<p>I know that Barnard has a 5 year double degree program with the Julliard School (resulting in a BA from Barnard and a MM from Julliard), and the also has a cross-registration program with the Manhattan School of Music. </p>
<p>Music is a huge part of my life, and I am a very accomplished musician for my age. But I am also a very strong student, and want the experience and education from a LAC. So my question is this: does anybody know a Barnard student who has participated in any of these programs? If so, are the programs hard to balance with other school work? Also, would you recommend a specific person for me to contact at Barnard to learn more?</p>
<p>Yes, I do know someone who tried. You need to be accepted into both programs. If not, you can still take lessons at Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music.</p>
<p>A friend of D's tried it and had difficulty but she was pre-med. A smaller, more congenial major might make it easier, but Juilliard is not that close to Barnard. Manhattan School of Music is much closer.</p>
<p>I would contact someone in the music department, probably the chair.</p>
<p>My D was accepted into Barnard this year and had spoken to the music chair about these programs. Very, very few students make it into both programs and even fewer make it through the program. Don't quote me here, but I believe it was like one or two students in the last 6 years who actually got the double degree.</p>
<p>As for music in general, the music program in Barnard is NOT performance based. Some students can receive lessons for free if they pass the audition to qualify, but we were unable to count on that as a certainty, even though my daughter is an excellent vocalist. We got vague answers as to who actually gets lessons (the pool is from both Columbia and Barnard) and we couldn't really ascertain how many freshman rec'd these lessons. In the end D decided not to gamble and is attending NYU as a vocal performance major (BM degree) with the thought of double majoring.</p>
<p>My D is a student in the Barnard-MSM Lesson Exchange Program. She also had an extensive performance background prior to coming to Barnard and considered going the conservatory route. As far as my knowledge of these special programs: It is extraordinarily difficult to be accepted into the Juilliard BA/MM program. The lessons programs at Juilliard and MSM are also extremely competitive and acceptance is by audition (the same audition process that the Juilliard and MSM applicants go through). I believe that MSM may accept a larger number of students for the lesson exchange (although it is a small group); this program is only available for instrumentalists. There are some threads about the Juilliard/Columbia/Barnard connection and the Barnard/MSM connection on the Music Majors Forum.</p>
<p>My D has been very happy with her teacher at MSM. The downside of the program is that you are still on your own for ensembles. D has played with the Columbia Orchestra, but there are rotating seats and she was disappointed about the amount of time she got to play. There are a number of other Columbia/Barnard ensembles that vary in their musical focus and in the caliber of musicians.
Hope this helps.</p>