<p>I am a high school senior who has been involved with music my whole life (piano, guitar, viola, etc.). I'm looking for a college with a strong academic reputation - specifically in neuroscience or english - that also has a strong music program and/or opportunities to participate in music. I don't intend to be a music major, but I would like it to be a part of my college experience. Any suggestions? I've looked at schools like Lawrence, St. Olaf, Knox, and Illinois Wesleyan. (I'm from the Midwest.)</p>
<p>If you are willing to go a little further, University of Rochester is reported to be a great place for non-majors who want to participate in music ensembles.</p>
<p>Oberlin is strong in English and music, but the conservatory may limit your opportunities as a non-major unless you're at that level of talent. Same goes for Lawrence.</p>
<p>I've also heard good things about music (and English, don't know about neuroscience) at Williams and Vassar.</p>
<p>Oberlin is also strong in neuroscience, as well as in English and music. And there are many, many opportunities for non-conservatory musicians who are not at that level of talent (lessons from supervised conservatory students, ensembles specifically for non-conservatory students, etc.).</p>
<p>Take a look at Johns Hopkins--very strong in both neuroscience and English---and you take take music classes at Hopkins' Peabody Institute (conservatory level performance classes if you can qualify by audition, and preparatory classes otherwise).</p>
<p>I think you've had some good suggestions. Since Williams is the one I'm most familiar with I'll add that performance opportunities for non-majors are ample, the college really supports the arts and neuro-science and English are excellent. Very selective though.</p>
<p>You should prepare a performance tape and submit it with your application, even if you don't intend to major in music. See the individual colleges' websites for instructions under supplementary materials.</p>
<p>You should checkout Haverford. It has an amazing science program, including neuroscience and a well-known cellular/molecular biology progam and lots of music programs and options.</p>
<p>Bucknell is where my D will be attending this fall. She applied for and was granted a "music scholarship" for non majors. She submitted a music supplement by Dec. 1 with her music dept. recommendations. She didn't hear until regular admissions. The information is under scholarships on the Bucknell site. Look into it. All she has to do is participate in the band and she gets free lessons too! Since she's not there yet can't tell you anymore but she is excited about it because she too has been very involved in music too. They haved a beautiful music/performance building and I hear the theatre and musical performances are wonderful. She is going in as a biology major. Good luck.</p>
<p>I second the University of Rochester. A number of years ago, I went there as a history/economics major and was allowed to take piano at the Eastman School of music for no extra charge. The river campus students have the opportunity to participate in numerous musical groups, including orchestra and ensembles. If you can get past the weather, it really is a great place for what you want.</p>