<p>I'm almost postitive there was a thread on this earlier, but I cannot, for the life of me, find it. </p>
<p>As you all already know, I'm looking into repeating junior year at boarding school. I really love my music, but, since there are only three arts schools in the nation, I figure it would probably be a good idea to have some non-arts schools on my list that still have strong music programs. </p>
<p>I know Loomis has a noted one, and for some reason I'm having a fleeting recolection of SPS and Groton have strong programs, but I'm not sure. </p>
<p>So, which schools have good programs that are not Interlochen, Walnut Hill or Idyllwild? </p>
<p>(I really thought there was already a thread like this... I'm sorry if there is.)</p>
<p>Middlesex has a long standing music tradition. Founder, Frederick Winsor, felt that music brought the students together and the school’s music opportunities was a distinguishing factor for us. MX has the traditional music (band, lessons, chorus, a capella), but has a flexible program that’s part of the student’s culture. Their philosophy is, “If you want to make music, we will help you, encourage you, and support you.” </p>
<p>Music brings students together throughout the year with performances, creating a close-knit community.</p>
<p>Hotchkiss has a wonderful music program. Our facilities are top notch and include rare instruments such as a fazioli piano. Our Elfers Hall has wonderful acoustics and numerous superb artists perform there. For instance in the past month we have had the conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra conduct a music piece and we had the Guarneri Quartet and the Dean of the Yale School of Music also come play… Some of our students play at Julliard on the weekends. If you are interested in Music I would highly recommend Hotchkiss. The music building is fantastic - one of the best for schools in New England no doubt.</p>
<p>NMH Orchestra and multiple select vocal groups are amazing. Be aware that being active in music at NMH will eat your life and suck up all your time. It is hard to be a 3.8/2200 student while also meeting sports requirements and the massive arts time requirements. This is probably true of any prep school with a strong program. You will have to make choices. </p>
<p>NMH website allows you to order cds of recent performances if you want to check out the music quality. Bach’s B minor Mass was performed at Christmas last year, and today the (non-audition) choir is doing Mendelson’s Elijah. And that’s just the chorus. The string sections of the orchestra are amazing, but I do some of the freshman would take “Dance for Athletes” to move the music and rhythm from their heads to thier bodies. </p>
<p>The new performing arts center is gorgeous (thank you Citibank). As at all schools, music/voice lesson are cash deals and not included in tuition.</p>
<p>Choate also has a nationally renowned music program. The chamber orchestra tours Europe or Asia every year. The jazz band sounds professionaly good. There is an Arts Concentration for the kids who want to spend their afternoons practicing the arts instead of sports. They are putting on a huge production of Les Miserables this spring.</p>
<p>Andover has a really awesome music program, if not the best (;. It has an amazing organ where I doubt you can find in any other Boarding school. I dont think SPS has a very strong orchestrial music program as I talked to the chair of the music department there and saw what kind of repertoire their orchestra plays and its what I played in 7th grade. They played Mock Morris this year while Andover played Tchaikosvsky… as you can see big difference.</p>