, we're referring to the Boston campus, which offers music theory, composition, and jazz studies programs.
Just check out the Berklee Reverence Gospel Choir performing "My Liberty" here. It's awesome.
New England Conservatory
For those interested in music in Boston, the New England Conservatory is among the most prestigious in the United States.
Harvard University
Most people in the United States and worldwide have heard of Harvard University. Unsurprisingly, the top school in the world has an excellent music program if you can get into it.
Chicago, IL
Chicago has a rich history of jazz and blues music. It's also home to a classical and experimental music scene.
This means that music students can enjoy and learn about various music styles.
These are the top places to study music theory in and around Chicago.
Northwestern University - Bienen School of Music
Northwestern is one of the best schools in the country, and the music program at the Bienen School of Music is top-ranked. It covers music theory with traditional and modern composition and musical analysis approaches.
DePaul University
The music program at DePaul is known for its strong theory and performance elements.
The academic programs include the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Arts programs. These each come with different majors and course structures.
Performance
Composition
Jazz Studies
Music Education
Performing Arts
Management
Sound Recording Technology
Performing Arts Management
Music
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago has a reputation for the quality of its education. It offers graduate-level study programs in music theory, focusing on research and analysis.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles has long been associated with the performing arts. Its music scene has launched many artists' careers, and it's also a great city for students looking to study music and music theory.
Here are some of the key educational institutions for studying music theory in LA.
University of Southern California (USC) - Thornton School of Music
This is one of the top music schools in the United States, and the music program strongly focuses on music theory. This is especially recommended for students interested in film scoring, contemporary music, or classical music.
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
CalArts is known for its unique approach to music theory, focusing on new music and cross-disciplinary music studies. If you're interested in a different perspective on music theory, CalArts could be the perfect fit for you.
Nashville, TN
Nashville, Tennessee, is literally known as "Music City". It's the home of country music and the country music industry. Still, it's also a fantastic place for anyone studying music theory.
Here, we've included a school you should consider for your research if you think Music City would be a good fit for you.
Of course, there are many non-academic solutions in Nashville, too, if you'd like to learn music theory differently.
Vanderbilt University - Blair School of Music
The Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music offers a music program focusing on classical music and music theory.
There are also opportunities to join various ensembles such as the Vanderbilt University Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, the Choral Ensembles, the Percussion Group, Chamber Music Ensembles, Blair Big Band, and several others.
Here you can enjoy the Vanderbilt Wind Symphony performing "Yakka" by José Rafael Pascual Vilaplana.
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is another city with a legendary music history, particularly for jazz musicians. Anyone interested in music theory, improvisation, and performance should put the Big Easy on their list.
There are several academic institutions in one of the United States' most vibrant cities that would be suitable for any student interested in learning about music theory.
Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University in New Orleans has a music program covering classical and jazz music theory.
Tulane University
Tulane University's music department offers courses and programs covering music theory and jazz studies, making it another great choice for students interested in the city of New Orleans.
Despite only having 12 notes, there are an infinite number of combinations.
New York City, NY
New York City offers many musical events, performances, and learning opportunities for students interested in almost any musical genre.
From classical music to jazz via experimental avant-garde musical genres, The Big Apple has something for everyone.
If you'd like to study music theory here, there are plenty of places, but these are a few of the most recommended places.
Juilliard School
Juilliard is synonymous with the performing arts; whether it's acting or music, this is the top-ranked music school in the United States.
It's notoriously difficult to get into, though, with an incredibly selective and challenging admissions process.
Columbia University
Columbia University comes highly recommended for music programs and courses in music theory, composition, and ethnomusicology.
Philadelphia, PA
The City of Brotherly Love also loves classical music, jazz, and soul, and several high-quality institutions offer courses in music theory.
Curtis Institute of Music
This is one of the country's most selective and highly rated music schools, especially for classical musicians. The courses on music theory are outstanding.
University of the Arts
This is the place to choose if you're interested in contemporary and jazz music theory. This school offers a creative, interdisciplinary approach to teaching.
If you'd like to quickly start with music theory, here's an excellent video explaining it.
San Francisco, CA
Last, we have San Francisco, another city with a classical and contemporary music history.
There are many good institutions in and around San Francisco where students can study music and music theory.
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
This is one of the country's leading conservatories and a great choice for students with a background in classical music.
University of California, Berkeley
UC Berkley's music program focuses on research and musicology. We recommend it to anyone interested in music theory.
Where would you like to study music theory?
Study Music Theory with Superprof
Of course, if you'd like to study music theory outside of school or college, you can always learn directly from a private tutor.
There are plenty of talented and experienced music theory tutors on the Superprof website, and you can learn music theory specific to your favorite genres and the instrument you play.
Just search for “Music Theory” on Superprof today!
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