<p>Well, I was wondering if any other incoming students here received an email from the music department, being recognized as "one of our top applicants." </p>
<p>I might decide to audition for private classes in the fall, but that just seems a little too ambitious at this point, with 4.5 credit courses already... So I don't know. Anyone else thinking about starting lessons as soon as we arrive?</p>
<p>I got that too...I didn't remember I had sent in a music tape before that. I'll probably try lessons after I get used to college life, but not right away.</p>
<p>I will pipe in here. My son is in the orchestra and is a non music major with no major talent or ambition to develop into a competitive performer. He is the kind of person who looks forward to their two rehearsals a week because Duke has many good players and kids who took lessons for many years and it is a congenial group. He took private lessons (You can choose short or long) while he was a freshman because of the privilege of taking lessons from a member of the Ciompi Quartet AND because it is such a piece of cake to stroll over the Baldwin when you already live on East...about the equivalent of stepping out your front door of your dorm and walking across the little quad. He greatly enjoyed his teacher, and frankly probably would have been too excited as a freshman to practice much at all but for his wish to not look like a total slacker once a week with a teacher of great talent. His teacher was very congenial. My S did not pursue lessons sophomore year, where he did get sidetracked into new activities..and would also have to take a bus to get to East..
so moral of the story. If you are toying with taking lessons while at Duke, consider freshman year as an Easy season where the Music Dept is conveniently located out your freshman front door. It gets actually a bit harder to come back as you move on to life on West. Also, we met with the entire Ciompi Quartet group on drop in days..and they are all quite charming as individuals and understand that most Duke students are not conservatory quality players. There is a fun competition for the "best" once a year and a featured guest appearance by the winner each spring, so it is fun to see those Duke students who are advanced shine.
I would venture to say that his friendly relationship with his Ciompi Quartet teacher is one among the ways he has turned Duke into a warm, intimate school more similar to a liberal arts experience. As a freshman, you should also look to experiences where you can find time with full professors in every field as your four years will pass quickly. My son attends Ciompi Quartet performances whenever he can and truly admires his teacher, even though he will probably only take lessons for half the semesters he is enrolled at Duke due to other interests.
I was happy to read today that Duke has promoted the head of the Music Dept to Dean status for the arts program across the board at Duke. They have phenomenal guest artists..truly great artists visit Duke in Great Performance Series...and this has been greatly rewarding for my son, and is one of the things Duke does best.</p>
<p>Can you comment at all on storage for instruments for non-music major students? Was your son able to secure a locker of some sort in the music building?</p>
<p>yes..he keeps his instrument 24/7 in a locker in the building which I believe is attached or right next to Baldwin and has practice rooms. He practices there sometimes, but he can basically get by in the orchestra with two long evening rehearsals a week pretty well. He loves orchestra..they take a spring trip each year to the Beaufort, SC area and perform a benefit for the Duke Cancer Center down there. Many Duke grads put up the orchestra kids and they feel very appreciated plus it is beautiful there on the coast. The students all love Conductor Davidson who is on a first name basis with everyone.</p>