<p>I pretty much love this school, but I'm wondering about the intensity of a music program where no audition is required. Any current music majors/prospective majors thoughts?</p>
<p>I would be piano, by the way.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>although many people here will kill me for saying this, I think Emory is not known for its music program. And to be frank, i don't know why anyone would want to come here for music. Go to a well known conservatory, or Indiana U, Peabody school of music, oberlin college, eastman school of music, juliard, cleveland institute of music, rice university, new england conservatory, northwestern university,boston conservatory.....etc. There are so many schools to list before i can think of ......Emory.</p>
<p>i would also like to add that when you look at music programs, one should focus a lot more on the "faculties" that are there. For example, last year when i was looking at violin performance majors, i noticed there was a very well known teacher at the University of Oklahoma. Now most people would just turn their heads when the see "oklahoma". But it doesnt really matter if the school has low endowment or not, as long as the teacher is top notch. So maybe you could go to some music camps and get to know some professors? They could be from all over the place, and some of them aren't teaching at well known schools, but that doesnt matter cause the "teacher" is the most important person you should be looking at. Now Emory MIGHT have a well known piano professor right now. But typically, Emory is not known for thier music program, and the colleges i mentioned above typically do.</p>
<p>song_mage31, I have a distinctly different opinion from Betterday55...</p>
<p>A lot depends on what your interests are in music. Most of the institutions that Betterday55 cites are conservatory environments that are intended for students with a passionate focus on music, particularly if your intent is aimed toward performance. Some of the other schools, such as Rice (Shepherd School of Music), have a completely different orientation from what Emory is offering in its music programs, but this does not make it a lesser program necessarily – only different in its focus. Also, whereas the conservatories and schools that Betterday55 mentions are in fact excellent, they are also ultra competitive in order to win admission (i.e., schools such as Julliard and Curtis have acceptance rate that might be in the 5-9% range in some years.) As for the faculty, if you look at Emory’s music faculty, you will see many of them with educational credentials from Yale, Indiana, Michigan, and Northwestern Universities as well as a number from Eastman School of Music. More importantly, my experience with the faculty is that they are simply VERY passionate about music, and this translates well to the students.</p>
<p>If you say you love Emory, its appeal is no doubt in the breadth of its liberal arts tradition, and music at Emory is a part of this embodiment. Though one can certainly be a devoted and “serious” music student at Emory (and many music majors are), the emphasis is to provide a continuation of your interests in music while fully exploring everything else that may interest you. If indeed your interest (and passion) is solely in musical performance, then I would agree that Emory is not going to best serve this interest – although there are students who leave Emory with a degree in music and do pursue piano performance, for instance. On the other hand, if say you want to study music, continue performance activities, and study Journalism, then Emory’s music department has what you want.</p>
<p>My daughter is a good example of someone who was not yet ready to let go of her interests in music/piano, but neither was she wanting a conservatory environment or to be focused only on music. She has played piano since the age of 5 and has participated in well over 60 adjudicated piano competitions/festivals, including winning a number of competitions and state-level honors here in California. My daughter for the past 11 years was taught by an Indiana University-trained professional, and she has had multiple master classes from nationally-recognized performance professionals and conservatory faculty, as well as having done piano camps with acceptance by audition. She is now a freshman at Emory and walked in with an intended double-major that included music and taking a pre-med track courseload. Her double-major gave her free subsidized piano lessons. She eventually decided she could not maintain the double-major when scheduling for ensemble rehearsals, etc. came into a conflict with other classes. No doubt, it’s a difficult grind, and double-majors in music and another discipline routinely seem to be taking 20-24 units per semester term, compared to 16 units for most other students. Based on what I observed, and my conversations with those involved with music at Emory (including students), it can be very intense in its commitment. The opportunities for performance, including required ensemble performance for music majors, are great. For orchestral instrumentalists, the opportunities are even greater than for pianists, and for choral majors, the program is truly one of the best in the country. I have heard the Emory Symphony Orchestra, the Emory Wind Ensemble and the Concert Choir in performance, and I can say that they are all excellent. (As a bona fide, I can say that I have the good fortune to be able to attend world-class performances here in the San Francisco Bay Area.)</p>
<p>Incidentally, in order to be a music major (or double-major) at Emory, an audition is required. (My daughter auditioned via submitted CD during her senior year in H.S.) You can find information about it here: <a href="http://www.music.emory.edu/performance/aud.faq.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.music.emory.edu/performance/aud.faq.html</a></p>
<p>I am a professional-level jazz pianist and I am at emory right now. I must admit that overall the music department is quite dismal, although my teacher Gary Motley happens to be an incredible player. The reason I came here is for the sciences, because that is my other major, as well as the one that will provide me the best opportunity to go to medical school. So I suppose you just have to weigh your options.</p>
<p>-daniel</p>
<p>^^I really don't agree that the music department is dismal. I don't know about the jazz department, but I'm pretty familiar with the piano faculty. Thoreson, Gordy, and Ransom are all AMAZING.</p>
<p>ok fine i agree-let me narrow my opinion to the jazz dept :)</p>
<p>I have two incredibly brilliant friends (both are scholars) in the music program. One is in the choir, the other is in the orchestra. Both are double majoring and pre-med. They have repeatedly told me that the music program at Emory is great. I think anyone will readily admit that conservatories are better, but from what I have been told, Emory has one of the best music programs outside of that. My friends point to their world class instructors and the selectivity of the programs. I have only heard awesome things about the music program. Plus, they have the Schwarz Center!</p>
<p>Hello, I am currently in Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, which is conducted by Emory University Director of Bands Scott Stewart. I visit the Schwartz Center Every Monday for rehearsals. Although Emory's music program might not have the "prestige" factor like other renowned programs do, I can tell that Emory is working very hard to improve/expand its music program. </p>
<p>The conductor Scott Stewart is simply the best conductor I ever created my music with, period! The orchestra Conductor Dr.Prior is also one of the most friendliest guys you will ever meet. If you play the piano, you will have many opportunities to play under them. </p>
<p>You will be satisfied with Emory's music program :)</p>
<p>I know a girl which is amazing at orchestra which went to Emory for music...Not sure if its known for it or not.</p>
<p>It says on the website that if you're looking for a hardcore music study to consider going to a conservatory instead (<a href="http://www.music.emory.edu/degree/faq.under.html)%5B/url%5D">http://www.music.emory.edu/degree/faq.under.html)</a>. I think its more for people who have a passion for music and have a concentration in it, but have a main focus on academics ( and go on to grad school and such)</p>
<p>If you want to be a music major, you have to audition and be accepted into the program .. which is not probably ENORMOUSLY instensive, but I guess you do have to have some skill. </p>
<p>Try emailing Dr. Prior (the guy I've been talking to) cause thats where I'm getting all of my info from =]</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I am an international student and interested in BA in music with concentration in piano. Does anyone know if I will be able to receive courses such as music technology, music management, and private piano instruction?</p>
<p>Or something else about the music at Emory?</p>