<p>I play the viola and was wondering how you would rate the music programs (particularly orchestra and small chamber ensembles) at the following schools: (Or any boarding schools at all!)
St. Paul's
Exeter
Andover</p>
<p>They're all pretty good. If you go to youtube.com and type in phillips exeter, you will be able to find a video of the string ensemble!</p>
<p>Choate has an amazing music/dance/arts program.</p>
<p>I have always been extremely impressed with NMH's music program. I have the CD's of Christmas Vespers for the past 6 years and they are amonst my favorites.</p>
<p>keylyme,</p>
<p>I take it that NMH sells their CD's through their store. Do they have an online store where abkatdance might acquire a CD? And abkatdance might look at the school store sites at the other schools to see if the sell CDs. A good side by side listening comparison will tell you the level of the musicians at the schools. </p>
<p>As to the instruction, that is more of a thing you need to network to find out. Finding instructors who mesh well with you is a make or break thing and everyone is different.</p>
<p>BTW, I am a violist as well. Haven't played in a few years (was too busy traveling with goaliedaughter). I do remember all the viola jokes, though. LOL</p>
<p>I think sometimes sell them at the store, but I looked recently to replace my favorite (1999) and they weren't listed online. Maybe they are available at the store though; she could call and ask. Usually there is an order form in the Vespers Program. We attend every year; they have an on-campus Vespers in mid-December and an off-campus version which varies in location (Boston last year).</p>
<p>choate has by far the best music program in the BS circle- hands down</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments: I ask about Exeter especially- I have heard some mixed reviews about the chamber music there. Does anyone have any specific knowledge of orchestra/chamber orchestra at PEA???</p>
<p><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=U77CzJcmu2M%5B/url%5D">http://youtube.com/watch?v=U77CzJcmu2M</a></p>
<p>an Exeter string performance...</p>
<p>Chamber music really depends on the people who are in your group and also the instructor (there isn't just one instructor for Chamber Music). Some groups will rehearse twice or three times a week whereas some people in certain groups may only show up to two thirds of the required rehearsals (which is once a week). But you can request groups, so if you know other dedicated musicians, you can all have a better experience.
I'm in both symphony and chamber orchestra... it's fun :)
you can message/email me if you have questions (i dont always check CC)</p>
<p>Andover - band, orchestra, chorus, chamber music, student recitals, music theory classes, all absolutely top notch.</p>
<p>that youtube link is the symphony orchestra... so not just string... you can hear the flutes/oboes/horn/etc... not that it matters much lol.</p>
<p>LOL oh...I didn't listen to it all that much. my bad...lol</p>
<p>How about jazz ensembles? Any schools that have good ones?</p>
<p>frankly, when i was visiting choate, their music program blew me away, but in order to take advantage of it, you would have to "major" in music (music instead of sports), which wasn't something that appealed to me.</p>
<p>i'm currently a cellist at exeter (^.^ i sit behind tuesdayair!). the violins are very strong, the cellos are at a pretty good level, but we're a little thin with the violas (abkat, you might use this to your advantage ^.^). still, we play from a variety of great pieces, so it's fun. oh</p>
<p>in addition to chamber music groups, a good amount of kids choose to participate in new hamp. all-states, so that's also an option. </p>
<p>exeter and andover are due to play together this term, so i'll let you know how we compare.</p>
<p>and chunkyT, exeter's got a fairly big jazz group (stage band), and my friends tell me its a lot of fun, mostly improv.</p>
<p>Blee, how do you like Exeter? Is the work overwhelming or comparable to other peer schools, do you think? I always got the impression that it was a grind school.</p>
<p>umm well for me, i chose exeter because of harkness, and i love it because of that. the discussion style makes learning a lot easier for me, so the work isn't too overwhelming. but harkness isn't for everybody. </p>
<p>from what i hear of other schools, it does seem like exeter has more work, but it all depends on the student. there are a lot of kids who spend insane amounts of time on homework and extracurriculars, while there are kids who have plenty of free time. lol and of course, everyone is always trying to get good grades. but i think as long as you aren't pressured into working too much, you can have an incredible time here.</p>
<p>Andover music:</p>
<p>*top ranked AP music course in America
*proximity to regional-orchestras/competitions
*option of cross-registering for Saturday classes at the New England Conservatory
*opportunity to perform with such virtuosos as Wynton Marseiles and Yo-yo Ma.</p>
<p>You can't go wrong!</p>
<p>isnt it the AP music theory course the best in america? not ap music (is there such thing as that??)</p>
<p>Well, the only AP music ANYTHING is theory.</p>
<p>So, I figured people would understand AP music to mean AP music theory.</p>