<p>URoch has a dual admittance program for those student who both want conservatory level music studies (at Eastman) and the physical sciences at URoch (which has an excellent physics/optics dept, btw.)</p>
<p>URoch music dept (not the Eastman) is strong and offers numerous performance opportunities just for Roc students–including non-majors. </p>
<p>One perk to consider at URoch is that River campus students are eligible for free music lessons at Eastman.</p>
<p>Case sounds like a really good fit. Come to NE Ohio and visit!</p>
<p>My daughter, the engineering.biology major who wanted to play in the college orchestra and continue lessons did a bunch of things when she was looking at colleges.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>She emailed the orchestra director, private instrument teacher and head of the music departments at ALL of the schools she was considering…told her story and asked what her options would be at their school.</p></li>
<li><p>Because she wanted to take lessons…she asked for a trial lesson at each school we visited and they were all very willing to do this (and yes, we paid for some of them).</p></li>
<li><p>Each school GAVE her a CD of their ensembles. She did hear the orchestras at two of the schools. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Really, the faculty of the schools were MOST accommodating and answered her questions promptly and honestly.</p>
<p>Just FYI, DD graduated from Santa Clara University. She played in their orchestra all four years and even got a small performance scholarship each term (covered her books). At SCU, her instrument lessons were at NO COST to us as long as she played in their ensemble. Their orchestra was not the best on the planet, but my daughter did this for relaxation and fun…and she really enjoyed it. She also played for some community groups and for the university opera and musical theater productions as well. Her oboe teachers there were terrific and she very much liked the orchestra director.</p>
<p>I think the trick is to find a school with high caliber music opportunities, but not such that music majors out-audition the amatuers.</p>
<p>I was really surprised at all of the music opportunities at Case, which I knew mainly for science/engineering. There are really serious classes at the adjacent music school. But at Case you can double major (engineering/music is their most common double major), minor in music, or just take classes and/or join groups (audition and non-audition). With very high stats Case has nice merit awards. But some families complain about the need-based aid. </p>
<p>We also visited Carnegie Mellon. I had a concern that due to the music school my son wouldn’t find good amatueur groups. After the visit I was less concerned, but I did not research it further because he only liked the school…didn’t love it. </p>
<p>Mudd has opportunities for orchestra musicians at Scripps (part of Claremont consortium). Ditto for Pomona.</p>
<p>Smith is a perfect match.</p>
<p>A few questions the OP asked that are unanswered, and I’ll try to fill in some general and specific blanks. Don’t be fooled with thread titles, there are internal links and tangential discussions within: </p>
<p>If you haven’t seen it
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/952321-does-any-your-kids-double-major-computer-engineering-music.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/952321-does-any-your-kids-double-major-computer-engineering-music.html</a></p>
<p>Orchestras:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/634244-college-orchestras.html?highlight=orchestras[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/634244-college-orchestras.html?highlight=orchestras</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/446104-youth-orchestras-community-orchestras-include-college-players.html?highlight=orchestras[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/446104-youth-orchestras-community-orchestras-include-college-players.html?highlight=orchestras</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/444579-strong-orchestras-liberal-arts-schools.html?highlight=orchestras[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/444579-strong-orchestras-liberal-arts-schools.html?highlight=orchestras</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/375252-how-do-college-orchestras-work.html?highlight=orchestras[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/375252-how-do-college-orchestras-work.html?highlight=orchestras</a></p>
<p>Ivys
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/princeton-2014/919415-princeton-university-music-opportunities.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/princeton-2014/919415-princeton-university-music-opportunities.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/835144-yale-symphony-orchestra.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/835144-yale-symphony-orchestra.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/915141-yale-vs-lawrence.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/915141-yale-vs-lawrence.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/908687-yso-audition.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/908687-yso-audition.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/738525-how-strong-music-ec.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/738525-how-strong-music-ec.html</a> (food for thought reading)</p>
<p>Do not assume allstate/yo participation is an “in” for audition based orchastras/ensembles at Yale, Princeton, Harvard, Columbia, especially on violin, typically an instrument with an over representation and an abundance of conservatory / preprofessional talents and abilities. Yale has the most overall opportunities and depth of instrumentation. Chamber music (depending on genre and literature) may be be a harder how to row, as the smaller programs simply may not have the depth of instrumentation or peer talent with like mind and ability. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/842786-music-education-plus-academics.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/842786-music-education-plus-academics.html</a> Ignore the ed, but it addresses a number of programs already mentioned.</p>
<p>As for the recorded bites and clips, these are not always representative of true quality, and may not even be recent. A live performance, or even a rehearsal is far more indicative.</p>
<p>Rochester: I am pretty sure that U of R students can take lessons at Eastman, and that the U of R has its own ensembles and opportunities to perform, along with the almost daily outstanding recitals by Eastman faculty and students. I know a student who did a dual degree in music at Eastman and another major at Rochester, sang in Eastman ensembles and she had to do the “Take Five” program but the fifth year is tuition-free.
Also, check the University of Michigan for an excellent music program; also Indiana University and McGill University. Does anyone know about UCLA in this regard?</p>
<p>Mini - What can you tell me about the orchestra program at Smith?
Thanks.</p>
<p>Violadad - Thanks so much for all of these links. If I’d found those myself, I would not have needed to start this thread! I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>I can confirm that Rochester has multiple opportunities for non-Eastman musicians. A couple of friends of my daughter are science/music double majors at Rochester, not Eastman. They perform in Rochester’s orchestra or choirs, and they also have the opportunity to audition for several of the Eastman ensembles. A couple of her friends sing with the Eastman chorus but are not Eastman students. They all take free private lessons from Eastman graduate students as well.</p>
<p>If your daughter is interested in physics, you can’t beat Rochester. Their subspecialty in optics is second to none.</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon–not really as techy as MIT and getting into the college of science should be a safety for your D. Good for a backup if the ivy doesn’t work out. they have a well developed double major program (BXA) for arts (music and or fine arts) and their music program is top notch. Since there is also a great theatre and arts programs along with liberal arts etc the school, despite lots of computer geeks and emphasis on technology, is a very well rounded school. My S is interested in math/comp scie and art but he loves theatre and plays violin and it was the one school where all his interests could be accomodated.</p>
<p>To the OP regarding Yale’s orchestra recordings. You mentioned the excellent quality. I will say…were you listening to the music department orchestral recording? If so, that is a grad level, fully funded (fellowship) grad music program and their orchestra is outstanding. The likelihood of an undergrad getting a seat in that orchestra is small.</p>
<p>However Yale has a LOT of opportunities for singers and instrumental musicians on the undergrad level including orchestras.</p>
<p>I’m really surprised that your daughter has scratched MIT from her list. I think she should take a look, particularly since some of the most talented musicians/budding scientists in the world attend there. You can major or minor in music at MIT, and I believe that no other school exceeds MIT in the number of active musical performance groups on campus: [MIT</a> Music Program: Academics](<a href=“http://web.mit.edu/music/academics/index.html]MIT”>Massachusetts Institute of Technology |)</p>
<p>Finally, MIT offers your daughter all the options she might desire in terms of science or engineering. On top of that, she can get involved in research from the first semester on campus.</p>
<p>Less far than St. Olaf or Lawrence, but of similar caliber in both academics and music opportunities is Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.</p>
<p>A few more top schools to consider with strong music and science programs - WUSTL, UNC-Chapel Hill and Pomona. Definitely try to attend an orchestra rehearsal when you visit and meet with the orchestra director and violin teacher.</p>
<p>Swarthmore fits your criteria well–we have strong science departments, including engineering. Though some are smaller than others, all have really stellar profs and offer research opportunities. </p>
<p>We field a full orchestra (including some hired professionals, sometimes), and it’s relatively easy for competent non-majors to get in. Private lessons are available for credit, with the College subsidizing between 1/3 and full tuition based on audition (majors are more likely to get the full-tuition scholarships). Small ensembles (ie string quartet, flute and piano, etc.) with coaching are also available for credit. </p>
<p>Haverford and Bryn Mawr have a single music department between them (hosted mostly at Haverford). I know they have an orchestra as well–can’t tell you much beyond that.</p>
<p>Regarding Northwestern, the opportunities for non-majors are listed under “Ensembles For Qualified Students from all Schools”:
[Performing</a> Ensembles, About Us, Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.music.northwestern.edu/about/ensembles.html]Performing”>http://www.music.northwestern.edu/about/ensembles.html)</p>
<p>The chemistry department is highly ranked (7th) and apparently provides many research opportunities. Chemistry majors have been well-represented in [Chicago</a> Area Undergraduate Research Symposium (CAURS)](<a href=“http://www.caurs.com/awards.html]Chicago”>http://www.caurs.com/awards.html)
The department has usually produced 1 or 2 Goldwater winner a year. But this year, they got three! <a href=“Department of Chemistry - Northwestern University”>Department of Chemistry - Northwestern University;
Also check out Integrated Science Program: <a href=“http://www.isp.northwestern.edu/[/url]”>http://www.isp.northwestern.edu/</a> <a href=“http://www.isp.northwestern.edu/index.html[/url]”>http://www.isp.northwestern.edu/index.html</a> The 3 Goldwater winners were also ISP major. Last year, 2 ISP majors won the awards.</p>
<p>MIT had more music opportunities than we expected. But I think it would be hard for most students to survive the academic rigor and do serious music too.</p>
<p>Of the LAC Williams has one of the best (if not the best) science and math programs – and physics is especially strong. It also has strong programs in the visual and performing arts. The Berkshires are a great location for things music. See: [Williams</a> College Music](<a href=“http://music.williams.edu/]Williams”>http://music.williams.edu/)</p>
<p>Williams is very selective and a reach for anyone … but certainly worth exploring.</p>
<p>There are 60-70 orchestral members of the Smith symphony, with a GREAT conductor (Jonathan Hirsch - you can e-mail him if you want more info.) They just celebrated their 100th birthday by playing Beethoven’s 9th at Carnegie Hall. While my D. was there, they did an orchestral tour of Sicily and, I think, Costa Rica. One rehearsal plus one sectional a week - violins in high demand (flutes, not so much!) There are also paid gigs that some of the members do alongside community members for large events (they did a huge Verdi Requiem several years ago.) Really advanced players also join the Springfield Symphony. There are lots of other orchestras and events within the 5-college system, and many Smith music students also become interns at Tanglewood. No, it is NOT Yale. </p>
<p>As for science, STRIDE scholars get paid research assistantships for the first two years (as well as four-year scholarships). Smith is a national center for genomics research, and has a massive new science and engineering building underwritten by Ford Motor Company. Check it out on their website.</p>