<p>If anyone has information regarding the following two colleges for music education we would really appreciate it. We have been accepted to both Mansfield University and Susquehanna University for strings and would like some feedback on both schools and programs. </p>
<p>We also have SUNY Fredonia and SUNY Potsdam but might like to stay in PA. </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>My wife is a Susquehanna alum in music ed / flute performance and my son is a freshman there as a Psychology major. My impression is that the music ed and choral programs are very good, while the rest of the music department has its strengths and weaknesses. There are some students who play at a very high level, and others who are OK but not exceptional. I would highly recommend taking a sample lesson with the faculty in your instrument and hearing the orchestra play before making any decisions. The orchestra is good, particularly for a school of its size, but not spectacular. They perform three major concerts a year and there are a lot of non-music majors participating in all of the instrumental and vocal ensembles. The music facilities are very nice, particularly their recital hall, and the music building was remodeled a few years ago. They are in the midst of a building spurt with a new science building and several new dorms under construction. Most of the current freshman dorms have pretty nice rooms, and the cafeteria food is good, if a bit repetitive. Freshmen are permitted to have cars.</p>
<p>I do not know Mansfield at all.</p>
<p>Thank you for replying so quickly. I hope to get some more feedback about Mansfield. We have taken lessons at both and are taking into account the size of the orchestras as well as the difference in price. I was hoping that music education teachers were respected by the community job wise from both schools upon graduation.</p>
<p>A friend of my daughter's, one of the finest overall musicians she knows and a stand-out violist went to Susquehanna for one year. She felt she simply wasn't challenged enough as a musician and transferred to her parents' alma mater, Michigan.</p>
<p>I went to SUNY Potsdam. Feel free to do a search for it in the forum as I have posted previously about my experience there or pm as well. I realize it's probably past the deadline, but have you looked at Temple U or West Chester?</p>
<p>If you're looking for info on the two SUNYs, </p>
<p>Additional comments are here <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/651688-suny-fredonia-syracuse.html?highlight=fredonia%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/651688-suny-fredonia-syracuse.html?highlight=fredonia</a></p>
<p>And a Mansfield discussion here <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/520338-state-schools-pa.html?highlight=mansfield%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/520338-state-schools-pa.html?highlight=mansfield</a></p>
<p>Brooke, the poster dlbarber has a daughter (music ed/horn) who I believe is a freshman at Mansfield. You may want to try direct contact through CC's email or pm feature.</p>