<p>A friend of mine is considering going there and he is looking for as much info as possible.</p>
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<p>[Department</a> of Music :: Haverford College](<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/music/index.php]Department”>http://www.haverford.edu/music/index.php)
They also function as the music dept for Bryn Mawr, in the next town, but they are not really an “audition based” program, per se; the recorded submission is more to show “what you can do”. If a student is really serious about music, which I would think your friend might be from looking at your other posts, then Haverford would not be even on the radar screen for a school. They are excellent academically, though, so for a student who wants a first-class education from a very well-respected college and still wants the experience and cameraderie of playing in the school’s orchestra (not to mention a wonderful location!), it would be hard to beat.</p>
<p>I have a relative who was a music major at Haverford. She still plays for enjoyment but earns a living doing something else entirely. She enjoyed her time at the school, but I wouldn’t call it a “strong” music program.</p>
<p>It is a small department but the professors are fabulous, very well-respected, and generous, nurturing people.</p>
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<p>Music is a broad spectrum. It’s like saying science. What discipline (performance, education,composition, theory, musicology, etc.), instrument, projected career goals, current training and experiences all are necessary to formulate a reasoned reply. </p>
<p>Haverford may suffice for a casual interest, but is not normally mentioned as a school for high level undergrad music choices.</p>
<p>Haverford students who play at a high level can audition for the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra which accepts students 21 and under. I believe that Haverford shares a consortial arrangement with Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore (and Penn) and subsidizes private music lessons (so do Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore). There are some very good people on faculty, but none of the schools has conservatory level instruction (which is why they offer the subsidies to students who wish to continue their training in New York or Philadelphia; you would have to audition for that option, no guarantees)</p>
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<p>funfun–</p>
<p>The program is very, very strong for a top-ranked LAC. Although some posters may not be familar with the program, it does attract some students who could have gone to specialized music programs, bu who may also want a well-rounded LAC experience for an undergrad education. But, it’s obviously not a conservatory. </p>
<p>That said, plenty of alumni go on to make their careers in music and plenty of alumni go on to do something else (that’s the nature of a LAC education).</p>
<p>The depertment’s website is actually quite good. (See link above by Mezzo’sMama). The alumni news section has detailed information about the activities of former music majors. Many have gone on to top conservatories, Ph.D. programs, become performers, worked with nonprofits, etc.</p>
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<p>How is Haverford for vocal performance. Would it be a career-ending choice?</p>
<p>I grew up in the area and although I love the Main Line, there was no way that I would have even mentioned it to my D, a VP major, nor would her teacher. That does not mean that it woudn’t be impossible to link up with a great voice teacher in Philly or NYC, which is always an option. But remember, those lessons are not paid for in the tution bill. nor is the travel, and then there is the problem of securing a practice space… Haverford has a rigorous academic program which might not allow for the amount of time needed to pursue lessons elsewhere. There are so many reasons to look elsewhere for a school, but we need to know the level of your friend’s abillity, aspirations, etc, before any of us could really take this any further and offer much more assistance. At this point, it is too early to even speak of a “career”, especially since we have nothing to go on.</p>
<p>I think, though it should be investigated, Haverford, like Swarthmore, does subsidize private music lessons with non-Haverford faculty although auditions are required.</p>
<p>For voice, though, Mezzo, isn’t it true that training begins a bit later and it is possible to defer formal music studies while the voice matures?</p>
<p>stringkeymom, by the time one gets to college, it’s definitely time to be studying with a voice teacher. “Young Artists” programs only go up to the age of 30 (although 1 or 2 go to 34, I think), so if you wait until you are well into your 20s, the window of opportunity may have passed. Bad habits become ingrained and one has to find a teacher who will “look out” for you and make sure you are not, for instance, oversinging, everyday. Grad school is virtually a necessity too and the training in theory, aural skills and music history that are part of undergrad study need to be taken care of. As I said, there is no denying that Haverford has an excellent reputation, academically, but for a “serious” musician, look elsewhere.</p>