From Texas, looking at SLACs

My junior daughter is interested in continuing music in college. She plays clarinet (looking at 3 years all-state), alto sax in the jazz band, and has ensemble experience on the tenor sax as well. She wants a small college, and wants to stay involved in ensembles and possibly get a BA in music. She has put some pretty hard limits on how far she’s willing to go from our home base in South-central Texas. So, we’ve got Trinity, Southwestern, Austin College, and Agnes Scott (short flight) on our list. She is sitting at about 18th percentile for class rank so Rice is out. Anyway, my question… will these schools, not generally known for music, be disappointing to her in terms of what they have to offer? From what little I can find of performances on YouTube, I’m concerned the ensembles may be at or below what she’s doing right now in her very strong high school program and she won’t be challenged. But maybe I’m totally off-base.

Just wanted to add… we have family in the Twin Cities so if I need to push that, I can. She has seen Macalester (liked it) and Lawrence seems like a perfect for her. I just don’t know how serious she is about staying close (most kids from our HS stay nearby, so going OOS is a foreign concept) and how to balance that out with her desire to continue music.

What about Loyola in New Orleans (I’ve heard they are quite good for jazz) or St Olaf near the twin cities (maybe not jazz so much but quite good in music and at least near your family). Is she interested in music performance, music education, composition… ? My niece from Houston is doing music education at St Olaf and applied there, Baylor, and U of Houston, fwiw.

She has no idea what she wants to do. It has been a difficult process getting her to think about this at all, which is why I want her to look at a school where she can do everything and keep her options open until she gets it figured out. I’m definitely aware of St. Olaf, but know nothing about Loyola. I’ll check it out. Thanks!

Maybe consider SMU and Oklahoma City University, as well, if they are not too far afield???

Other LAC’s that are not too far away are Rhodes, Belmont, Hendrix, and Centenary. If she is willing to look at a University, maybe SMU, TCU or Tulane. Check out the other Colleges that Change Lives schools to see if any of them interest her.

SMU is too preppy/white/Greek/conserbpvative, but I know they are working hard to reverse that image. May be worth looking at. I’ll see about Oklahoma City.

Thanks all. I appreciate the suggestions. I guess the question I’m really looking to answer is, how do we know what level these non-music focused schools are at? Should I assume it’s going to be iffy if they don’t tout their music program, or if the YouTube videos I can find online are not terribly impressive? Is mediocre to be expected at most SLACs bevause they don’t have enough musicians to fill out a group? If she wants high level, competitive music, does she need to go to a larger school or a conservatory?

Luther College in Decorah, IA is another very good liberal arts school with a fantastic music program! You should also check out the University of MN!

UTulsa? They really like their musicians, and Tulsa has direct flights from most Texas cities.

" If she wants high level, competitive music, does she need to go to a larger school or a conservatory?" Not necessarily larger or a Conservatory, but definitely you will need to carefully research the competitiveness/level or the music program at each school (and I say this knowing how difficult it is to do this! Ugh.). This is subjective and also sometimes instrument/genre specific… I would chat with her private teacher, and any other music professionals who know your D and her playing, right away about programs that might tick all your boxes! And if a Jazz (rather than Classical) emphasis is important to you, this changes things up, as well. Sometimes, a small, local LAC can have a pretty terrific and unique program, and locals will be more privy to this information!

@cschpu knows a lot about music programs at smaller Texas schools. Try DM’ing her.

You mentioned that you’re already aware of St. Olaf, but just a few words of praise from a happy St O family… my D has found it to be a great place for students who love music, but want to keep their options open to other majors. There’s a good international vibe (12% of a recent class is international), a strong BA major in music, plus a huge number of non-music majors who participate in top-level music ensembles. Great merit scholarships for academically strong students like your D, too. It’s a religion-affiliated school, but many non- religious, as well as atheist students attend — it definitely appeals to a wide variety of kids. My D loves it there!

Seconding Loyola-NO. My D goes there. Started as a music industry major. She’s changed majors but their music offerings are very good and there are lots of music opportunities.

They offer merit scholarships. It’s a pretty diverse school with a laid back vibe. Or “chill” as she said after her first visit.

Thank you so much everyone! You’ve put some schools on my radar I wasn’t aware of before. Or that I was, and need to put more time into exploring.

Sapranomom, I will definitely talk to her teachers and private instructor. They may be more aware of regional schools with a good music rep. If you feel like elaborating on how you were able to evaluate level of teaching/talent at colleges you visited, I’m all ears.