<p>Is there anyone who can offer some insight into the opportunities for a really strong violinist at any of these Liberal Arts Schools: Smith, Dartmouth, Vassar, Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, Brandeis, Tufts (NOT the double degree program) or suggestions for other strong academic schools that might also offer good orchestra/chamber music performance possibilites (and lessons!)</p>
<p>Your list leans very east coast. If Ohio is in play Oberlin College should be on the list.</p>
<p>Thanks, Compdad, We were afraid that Oberlin would have limited opportunities for a violinist who will only be at the College, not the Con. Didn’t mean to only look at East Coast schools, though. Wash U., Grinnell and Pomoma are also on our list.</p>
<p>nycm - Music is a huge part of the college as well. Students in the college are free to audition for any ensemble. This is an interesting read off the Oberlin website. Love that Wash U. and Grinnell are on the list. </p>
<p>[Oberlin</a> Stories | Mariko Meyer '11](<a href=“http://stories.oberlin.edu/2/music-conservatory/mariko-meyer-11.shtml]Oberlin”>http://stories.oberlin.edu/2/music-conservatory/mariko-meyer-11.shtml)</p>
<p>Connecticut College (CT)
University of Rochester (NY) Eastman School of Music</p>
<p>Maybe Yale, since you’re considering Dartmouth.</p>
<p>Thanks, Hunt, Actually Yale and Princeton are already on the list since we know quite a bit about music especially Orchestra at those schools (admittedly reach schools in any event)</p>
<p>Also wondering about opportunities at Northwestern and Unversity of Rochester for NON-Conservatory students.</p>
<p>nycm - I may have given you some of this information on another thread. We attended another excellent Vassar orchestra concert last evening. The orchestra conductor a Vassar is outstanding. Everyone loves him and I get ‘goosebumps’ every orchestra concert. There is always one of those surprise and incredible musical moments. Be sure to visit Vassar in your travels and go to an orchestra rehearsal. As I have said before, we are thrilled with the experience S1 and S2 are having at Vassar especially in the music department. Lessons are on campus.</p>
<p>A good friend attends Swarthmore and has had a great musical experience there also - orchestra and chamber music. I think she needed to travel to Philadelphia for lessons though. </p>
<p>I have heard good things about the Brandeis music department - small and friendly. I have not heard the orchestra.</p>
<p>Also think about Wesleyan, Bard, Hamilton (yes - we were surprised - the orchestra was all students and really good) and Skidmore for LACs. I have heard all the orchestras over the past 5 years or so. Amherst has the 5 college consortium opportunities (UMASS) but I have not hear their orchestra. The Tufts music building is newer and we visited on a sunny Friday afternoon and many people were practicing - have not heard the orchestra. </p>
<p>Hope this helps. PM me with any questions.</p>
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<p>Swarthmore is a near suburb of Philadelphia; there is a commuter train station on campus, so a trip to the city is easy. My daughter went to Swarthmore and was able to commute in for her job in center city (as we quaintly call it) and also to take many classes at Penn, through the Quaker Consortium. A strong violinist at Swarthmore (or Penn, where I teach) could take lessons with a Philadelphia Orchestra member, subsidized by the school, and for academic credit. If you are interested in learning more about Penn, PM me.</p>
<p>When I attended Northwestern, non-music majors were very welcome to audition for all of the music ensembles. My roommate (cello) and I (bassoon) both played in the orchestra, as did Dermot Mulroney (yep, the actor - he was actually a good cellist.) Don’t know if the policy has changed, but worth looking into.</p>
<p>many thanks Chemusic, glassharmonica and megpmom, We are starting to map out some visits for later in the spring and early summer and all these suggestions are really helpful. Vassar is definitely looking very promising! Hamilton and Skidmore will be new on our lists and will do some more homework as they would both be schools with a lot more to offer as well.</p>
<p>NYCM, </p>
<p>You could check out Mansfield University of PA. </p>
<p>Mansfield was the first Pennsylvania state institution to grant a certificate to teach music, and has a long, rich tradition of music excellence. At Mansfield you can pursue:</p>
<p>Undergraduate Degrees and Concentrations</p>
<p>B.M. Music Education
B.M. Music Performance
B.M. with Elective Studies in Business
B.M. with Emphasis in Music Tech.
B.A. Music
Graduate Degrees and Concentrations</p>
<p>MA Music with Concentrations in:
Choral Conducting
Collaborative Piano
Instrumental Conducting
Music Education</p>
<p>The Music Department has 20 faculty members and a student body of about 230 majors. The department is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and approved through the NAMM Affiliated Music Business Institutions.</p>
<p>More information: music.mansfield.edu</p>