Oberlin, Vanderbilt, Wesleyan, Bard, or Bates

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Looking to get more information on the programs at these schools.
I am a percussionist interested in jazz, composition/songwriting, and electronic music production. I want 50% of my studies to be music and 50% studio art (maybe graphic design) and liberal arts.</p>

<p>Strong percussion instruction is a must. Quality recording studio equipment is highly preferred. Composition/songwriting of popular/contemporary and blended styles will be important to me. Looking for school that will accept my widespread interests. I am very interested in overlap and collaboration between departments.</p>

<p>OBERLIN:
Pros- Strong percussion, great electronics, strong LA college, many strong musicians
Cons- Social environment, departments seem somewhat divided, unsure of how available faculty makes itself to its students</p>

<p>WESLEYAN:
Pros- Social environment, location, great LA college, wide variety of world music styles and ensembles
Cons- uncertain about musical quality of faculty and students, don't know studio art quality, don't know about electronic music</p>

<p>BARD:
Pros- Strong LA, jazz studies and electronic music available, located near a strong conservatory
Cons- Departments very divided</p>

<p>VANDERBILT:
Pros- Strong percussion, strong LA, Musical Arts (individualized music studies), bluegrass and Music City
Cons- school social environment, no electronic department??, unsure of studio art</p>

<p>Please let me know if these are accurate. Add comments or suggestions and please provide any details about these schools. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>People often suggest Berklee, Belmont, USC Thornton and some other schools (Miami Frost?) for these musical interests. But you also want 50% studio art and liberal arts.</p>

<p>If you choose a liberal arts college that also has a conservatory, make sure that the pros of the conservatory presence outweigh the cons. In some cases, the presence of conservatory students might mean fewer opportunities.</p>

<p>The term “composition” often refers to classica, as you probably knowl. So I guess the terms for what you want might be “contemporary composition” or “songwriting” or “jazz composition”.</p>

<p>Also, the term “electronic music production” covers many different things. There was a recent thread on this, in fact. I am assuming you don’t mean electroacoustic composition (more academic). Are you interested in writing for film and games? Rock/pop production? What kinds of equipment do you use and need? What kinds of projects? </p>

<p>On your list, I like Wesleyan for your interests. Spirit Manager can speak to Bard, which has a conservatory but, I think an excellent college music program. Oberlin is great but not sure how the conservatory affects music studies in the college. May be fine too. Bates is a great school, don’t know about their music. Have you checked Vanderbilt’s website thoroughly? You could always e-mail departments or call…</p>

<p>You could also look at Clark U., Tufts, Macalaster, Vassar. Another idea for someone with your diverse interests might be Bennington, or Sarah Lawrence, which involve a lot of independent and interdisciplinary work (Bennington has a field work term in which students do internships, Sarah Lawrence is close to NYC). Google these schools’ music departments. </p>

<p>I have recently heard good things about College of Wooster but don’t know much about it.</p>

<p>Check out the colleges in Loren Pope’s books “Colleges that Change Lives” and “Looking Beyond the Ivies.” There is a website for the first one, actually. Great resource.</p>

3

<p>Hey, thanks compmom! I have looked through most of those colleges you suggested and I eventually ruled all of them out except Sarah Lawrence. I probably will apply to Sarah Lawrence but I would rather go to one of the schools listed. Bennington just didn’t have the music opportunities I needed at a school.</p>

<p>I also read some of Colleges that Change Lives. I think my college list is probably finalized.</p>

4

<p>But I am still interested in more information about my above schools.
I also forgot to include a pros/cons list for Bates.</p>

<p>BATES:
Pros- Strong LibArts, variety of music offerings, lots of overlap between music departments, social atmosphere
Cons- unsure of the strength of percussion, don’t know about electronic music, don’t know about studio arts, lack of ethnic diversity</p>

<p>Thanks for the help</p>

5

<p>Check out Eric Guinevan at UC Santa Barbara. He is a composer and percussionist and I went to one of his concerts: he blew me away. Kind of random, but just thought of it.</p>

6

<p>Wesleyan is a good choice for you. Paula Matthusen is teaching electronic music there now. Do you know her work? Alvin Lucier is emeritus now, I believe. Fantastic world drumming professors, and great grad students in ethnomusicology. Unusual jazz. Lots of bands, and different styles of music from the students and not dominated by the classical music department.</p>

<p>I know nothing about Bates’s music scene.</p>

<p>UC Santa Barbara will be very expensive out of state - but interesting to know Guinevan is now teaching there. Thanks, compmom! Lots of young composers suddenly being hired. But he’s definitely in the traditional classical mode. Not jazz or contemporary.</p>

<p>In the classical composition world, check out Sean Friar’s Clunker Concerto - for 4 percussionists on junked car, and chamber orchestra. He’s now teaching both at USC and UCLA.</p>

<p>I know nothing about Vanderbilt’s jazz scene. It doesn’t get mentioned on here in the jazz searches. Not to say it’s not of interest…</p>

7

<p>Curious about your ranking of social scene and what you’re interested in. Son was accepted by both Wesleyan and Oberlin. Son chose Oberlin because of its social scene. He was not in the Conservatory, but his roommate was. We (parents) loved Wesleyan, but he preferred the mid-western vibe of Oberlin. Can’t say enough about the faculty he interacted with at Oberlin. And his roommate is a working professional musician just a few months out of college. A few students at Oberlin double major in both the Con and the College, however, it is extremely demanding and not for the faint of heart. If you are considering Oberlin, you should call admissions to find out the choices available in your areas of interest.</p>

<p>We also looked seriously at Bates, and loved what we heard about the senior thesis and emphasis on writing. But it ended up being too preppy and went off the list.</p>

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<p>Spirit Manager, is So Percussion at Bard?</p>

9

<p>Yes, So Percussion runs the percussion department in the Conservatory. But they don’t teach jazz percussion, and they don’t teach in the college. But they do perform! Margun’s son is in his second year studying with them at Bard. Kalina’s son is a freshman jazz percussionist in the college and would be a good resource for that experience.</p>

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<p>I just want to chime in here that if you are seriously interested in Studio Art in addition to Jazz music you might want to consider Berklee or School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA). If you were enrolled at one of them you could easily take courses at the other through this organization: [The</a> Professional Arts Consortium](<a href=“http://www.proarts.org%5DThe”>http://www.proarts.org)</p>

<p>Another possibility based on your joint interests is to consider Emerson and then take private lessons at Berklee (either through pro-arts or through the CE department) because Emerson is a leader in training professionals who go on to create multi-media productions and work in the industry. </p>

<p>At the SMFA I have met kids who take classes through this organization and they have been quite happy with how easy it is to cross register and manage their courses. There are advantages to this approach over attending a small liberal arts school as well as disadvantages. But one advantage I see is that you would be getting exposed to leaders in the Jazz world as well as the art world, which could be very helpful post graduation. You also will be exposed to professionals and students who share your passion for combining visual arts and Jazz. And more importantly there are the resources to make a vision you have a reality because you have access to some of the best musicians, best technical theater people and the best visual arts students.</p>

<p>It sounds like you want a school with more of a campus and going to school in a city offers a different experience, but it might be something to consider for the future. It depends on how serious you are about pursuing the joint career path of jazz drumming and visual arts. It also depends on what your eventual career goals are and where you hope to take these two interests of yours.</p>

<p>(as an aside: I realize this is a music forum but I am a visual artist. I don’t know how serious you are about your arts education and what sort of training you want. Studio art varies quite a lot. So if Studio Art is also a high priority then this is what I think you should look for. I would ignore the quality of the studios, just as I would ignore the quality of practice rooms. In the end those things are just luxuries and to be honest once you graduate you are probably not going to have access to a fancy studio. I personally would want to make sure that what ever program you attend has a strong foundation program. The program should teach DRAWING. It should not just treat drawing as a way to explore expression, but it should teach you to see through drawing. It should teach you how to paint and deal with color. It should teach you the basics of 2D and 3D design. And you will need a good art history class. I would review the work done by faculty and recent alumni by doing web searches and see if the work these people are creating is work you like. Do they share your visual aesthetic? If they do not share your visual aesthetic then chances are you will not be happy in that studio program.)</p>

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<p>[Interview</a> with Breaking Bad’s Dave Porter | SLCspeaks](<a href=“http://slcspeaks.com/interview-breaking-bads-dave-porter/]Interview”>http://slcspeaks.com/interview-breaking-bads-dave-porter/)</p>

12

<p>bcraig, with such a specific list of interests, I would just call up or email a music tech and/or jazz chairperson at the schools that interest you and ask if your plan would work. If you get the run-around or they sound doubtful, cross them off the list. You need a place that will be happy to work with you on an inter-disciplinary approach. </p>

<p>Check out the E-media program at CCM/Univ of Cincinnati. It developed out of their broadcasting program, and they also have a music technology area that spun off from their jazz program as well as both studio art and graphic communications in UC’s College of Design. I spoke with John Owens there and he was very nice and helpful.</p>

<p>[E-Media</a>, University of Cincinnati](<a href=“http://ccm.uc.edu/emedia.html]E-Media”>http://ccm.uc.edu/emedia.html)</p>

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<p>Cincinnati’s graphic design program is one of the best in the country. If that’s the direction you’re interested in with studio art, jeannemar’s suggestion is well worth looking into. They have everything you’re looking for - although I don’t know how difficult it is to double major there…</p>

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<p>You might want to consider a double degree (rather than double major) program because these can both be fairly intense majors. In that case, you might really like Oberlin, Lawrence, Bard or other schools that offer both conservatory BM and college BA (for your art, liberal arts). I know Oberlin has jazz and electronic/music technology (including TIMARA),a s well as classical percussion, so that might be your best bet.</p>

<p>Otherwise, schools that do not have distribution requirements would work for you. Sarah Lawrence and Bennington, as I said before, but also Amherst and Brown and others that you can find out about. </p>

<p>For your needs, it would be important to check websites to see what distribution requirements are, what credits you would want for a music and art majors, and add them up to see if it is possible at each school.</p>

15

<p>posted the above by mistake, before finishing…wanted to add that you might want to read this about different ways to do music:
[Double</a> Degrees | Peabody Conservatory](<a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html]Double”>http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/admissions/tips/doubledegree.html)</p>

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<p>Thank you all so much. I have been away from the computer for a while. I visited Oberlin this last weekend and enjoyed my stay. I think it is my best option.</p>

<p>opine1,
That’s funny you say that. I have sort of been wanting to move out of the Midwest since I was younger. The culture here is generally pretty reserved. However, Oberlin seems more considerably more liberal than the surrounding areas. I am more inclined to what I read about Wesleyan, but I have not visited both campuses. However, I predict that I might find Bates too preppy as well.</p>

<p>StacJip,
Thanks so much for your feedback! I really appreciate the information regarding what to look for in a visual art program. This helps me put things in perspective. Sadly, I’m not convinced Oberlin is the best place for studio arts. It doesn’t look strictly bad, just not the strongest. At this point, however, I lean towards Oberlin because of it’s music opportunities and the college alongside it.
Also, I have heard of the ProArts Consortium and at first I was very excited. After looking into it I worry about the stress of working across multiple campuses and all the limitations that come with that. I imagine ProArts is best for the artist who wants to take just a select few classes at a liberal arts school or vice versa- not those who plan to fully immerse themselves in both. And even then, the question of quality versus quantity comes to mind.
If I was to really delve into the arts field I think I would prefer CalArts or the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music (which is alongside Parsons design school).
Again, thanks for the eloquent advice.
Are you at SMFA? You’re approach to art practices reminds me of my brother who is a senior painter at RISD.</p>

<p>jeannemar and Spiritmanager,
Thanks for the info on CCM at University of Cincinnati. I checked out their arts and music program and they both look very good. I tend to lean towards the liberal arts college for singular campus feel, but CCM is surely worth looking at.</p>

<p>Here’s my list as of now:
Oberlin top choice. (disappointed with studio arts)
Bard and Cal Arts are very good alternatives.
A very hesitant maybe to Bates and Wesleyan.
UofM,Skidmore, Lawrence, Sarah Lawrence, and Bennington are second choice colleges.</p>

<p>Skidmore and CalArts have the best studio art on the list. Bard doesn’t look too bad, either.</p>

17

<p>I am interested in applying to Oberlin’s college early decision. This doesn’t guarantee acceptance to the conservatory but at least I would be on the campus.
I was told by some current Oberlin students that early decision students don’t get very good financial aid. Any thoughts?</p>

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<p>bcraig627-I am not currently at SMFA but I have taken classes there with select teachers as a continuing education student. My son attends NEC and has friends at Berklee and at Emerson so I know the Boston arts scene fairly well. I am also a practicing artist-mostly 2D drawing and painting. I am glad your brother is coming out of RISD with strong feelings about foundations. I have been a bit disappointed these days when I meet recent graduates from art school only to discover that they don’t know how to mix colors or draw. </p>

<p>As for your concern about multiple campuses…honestly Boston is so compact that taking classes at the various schools would be no different than attending the New School or NYU. Both have buildings spread out around the city. </p>

<p>Speaking of that have you looked into the Gallantin School at NYU. That might be the perfect fit for you. At Gallantin you customize your major and you can work to build your own program around your interests. </p>

<p>If you are disappointed in the studio arts then you might seriously want to think about keeping Oberlin as your top choice. Ask yourself if your preference for Oberlin has to do with the “brand” or whether it really is the right environment for you. From a post-graduate career perspective all the colleges you list will open doors.</p>

19

<p>Thanks again, StacJip. May I ask where you studied art? Do you have a website? I would be interested in seeing your work!
I am looking into Gallatin and the music and fine arts programs at NYU. </p>

<p>The reason Oberlin is currently my top choice is because it is the best music school where I can access good liberal arts with some decent visual arts as well. I will look into NYU’s music program and see if it is comparable.
I wish I was on the East coast to visit schools. Early Action and Early Decision deadlines are fast approaching. I am carefully considering early decision at Oberlin (it would help my acceptance there) but I won’t do so until I have more information.</p>

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<p>When we took the tour of the studio arts facilities at Bard, we were impressed. The guide was an art major and said he writes one 10 page paper a week (for various classes) at Bard. So there is a strong writing focus there. </p>

<p>Check out Vassar and Hamilton. Both are strong in the arts/music and it is easy to double major at Vassar due to few distribution requirements.</p>

<p>If Bard still has early action or their immediate decision day - definitely do that, it will take the pressure of applying ED at another school.</p>