<p>D was accepted to Oberlin in liberal arts. She is a violinist but did not audition for the conservatory due to the expense and my thoughts that the likelihood of her getting in the con would be low. She is a good musician-has earned big scholarships for the past three years to what I assume are good music festivals- Brevard, EMF, NYU (some simply admits with small amounts when in middle school-Interlochen and a few other camps that take young kids, I can't remember all). She has played 10 years, is one of the top players in our local youth Symphony (we live in a large multi-university community so the quality of kids is fairly good, the better players are conservatory bound).</p>
<p>D wants to continue with lessons and chamber playing. Her teacher is very good and has trained many serious musicians. I don't think she would be at all satisfied with lessons from an advanced student at Oberlin. She also would not be satisfied with chamber playing with players that are well below her level (currently plays in a sextet with several good adult players, turned down a group at her high school because they were not at the level she was used to playing with-she is tactful and did not tell the HS group this).</p>
<p>D has been accepted to Grinnell, Reed, Case Western and Lawrence (not conservatory-did not apply). The academics and social group are important to her and these features weigh in big in her choice. Any thoughts about what she should do to further investigate Oberlin? I have gotten some good input from moms from the Grinnell and Lawrence sites about those schools. Anyone D should contact? Any stories on "noncon" string players having satisfying music experiences at Oberlin?</p>
<p>The academic environment at Oberlin is vibrant; of the schools you mention, closer to Reed and Grinnell, with a high level of student satisfaction. These schools are all environments that seem to foster intellectual curiosity and achievement -- lots of graduates go on to graduate school programs. But the cultures appear somewhat different -- so hopefully your daughter has visited.
The music environment at Oberlin is phenomenal -- concerts, recitals, master classes; jazz and popular music too. I can't imagine there is anything comparable at Reed or Grinnell.
Your daughter should contact the conservatory to find out what the likelihood is of taking lessons with one of the faculty and of participating in the orchestra and coached chamber groups.<br>
I believe a frequent, helpful, CC poster, Shennie, has a son at Oberlin who is in the college but plays an instrument. You might try sending a PM.</p>
<p>re: Lessons. The credit lessons would be awesome for your daughter. There is an audition to decide placement (student vs. professor), but as long as she nails that, she's golden. Obviously, violin lessons have a lot of demand, but if your daughter's that good, she'll do it.</p>
<p>As a noncon singer, I have a very different view in, but I think it's still valuable. People in the con are serious, dedicated and wonderful. They add so much to campus and perform at incredibly high levels. There are definitely roads to take in the Con for college students- open audition ensembles, chamber groups.. there's a lot. And as mamenyu mentioned, there's a lot of resources - guest artists, recitals, a huge music library, practice rooms, constant inspiration and a community of musicians. </p>
<p>Music is a big deal at the College. The majority of us are music nerds: the best pick-up line I know is "What bands do you like?" We have an incredibly popular radio station and a lot of student bands with a lot of visiting artists.</p>
<p>My son does attend Oberlin and plays viola although not at the level your daughter plays violin. He has not pursued lessons. My understanding, however, is that she can audition for lessons with a faculty member if there is space in the studio. I would encourage you to contact the con and find out exactly how this works. I also think that it is possible that she will be able to find a chamber group of like minded students although it may be difficult to find a coach. </p>
<p>The thing my son has found the most disappointing is that there is no full orchestra for non music majors. There is a string orchestra, but he says it is not the same as playing in a full orchestra. The students are trying to get one going and have started this semester. They currently have a grad student who has agreed to conduct them. I think the development of this orchestra will be a slow process. </p>
<p>On the positive side, he loves being awash in music. He attends concerts every week of all different kinds. He has season tickets to the visiting artist series which is phenomenal for such a small school. He has found ways to continue to play his viola and has continued to compose when he can find time.</p>
<p>Is your daughter interested at all in being a college music major? Because I think that may open up some doors. A lot has already been said, but as another college instrumentalist, here's just a few more things to add. First of all, your daughter will need to be pro-active about getting involved because things aren't just put out there for you. I'm not sure how common it is for students to get lessons with professors, but since your daughter sounds really good there might be a better chance. I am still very pleased with my con student teacher as a pretty advanced student on a woodwind. Also, there are no chamber opportunities for college students that I know of unless you form your own. I think that the college/con was trying to set something up for college students this year but I heard that it didn't really work out. Maybe it will next year though. --This might be something to ask about since I could be wrong and there might be something better.
There is college community strings, but most of the people probably won't be as good as your daughter appears to be. Some good college students can also place into the conservatory orchestra, so there's that option, though it is a very time-heavy commitment.
By your description it almost sounds like she would be good enough to get into the con. If she has any desire to pursue that, first years can audition for admittance their second year.
I have a violin playing friend who has been somewhat displeased with the situation here, but I think that things are improving for her. So it may not be quite all that your daughter wants, but she is still free to take advantage of most of the con's resources - classes, I think she could sit in on the violin studio class, master classes, concerts. And other than that - taking action to meet the right people might help her find some other opportunities to play as well.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the input. I really appreciate your efforts with my questions. D is interested in double majoring (not double degree-we can't afford a fifth year!). It sounds like having a music major might open more possibilities.
I appreciate everyone's candid assessment of the music scene. I am also open to hearing other opinions as well.</p>