Music Departments- Middlebury vs. Williams

<p>(Also posted to the Williams forum)</p>

<p>Hi Everyone,</p>

<p>I'm psyched to have been accepted at both my top choices! Now comes the hard part: deciding between Williams and Middlebury. </p>

<p>I don't plan to major in music, but I'm a serious musician and I know that the musical opportunities at Williams and Midd will play a part in my decision. I compose in contemporary style and not-so-contemporary, and I definitely want to play cello in an orchestra. I'd also like to have some fun with chamber music- string jazz, anyone?</p>

<p>What do you think about the two music departments? Has anyone out there been involved with both?</p>

<p>Is there a fiddle scene at either school?</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>CelloErgoSum</p>

<p>Ok, so I’m not entirelyy sure, but based on the quality of Williams’ theater program, I suspect their music program is probably pretty strong (obviously that’s not an entirely logical assumption). However, I know there is in fact a big fiddle scene at Midd. The old website used to have a student profile raving about her involvement in the fiddle scene. You may still be able to find that profile somewhere on the new website.</p>

<p>I have heard great things about a music professor named Su Lian Tan who is a composer (and flute player). A CD of her work just came out. Are you going to admitted student days? Maybe you could meet with her. When we visited Midd last year there was a concert which I missed by the winners of a chamber music competition sponsored by President Liebowitz’ wife somehow. I understand that she and her husband are big music supporters.</p>

<p>I can’t speak at all for the Williams program, but I do know a bit about Midd’s. The music program at Midd is geared more toward music composition and theory than performance for people who major in it. That being said, and since you are not particularly interested in majoring, the department offers plenty of opportunities for performance. I played in the orchestra all four years that I attended (except when studying abroad, obviously). The conductor left last year, so there is a new conductor, and I think that he’s still getting the hang of things, but things seem to being improving from his first semester. I will say, though, that when the department was looking for a new conductor, it was very important for them to hear what members of the orchestra thought about the candidates, and we had a great deal of input in the decision, which I think is important when considering a college. You want your voice to be heard, and it definitely will at Midd. </p>

<p>There are also a lot of chamber music opportunities. You can easily put together your own group and get faculty coaching. There is also a chamber music performance class that was started by Su (see above post). I took this class spring of my freshman year, and it was great. As a result of that class, I was invited to play with my ensemble for President Liebowitz and the trustees on a couple of occasions at his home. He is definitely very supportive of the arts. </p>

<p>Hope this was helpful.</p>