Is Case Western Reserve University a good school for music?
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What do you want to major in?
Since 1968 Case Western Reserve University and The Cleveland Institute of Music have participated in an integrated music program at both the undergraduate and the graduate levels. The Joint Music Program (JMP) allows students at both institutions to take advantage of the resources of a major research university as well as those of a leading conservatory. Students enrolled at CWRU, who may pursue a BA in Music or a BS in Music Education, take music lessons and music theory courses at CIM. Students enrolled at CIM, who pursue a BM degree, take music history, music education, and general education courses at CWRU.
Both CWRU and CIM are located in University Circle, giving students access to a wealth of cultural institutions within short walking distance from campus.
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Case music students get access to CIM teachers and Case offers a well organized way to double major
or dual major in music with a second major-
http://music.case.edu/ugrad-academic-programs/double-major-dual-degree-program-information/
And play at some incredible venues–
http://music.case.edu/cwru-baroque-ensemble-to-perform-at-bloomington-early-music-festival/
The music venues where Case students play, are fantastic acoustically. and may include Severance Hall, for some ensembles, the home of Cleveland Orchestra. CIM has its own venue, and Harkness Hall is a Case venue
and then there is the new Maltz Performing Arts Center just to the west of campus–
Non majors can get access to some incredibly good music teachers by paying an extra fee for lessons:
http://music.case.edu/music-lessons-for-students-not-majoring-in-music/
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I have a student who is a double major in Engineering and Music. It is challenging - because both majors are challenging with no overlap - but he enjoys it. One reason he chose Case is because it is very doable as a double major as the program is very defined and established. You study with a music teacher from CIM. Music Theory (4 semesters) can be taken at Case or CIM - if that fits your schedule better. Same class. Music History requirements and electives are typically taken at Case. Their Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and other smaller groups are all first rate. You will be playing with very talented musicians. Additionally, the CIM dorm is attached/next to some of the North Side freshman dorms. My S made several friends there that he still plays music with.
Case is highly regarded for Music Ed but I can’t really tell you as much about that program. You don’t make a distinction of which music program you are interested in.
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@heen0814 Jazz and Early Music ensembles are combined at CWRU and CIM, giving you access to very
high level instruction and advanced ensembles, and some of the musicians are in the conservatory program at CIM.
https://www.cim.edu/academic-programs/ensembles/chamber-music
CWRU has its own full orchestra separate from CIM, and its own large symphonic wind ensemble.
There used to be horn players from CIM in the Symphonic Winds but it looks like CIM has formed its own
Symphonic winds in recent years.
There are a lot of pianos all over campus to play as well.
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My daughter is a music major at CWRU. She started as an engineering major, had a plan to do both degrees in four years, and enjoyed her engineering classes and did well in them. However, Along the way she realized she loved her music classes more, combined with a love of service at the CWRU CCEL, lead her to drop her engineering degree, and she now plans to do a 3-1 program to get her masters in nonprofit management (MNO) at the same time she gets her BA in music. All still in four years total time. (Then either work for a nonprofit or law school in the area of social
Justice issues.)
The music department is top notch. The opportunities are extremely numerous. She also had research opportunities during her first year in engineering at a lab,which helped her recognize that her passion for service. The students are very talented, and the faculty are excellent, and ver accessible. They often offer special opportunities to the students.
The arts community in Cleveland is thriving. See this recent article for examples: there are events nearby all the time.
https://m.clevescene.com/cleveland/university-circle/Content?oid=16008343
While she’s not doing music education, her friends speak highly of those courses too.
Honestly, when she was looking at colleges, I wondered if she would end up really wanting a science degree, so we looked pretty extensively at the arts and social sciences at CWRU before she enrolled. And they are very very strong at CWRU. I know CWRU is known as a great place for engineering, but its arts programs, with its partnerships with CIM and CIA are great. And the 3-1 MA program she plans to enroll in, is in the Mandel School of social work, recently named a top 10 program in the country.
The area around CWRU. I would encourage you to visit if you have not, and contact the music department and meet with them. They were great when we were still in the investigation stage. I wish you good luck in your search.
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@Wizard2 , glad to see the update on your DD. I remember you considering fit very carefully before she went to Case. So many people know of CWRU’s strengths in engineering/science … it is refreshing to read of strengths in music/humanities. And master’s degree in 4 years … way to go.
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Hi @jollymama
I remember when I first wrote into college confidential (in Oct 2015) we knew very little about CWRU and yours was the first response I got of the many informative notes. I still really appreciate you taking the time to respond to all my questions. I am very thankful for this form, all the veteran CWRU alumni respondents, and all the wonderful things we learned about CWRU.
(Here’s that old thread in case it helps others: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/case-western-reserve-university/1816795-case-western-reserve-university-ea-2020-fit-p1.html
My daughter is doing great at CWRU. Like so many high school students she was not really sure what she wanted to study, and I am very glad she found a college to follow her passions wherever they ended up going. She has had many faculty and staff help and support her along the way. The faculty she has encountered have all been very student focused. The campus area just gets better all the time. (For example, the new landscaping project that ties in the campus to the Cleveland art museum looks great.) And even with the change in majors, the fact that she will be able to pull off both an undergraduate degree and a masters in four years is very cool.
As someone who really knew close to nothing about CWRU two and a half years ago, I really can’t say enough good things about the college now. Just an incredibly great place with life changing opportunities.
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@Wizard2 (and anyone else who can chime in) - what about programs for NON-music majors? We couldn’t fit in the music open house, but we did walk through several areas and didn’t see a lot of ec music offerings. My son doesn’t want to major, but would love to play in an orchestra (double bass). He only saw 4 storage units for bass, which made us wonder.
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Hi @jeh3924
All of the musical groups are open for non-majors. There are not a lot of music majors but there are a lot of science type students who want to continue playing in the band, orchestra, jazz band, or vocal groups, etc. Many of my daughters friends are non-music majors who play in one of the musical groups. In addition, there are small ensembles that students can do: wind, brass, etc and popular music groups as well. There is a concerto competition each year open to students of any major. Private lessons by excellent instructors are available for non majors as well. Music majors get to attend all the Cleveland Symphony orchestra (world class) performances for free, but non music majors can also get extemelt discounted tickets ($15) or sometimes free too at the last minute.
Most of the rehearsals take place at a rehearsal hall that is right next to the freshmen dorms. There is a lot of storage there but it might not all be together, and if you don’t have something, CWRU seems to be well stocked for loaner equipment. Upper class students have practice rooms is some of the apartment buildings as well. There are pianos all over the campus too.
I am sure the orchestra would love to have your son join. The orchestra is excellent.
The new main performance venue, an older renovated historic synagogue, the Maltz Center is beautiful. There are plans to add a new music building behind it. They may have even started some of that work. They also perform in other venues in the campus.
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@Wizard2 - thank you! I appreciate all your insights since we didn’t get to spend as much time on music as we would have liked!
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