Hi everyone, I posted on other forums asking about music programs at relatively small schools on the east coast. I was wondering, what it the music scene like at Williams, and how does it compare to the music program at Tufts other LACs like Middlebury and Bowdoin? I play viola and I’m looking for some schools with a strong music presence and a good orchestra. I would also like to play in various chamber ensembles as well. I have looked at oberlin but I’m not planning on applying to the con and I’m not planning on majoring in music either, so what’s my best option for strong academics as well as a strong music program at an east coast school?
If you have any other suggestions for other schools with strong music programs please tell me! I’m a junior in CA still deciding what schools to apply to.
Thanks!
Williams has an orchestra nearby called the Berkshire Symphony. It’s half student musicians, half professional musicians, and is absolutely top-notch quality. Lessons at Williams are free, and, while the music department isn’t gigantic, the facilities are great and the professors - just like the rest of the college - are wonderful as well. I play music in bands and stuff, so I’m pretty well-versed with the programs. I can’t speak to the programs at other schools, but Williams really doesn’t leave much to be desired in the music department.
The only negative is that the venues aren’t that varied, but that’s not as big of a problem for the Symphony, which tends to play around the whole area.
Williams definitely has a stronger music department than Middlebury (see article below). I actually cut Middlebury from my college list since I didn’t think they had an orchestra anymore.
http://middleburycampus.com/article/orchestra-numbers-plummet/