My son, is a drummer and wants to continue learning and playing but does not want to major in music. He thinks he may want to study science in college. He’s looking for a college that will allow him to continue his jazz drumming while studying science. He is an honors student, unweighted GPA 3.9 and current ACT 30. Suggestions of schools Midwest or not would be great!
Large or small preference? Many small liberal arts colleges have active Music departments with a variety of ensembles which are open to non-majors. In the midwest, Lawrence in WI, of course, has the Conservatory but opens auditions for all ensembles to all students, not just Con students. My kid met percussion faculty member there and was very impressed. Knox was another gem, where the Jazz prof spent a long time talking with him about opportunities, plus the music facilities are being upgraded after completion of the new Visual Arts building. Kenyon and Denison also have very active ensemble opportunities, and Denison is building its new music and performing arts building, so those facilities should be great. Oberlin for a non-Con kid has fewer formal opportunities, as Con auditions are not open to non-Con kids, though I imagine the informal opportunities of students putting together their own groups are plenty. We know a drummer at Depauw who has been very happy with the opportunities. Cincinnati has a superb percussion program, but I’m guessing not a lot of opportunities for the non-major.
Schools have a range of policies regarding lesson fees and ensembles – private lessons are usually 1 credit and may cost between $500-800 a semester. Some of the schools we talked to indicated that, if a non-major is in an ensemble, the private lesson fees are waived. Others said there were scholarship programs which covered those fees.