Questions on music programs

[cardinals]

Could any of you recommend music schools or conserveratories with largest fundings (e.g. full tuition waiver for bachelor's programs or tuition waiver + $15-20k assistantships)?

Also, is having previous degrees in music required for applying master's programs? Do you know which universities do not require BS in Music to apply for masters in piano performance?

It also seems that there is a requirement of taking music history and theory tests for some universities. Which study materials do you use to prepare for such tests?

[prongated]

...Colburn, Curtis, and Oberlin are the only ones I know where you don't have to worry about living and tuition costs. But you have to be 21 and under (or is it under 21?) to go to Curtis and you have to be very very exceptional to get into them. Colburn, for example, takes about 2-3 piano students every year out of hundreds that applied from around the world, although the intake number may change when they finished the school expansion.

Universities like USC do offer, at least for their masters degree, either full tuition or living scholarships, but you can't have both. You can, however, try out for a job as a teaching assistant to help cover living costs.

Where exams are required, the concerned universities will most likely have a list of resources that they recommend for those exams.

[amelialw]

well if you're willing to study overseas her in canada there's the Vancouver Academy of Music. It only costs 5k per year and 2.5k with financial assistance for a B.A degree in music performance.The drawback is that they take in hardly any students every year and it is extremely difficult to get in. Most of the students that audition even complete their B.A degrees in their own country 1st. Most of the student are all foreign. Same goes for the teachers. Majority of the teachers are world class teachers and pianists if not students of the world class musicians. My teacher studied there and taught there as well. I auditioned last year and did not get in. My teacher is much more confident that i'll get in next year.

Do you know which universities do not require BS in Music to apply for masters in piano performance?
all of them require B.A's in music

as far as I know, no theory requirements.