<p>I am interested in knowing more in this area, b/c I have heard nothing about it. Although CMU is a top school, is it like Vanderbilt, where the academics are great and so is the party life? I hope I am not trying to make it seem that I am only intrested in the party life, b/c that's simply not the case. Everything seems great at CMU, but I am trying to get more insight on this college. So, if there is anyone out there who is willing to answer my question, your advice would be greatly appreciated! :)</p>
<p>Also, how is the music/band at CMU? Does anyone ever see the band? How do people view the band?</p>
<p>I think the Kiltie Band (?) is just for fun and not musically competitive. However, I believe it is extremely competitive to participate in the orchestra and ensembles. From what I understand, they are geared toward music majors and graduate school music students.</p>
<p>If you are talented, CMU is really good at giving individual music students a chance to shine. They'll have you involved in EVERYTHING... if you're a music major, and especially if the instrument you play is somewhat obscure. There's the Pittsburgh Youth Orchestra, which is quite good, along with ensembles to go with pretty much everything the drama dept. puts on. Kiltie, on the other hand, seems to have much more of a sense of humor (I mean, kilts. Its adorable.) and I've known people to get in with pretty much no musical background, playing the more simple instruments, and also people with an exceptional amount of talent playing more complex things.</p>