<p>Hi,
When I visited UPenn earlier this year, I walked by the music department building (it was brown), and honestly, it was rather unappealing.
I like Wharton a lot, but I’m hesistant about applying next year, because I plan on continuing playing piano in college (probably just as extracurricular, but it’s still a major part of my life) and am not sure how that would work out at UPenn.
I was hoping that someone could tell me more about UPenn’s music department. What kind of opportunities are available to double majors, minors, or just as extracurriculars? What kind of emphasis do they have- technical or performance? and do students often take private lessons?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Darn those bastard brown buildings.</p>
<p>The music department at Penn is good and getting better all the time. As for the facilities, there are new facilities for the Music Department on the top floor of Fisher Bennett Hall and the music building you described is scheduled for a complete overhaul that is supposed to start this summer. You can audition for private lessons paid for by Penn and don't have to be a major under the Music 10 course. There is also a program called Music in the College Houses where you can take lessons on a whole range of instruments, even sitar, subsidized by Penn. A new performing arts space for students is going to open this fall in Stouffer Hall and it cost about $2Million. Also, don't forget that Philly has the Philadelphia Orchestra which has student rush tickets for $8 and the Curtis Institute of Music with dozens of free recitals often accompanied by a buffet reception afterward. There is also an artist in residence program at Penn and this year the group was a famous string quartet whose name escapes me. The combination of Wharton and all these additional resources really can't be beat. Good luck!!</p>