I haven’t been accepted yet, but I got a likely letter a few days ago. I applied for music composition. I know Columbia is one of the best grad schools for music composition in the country, but I’m wondering how it shapes up in terms of undergraduate. Are there a lot of musicians there? Will I be able to get my pieces played? How easy is it to build relationships with faculty members? For that matter, how easy is it to build relationships with independent new music organizations in New York?
I suspect most people won’t be able to provide definitive answers (even the couple faculty members I talked to were unsure, although they were new), but if anyone has any idea, I’d love some info.
Not a music student here, but a huge music fan (think of all the biggest indie or avant-garde artists). The music community at Columbia has been amazing. There are two radio stations, one at Barnard and one at Columbia, that focus on different things. Multiple orchestras, a ton of student indie bands and people are active in the music community of New York. I know of a student who works at the Lincoln Center. I don’t know much about the academics but I do know that there is a historic research building called the Computer Music Center, in which you can take classes on the creation/process of digital music (though getting in is probably competitive). There are multiple on-campus music venues every month that host local and student talent, and musicians and alumni perform in the city, as far as I can tell. Plus our musical history has Vampire Weekend, a member of Animal Collective, a member of OK Go, and frontman of Fleet Foxes currently attends!
Oh and there are two music schools nearby (Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard) and there’s a competitive exchange program with Juilliard with some of the most talented classically trained musicians in the country.
@Tshiknn, first of all, congratulations on your likely letter from Columbia! My son is very involved in the jazz program at Columbia, has many musician friends at the school, and has found it to be a very good environment for music. It doesn’t have the depth of music resources that you’d find at a conservatory, but I think it’s quite good for a non-conservatory setting. And there is no doubt that the Columbia-Juilliard program attracts some amazing musicians to the school.
On the jazz side of the house, my son has developed very good relationships with faculty, performs regularly, and has found avenues for his compositions to be performed (and recorded) at the school. He had no trouble getting permission to take a graduate level jazz composition and arranging course. He has also made extensive use of the music resources in NYC outside of Columbia. I think it may be easier to access music resources outside Columbia on the jazz side than on the classical side, though I know of at least one organization - the New York Youth Symphony - that provides some wonderful opportunities for young musicians in the city.
I should probably offer the caveat that I don’t know as much about the classical music program at Columbia as about the jazz program, and some posters over in the music major forum (which is where I usually hang out when I’m on this site) have told me that Columbia is noted for its jazz program and that the experience on the jazz side isn’t necessarily applicable to the classical music program. That may well be right, but I will say that I went to a recital last fall of classical musicians in the Columbia-Juilliard program and they really were extraordinary. I will also say that my son has absolutely loved the overall experience at Columbia, not just the music.
Your best bet, if you can do it, would be to visit and spend some time talking with student musicians and music faculty about their experiences. Good luck in making your decision!
Thanks for the responses! It’s true that the world of classical music is pretty different from jazz/indie rock, but I’d expect that the experiences still hold - the big question is whether, at the end of it all, I can get into a great grad school (Columbia has one of the top grad programs in the country, but isn’t quite as well-known for its undergrad program). When I visit, I’ll be sure to talk to as many faculty members and students as possible.
The only potential problem that might arise with the Columbia-Juilliard students is whether or not they’d be too busy to work with a composer. At conservatories, you have the chance to get together with some of your musician friends and jam / see what works in compositions. I’m trying to figure out if that’s the case at Columbia. I’ll see during my visit - thanks for all your help!