<p>I am a percussionist interested in jazz, composition/songwriting, and electronic music production. I want 50% of my studies to be music and 50% studio art (maybe graphic design) and liberal arts.</p>
<p>I know Bates to be popular for its great range of music opportunity. However, I am unsure of the strength of the musicians and faculty there. I’m not positive I’ll be content with the level of electronic music equipment.</p>
<p>Also how are the studio arts there? Graphic design, screen printing, painting?</p>
<p>I am also highly considering Oberlin and Wesleyan Univ.</p>
<p>The arts are a huge deal at Bates. </p>
<p>Music I can tell you a lot more about, since one of my majors was Music. The department is small but strong. There is an orchestra, jazz band, choir, gamelan ensemble, etc. A HUGE deal on campus is the a cappella groups. They’re super popular and very good. (We have five a cappella groups on our tiny campus) I’m not sure if you’re interested in formal music, or more informal stuff (like a rock band, etc). I was in two student bands at Bates and I had a lot of fun. There’s a group called the Bates Musicians Union which gets money to buy gear and has a practice space on campus for anyone to use for band practice. </p>
<p>It’s a small program though. You don’t have the resources of a big school or probably Oberlin, which has the famous conservatory. That being said, there are a lot of great musicians for such a small school. You just may not have as many as you’d like. I love the faculty in the music department. </p>
<p>I don’t know much about the equipment for electronic music, but it definitely exists. Bill Matthews, one of the professors, is a big time electronic music composer and teaches classes in that subject and composition. You could email him about the facilities available. [William</a> Matthews | Music | Bates College](<a href=“http://www.bates.edu/music/faculty/william-matthews/]William”>http://www.bates.edu/music/faculty/william-matthews/) </p>
<p>Feel free to ask more detailed questions, I kinda wrote this in a rush.</p>