Music Major at Carleton?

<p>Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew anything about music majors at Carleton, specifically vocal performance. I don't want to do a music history major but specifically a performance major. My dad told me to look into Carleton because my great grandparents went there and were really distinguished alumni and also it's a great liberal arts college, but I don't want to apply unless I know that Carleton has what I'm looking for. If anyone knows anything about the music at Carleton, please let me know!
Also, how feasible is it to get to Minneapolis from Carleton? Do students go often, or not at all? I have several friends who go to the U of M and I'd really like to visit them there. I searched the directions on google maps and it said it was a 57 minute journey, but does anyone know differently? (I know that sometimes google maps can be deceptive and the actual distance is more) Is there any type of public transportation between Carleton and the twin cities?</p>

<p>I know a bit - my daughter is planning on declaring music. There are currently 5 senior majors and 11 juniors. In addition, hundreds of students take music lessons and participate in various vocal and instrumental groups. You can focus on performance, music history and literature, theory, non-Western music, or composition and comps (sr thesis) is a research paper or a lecture/performance or original composition accompanied by a related paper. There are many options for vocal performance including half a dozen for credit course options (choir, jazz ensemble…) and another half dozen student groups (a capella, barbershop…)
I generally hear folks say the Twin Cities are about 45 minutes away There’s a bus company, Northfield Lines, that runs regular service with 4 RT buses M-Th; 5 RT on Friday; 3 Rt on Sat and 2 Rt on Sun. ([Northfield</a> Lines - We’re The DRIVE Behind Worry-Free Travel!](<a href=“http://www.northfieldlines.com%5DNorthfield”>http://www.northfieldlines.com)). The busses go from Carleton and make stops at the airport, Downtown Mpls, and the U of M.</p>

<p>thanks so much bingle! Do you know how competitive it is? Is there an audition?</p>

<p>I’ve heard that St. Olaf has a great choral/vocal department, are there ways to take voice there while attending Carleton?</p>

<p>^Not that I know of, but my (Carleton) voice teacher also teaches at Olaf.</p>

<p>Oh, okay. Do you do classical repertoire in your voice lessons? What do you think of them?</p>

<p>I’m considering applying to Boston U, Carnegie Mellon and Rice for voice as well and these are really competitive programs, I know they’re probably on different levels but could anyone say how the Carleton program compares?</p>

<p>I know there are auditions for certain choral groups (for credit or not); others you just sign up for (if for credit) or join (if they’re student run). No auditions for lessons, just sign up and pay.<br>
WRT cross-registering at St Olaf, the biggest issue is the different schedules. However, for private lessons there may be more flexability. OTOH, if you have mflevity’s prof, you get the same lesson without any hassle.</p>

<p>Sorry I can’t speak comparatively with other schools.</p>

<p>I do, but it depends on the individual student. Since students at all levels from beginning to advanced take voice lessons, there’s going to be a big variety in the difficulty of repertoire. I think most of the teachers also have a bit of flexibility when it comes to music selection–at the performance classes, I’ve heard everything from Japanese folk songs to Italian arias to belted musical theater pieces. </p>

<p>Since (to the extent of my knowledge) the schools you’ve named are conservatories, you might want to look in the music major forum to learn more about the difference between BA and BFA programs.</p>

<p>Also, if you’d be willing to PM me with some basic information about yourself, I’d be happy to put you in touch with a Carleton student who chose Carleton over acceptances to some top-notch music schools for voice.</p>

<p>thanks so much for all your help mflevity!</p>