<p>Hi, I'm a high school senior, and I LOVE U Chicago. SO much. There's just one thing I don't know enough about, and that's the music department. I play violin and I'm interested in composition. I might be pursuing a music major but I didn't want a conservatory because I'm also very interested in history, poli sci, etc. Would Chicago be a good place to study music if I chose to do so? Is there enough of a music scene for me to find like-minded people to play in a band/ensemble with if I wanted to? If anyone could comment on this I'd really appreciate it!</p>
<p>I would also like to get in on this information as well. I’m interested in continuing the clarinet in college.</p>
<p>UChicago is a GREAT environment for this. I was in the same boat when deciding to come here- I play the cello- and have been very pleased with the music scene here. While you won’t be able to major in music performance (our music degrees are more academically inclined- so, focusing in theory, history, composition, ethnomusicology, etc) there is a lot of opportunity to perform; we have many different ensembles that cater to a variety of different musical desires/levels. Wind ensemble, symphonic orchestra, chamber orchestra, new music ensemble, even a Middle Eastern music ensemble and a Javanese Gamelan ensemble (to name just a few). There’s a new and really interesting group on campus, the Student Composer Alliance, that also offers support to students interested in composition/getting a venue to play their new pieces.
Specifically, I’ve been involved as the principal cellist in the Chamber Orchestra, played once with the New Music ensemble, and play for the Student Composer alliance when they need cellists. I think the atmosphere is great- a lot of good musicians, not too huge of a time commitment, but definitely quality ensembles. Finding people to play with isn’t hard; some dorms even have designated “Jam Afternoons” where people get together randomly, or you can meet with friends to play around (or, more formally, join a chamber music group through the Music Department). There’s no requirement that you are a music major to be in any of the ensembles, which really takes the pressure off for students who want to participate in music and maybe take a few classes in the music department, but who don’t necessarily want to be in the major. The only real critique I can offer is that you’ll need to be aware of the constraint on private lessons: we don’t have a performance faculty, so you’ll need to organize/pay for your own lessons with someone in the Chicago area. There are lesson stipends available, and the music department has a list of good recommendations- this makes it a bit easier, but sometimes the workload of being a UChicago student can get in the way. I wasn’t able to keep up with my private lessons, but, on the other had, I do know students who have and make it a priority to fit them in to their schedule.</p>
<p>Thank you SO much for the substantial reply, this is really helpful, and quite encouraging as well! The Student Composer Alliance sounds great. I’m into a variety of styles of music, stuff like folk and gypsy, and I’m hoping to end up somewhere where I can find other similarly interested people.</p>
<p>Hi Grace,</p>
<p>I really love playing in orchestra (I play flute) and I was wondering how competitive the audition process is to be accepted to the group? I know that I play an over-represented instrument, but I would love to keep playing in college. Thanks!</p>
<p>and piano too, hehe thanks grace!</p>
<p>side-note-question: is max the only dorm with a piano in the basement? haha i kinda love that</p>
<p>Burton-Judson has two grand pianos in the dorm lounges, which are free of people at least in the mornings. There are usually people studying in them at night though, so if I play at night, I ask them first if it’s okay. Most people are fine with piano music while they study, but I save my clunky practice for the mornings when no one’s there. By the way, these lounges are absolutely beautiful and look more like ballrooms than dorm lounges.</p>
<p>There are also practice rooms with pianos in Goodspeed Hall, but I haven’t used these personally. I do always hear amazing people shredding the pianos in there when I walk by, which is one of the little things I love about UChicago.</p>
<p>Just to offer a different perspective / complain a little, the only reason I don’t like the UChicago music programs is that I’m not in a good position to be in any of the groups. I played saxophone for seven years in middle/high school, and then I switched to oboe for my senior year. My intention was to get good enough at oboe to play in a college orchestra, but I’m really not there. I don’t have an oboe of my own, and I’d have to have one to practice or take lessons. The UChicago music department, since it’s not performance-oriented, doesn’t really help me in this regard. </p>
<p>This really isn’t any fault of the music program, but I just need to be a bit more creative with what I do to satisfy my music cravings. So far, playing piano a few times a week has been enough. And it’s really great to have pianos in my building. Ideally, I’d magically conjure an oboe out of the abyss, and all of this would be solved. We’ll see.</p>
<p>As far as competitiveness of auditions go, it’s really hard to say until you just go for it. One of my close friends was really worried about his audition, but he ended up being the second chair for his section as a first-year. He is very talented, but it’s really not easy to tell how you’re going to perform against other UChicago students until you see the audition results.</p>
<p>If, as a woodwind, you aren’t good enough for the orchestra for example, do they try placing you in the wind ensemble? Or are there people who simply don’t get to play in a group?</p>
<p>D is s string player - good enough to have had a decent chair in HS in her local youth orchestra. She played in the U. Orchestra her first year, but not after that because she found the conductor to be an acquired taste that she did not acquire. (The conductor is flamboyant, to put it mildly - saw her conduct myself and she was downright distracting.)</p>
<p>Getting into the top orchestra is not that hard, it is even open to anyone in the community. The performance level is quite decent from an audience perspective (i.e. they played reasonably in tune with a tempo as consistent as the conductor would allow - see above). The level of playing in the other orchestras is a good cut below, so beware.</p>
<p>D decided to focus on chamber the rest of her time at UofC and had a decent time because she was able to hook up with other decent players. (One performance is on youtube. Send me a pm if you want to see it to judge playing level). The U supports chamber groups decently and schedules some performances, although the more ambitious groups take it upon themselves too. BTW, the groups cover a wide range of abilities, so they can be a good outlet for just about anyone. </p>
<p>Because the Chicago Symphony is in town, there are some pretty good chances for private instruction, sometimes subsidized by the U. Look on line for subsidy details. My D also got to know the players from the Pacifica Quartet, including some master classes by them. They are a great group, now in residence at the Met in NYC too.</p>
<p>Do most of the music teachers that students study with reside in Hyde Park? I just checked the website and they aren’t really clear… Thanks for all the responses everyone! :)</p>
<p>No. Students study with teachers throughout the Chicagoland area. For example, for two years at U of C I studied with a member of the Chicago Symphony who lives on the north side, and now I study with the bass teacher at Northwestern. It’s up to you to find a teacher if you can, but U of C will also help you find a teacher if need be. </p>
<p>Also, it should be noted that our dept is incredibly strong in music history, theory, ethnomusicology, and composition. A degree in music from the U of C is excellent preparation for graduate studies in music.</p>
<p>yeah, thanks! this is some really helpful stuff… so if say I wanted to start a new instrument, i’d have to acquire one myself, correct?</p>
<p>UChicagoPSAC could you tell me more about the Student Composers Alliance?</p>
<p>The Student Composer Alliance is a relatively new development on campus- I’m not involved from the composer side, but perform when they need a cellist- but basically it’s a club on campus where students who compose (whether in the major or just for fun) can get together to have an extra set of eyes on a piece they’re writing, get critique and feedback and a performance space full of like-minded other students.</p>
<p>D studied with a CSO violinst for two years. He lived in Wicker Park. She’d take public transit up there and head to a cafe for the rest of the day to study.</p>
<p>The only downside to having a CSO teacher is that they travel. </p>
<p>Oh yes, she found the teacher through the department. I think they’re pretty helpful in that regard.</p>
<p>Have you ever heard a piano tumbling down a long flight of stairs? That’s typically comparable to what you’ll hear coming out of Goodspeed’s windows</p>
<p>I totally disagree with that statement, IHateUofC. I had a class in Classics one quarter and there was always really great piano music to be heard on the walk to and from class. Besides, two of my friends play in the Jazz X-tet and they and their fellow musicians are really good. Now, perhaps you heard me trying to play the piano, in which case I would agree to the likening of that music to a piano crashing down a flight of stairs, as I am not in the least musically inclined. But then, I’ve never played at Goodspeed so I suppose I don’t subject others to my playing…</p>
<p>Maybe I was too harsh, but you have to get creative to find a good music group on campus.</p>
<p>To the OP, I suggest going to the first meeting of the Campus Sparticists when the school year starts. They’re an amazing musical ensemble at UChicago and will really teach you a lot.</p>