<p>This is directed at parents/ alumni familiar with colleges with music conservatorys. My son has a great love of classical music, and is interested in colleges such as Oberlin/ Rice/ Johns Hopkins because of their great music programs. He is specifically interested in taking musicology/theory classes. But he is probably going to be a biology/ geology major, with possibly a music minor. Do Oberlin, Rice, JHU etc. allow non-music majors access to upperdivision music classes in their conservatorys? FYI, he probably would qualify for admitance to those colleges, as his SAT's and SAT II's all are in the upper 750's. But he does not want to limit himself by applying as a music major.</p>
<p>Im pretty sure oberlin lets other students take courses in the Con. especially non performance classes like theory. they have a program called timara also... its an acronym for technology in music something something... for some cutting edge emerging music something.... they also will consider arts and letters students to switch to conservatory later.... im really not much help am i ... you should contact them <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/con/%5B/url%5D">http://www.oberlin.edu/con/</a></p>
<p>I believe that with most of them (Oberlin is the one I am most familiar with, as my son applied there.), non-music majors can take most courses at the conservatory, but majors get first choice. This may sometimes (frequently, I have heard) mean that classes fill up with music majors, thus not having any room for the non-majors.</p>
<p>He might also want to take a look at Lawrence U and St. Olaf. Both have strongscience programs, and excellent music programs (Lawrence has a convervatory) and many non-majors take advanced music courses at both schools.</p>
<p>I know you can take theory and music history at Rice as a non-major. I'll check with D and get more info for you.</p>
<p>Thanks to all who replied! Momofwildchild, we are very interested in hearing about the availability of music classes at Rice. My son will be visiting Rice in Oct.</p>
<p>JHU students can take some classes at Peabody as part of their distribution credits. There is also a possibilty for dual-majors (requiring acceptance at both institutions, including auditioning at Peabody), and a Music minor for JHU students. From the</a> Peabody website: (Note: Krieger School of Arts and Sciences is JHU.)</p>
<p>"The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences offers a Music minor for students who have some training and background in music and wish to pursue their interest in a systematic way without getting their degree in the field. It consists of a selection of music courses, including music history, theory, ensembles and/or lessons. Students interested in the music minor should contact the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences--not the Peabody Conservatory."</p>
<p>Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music allows you to take classes and also to audition for the Vanderbilt Symphony or chamber groups. They are also building a handsome new venue on the riverfront in Nashville for the Nashville Symphony Orhestra...they love classical music in Nashville and the faculty is excellent. Science is a strength and there are few lab assts and mainly courses taught only by Full Profs. You can ID self as a Peabody, Blair or Arts and Sciences Major or as an Engineering student but cross enroll. Compact campus although Blair is a bit of a walk, bike ride from the otherwise tight campus in the middle of an great part of downtown Nashville. Everyone plays Nashville so the arts are very vibrant there.</p>
<p>Rice- Yes, there are theory and music history classes (maybe others, too) open for non-majors. Depending on your level, you might be in a class with majors.</p>
<p>I don't know how music classes work, but i took upper level art courses at my school without being an art major. you just have to make sure you meet the prereq's and whatnot.</p>