<p>Hi guys, I'm a prospective Vassar student, and I'm wondering just how important music is at Vassar. I know there is a campus orchestra, but is there a decent music scene that I can participate in? Thanks!</p>
<p>Music is strong at Vassar. In October, the Vassar orchestra performed Brahm’s 2nd Symphony ‘complete’ after only four weeks of rehearsals to an enthusiastic packed concert hall filled with friends, faculty, parents, relatives and community people. It was awesome! Google Vassar music and listen to the webcasts. The jazz band and jazz ensembles are also great and frequently feature several jazz vocalists. The choral groups are excellent and the wind ensemble is great also. S1 played gigs twice a week in his campus band. The A-capella groups are fun and creative (there is a whistling group) and are featured at parents weekend. There is a strong chamber music program. Try to get to the campus to hear a concert or a rehearsal. That is what we did and S1 listened to the orchestra for only 5 minutes and he knew the music at Vassar was perfect for him. He was accepted to a well known conservatory and chose Vassar. There are many conservatory level musicians and also there are excellent music groups for all levels. This week alone is the chamber music concert, the jazz band and jazz ensembles concert and orchestra - those are concerts I know about… hope you can visit and hear for yourself.</p>
<p>I’d like to add that there are many bands and music groups that are not part of the curriculum, if that might be what you’re thinking about. Rock, jazz, etc. Every weekend there are bands playing. There are loads of musical students at Vassar who are not necessarily taking music courses.</p>
<p>We attended a Vassar swim meet last weekend and 6-7 members of the swim team sang the National Anthem in 4 part harmony before the meet started! How many college swim teams would have 6-7 swimmers that sing confidently enough to work up their own 4 part harmony traditional arrangement of the National Anthem? Of course, everyone loved it! </p>