Music at Prep Schools

Which prep schools have the best environments to continue music at an advanced level?

Hotchkiss had winners in this year’s Music Teachers National Association competition in CT in piano, winds (flute) and strings with 2nd prize in piano and woodwinds as well. It is an unbelievable program… Choate is very strong and has the option of an arts intensive course. Kent has a new music wing and has been putting more emphasis and resources behind their program in recent years. I am sure that there are strong programs at some of the Northern New England schools but I am not familiar with them.

Interlochen and Idyllwild…

If you’re a serious musician, Hotchkiss is a great place to be! Over a dozen current Hotchkiss students just had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall, which is slated to become an annual tradition. And the school just announced that it has received a major gift from an alumnus to further enhance the music program, which is being used to create a philharmonic orchestra, endow a chair for the head of the music program, and create a need-based scholarship fund for exceptional musicians and artists. The school already has a phenomenal student orchestra (you can listen to some of their concerts on the school’s website), but the new philharmonic orchestra will give students the chance to perform along with professional musicians, including guest conductors and soloists. Students also often have the opportunity to travel and perform abroad during school breaks – including trips to Florence and Spain in the summer.

I would like to ask about the music program at Andover. I’m revisiting soon, but I was wondering if there were any benefits with it being close to the Boston area? How are the teachers and resources? Sorry for bothering yall, and thanks for any replies!

@oli_fuzzypanda , definitely schedule time in advance to talk to the head of the instrumental program during your revisit about this.

I know that at our school (not Andover), a handful of (truly elite, not simply good) musicians participated in programs in the nearby city with the support of the school as well as in school programs. BUT it may be that outside of field trips, everything you need will be at Andover. At our school, the instruction, even for kids who were not particularly advanced, was excellent (and probably inaccessible had it not been through the school.)

As a current music student at Hotchkiss, there are incredible resources here if you want to play at advanced level. Some of my best friends are very advanced musicians and the facilities here are just incredible to be able to play music in. The music wing here overlooks the lake and it’s absolutely incredible. There are also many opportunities to be able to play school-wide and many serious musicians are well-respected here.

Sadly, I didn’t apply to Hotchkiss, which I am regretting a bit now. It really sucks, because I recall talking to the director who reviewed CDB files. I should have applied, as piano (music) is one of my greatest passions. However, I may not have gotten in either way :P.
@gardenstategal which school do you go to, if I may ask? Thanks for your response!

@oli_fuzzypanda, my child went to George (near Philadelphia). It’s known more for its theater than its instrumental music, but there was some exceptional talent there that was pretty plugged into programs for kids at their level. Several stayed in the Philly area for college to stay connected to their teachers and those ensembles.

I attended the Carnegie Hall recital. What an amazing group of young talent.