<p>Hi,
I'm trying to make my college decision by Saturday. I have always seriously studied classical viola all my life. I am now trying to decide between Princeton, double degree programs (Oberlin, etc.), or music conservatories such as Juilliard, MSM, etc. Princeton is the most competitive academic school to which I was admitted.
I think I would like Princeton, but am not yet sure if I am willing to give up my dream of being a professional orchestral musician.
Any information anyone could give me on Princeton University's music department and/or chances at pursuing a music career/attending a prestigious music school for graduate studies (such as MSM, Juilliard, NEC, etc.) would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!</p>
<p>A bit late, but you might have benefited from the music major forum [Music</a> Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/]Music”>Music Major - College Confidential Forums). Try pm’ing team_mom, her son is at Princeton, taking private (horn) instruction with Juilliard faculty. He had similar options. stringkeymom is worth a pm as well.</p>
<p>For expediency’s sake, I’ve pulled some current threads on similar questions from students/parents with similar dilemmas:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/915137-yale-vs-lawrence.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/915137-yale-vs-lawrence.html</a> (2 more linked within)
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/685881-opera-yale-harvard-princeton.html?highlight=princeton[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/685881-opera-yale-harvard-princeton.html?highlight=princeton</a></p>
<p>The premise is effectively the same regardless of the name on the thread title.</p>
<p>From the Princeton forum here:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/princeton-university/697359-lets-honest-music-princeton.html?highlight=music[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/princeton-university/697359-lets-honest-music-princeton.html?highlight=music</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/princeton-university/315071-music-princeton-anyone.html?highlight=music[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/princeton-university/315071-music-princeton-anyone.html?highlight=music</a></p>
<p>Depends completely on your focus and goals. Do you want music 24/7 in the intense environment of a competitive conservatory, the academic rigors of Princeton at the potential detriment of continued musical development, or the opportunities of accomplishing both at a program like Oberlin?</p>
<p>Princeton may be able to position you for MM grad level admission at top conservatory programs, it may well not. Would you be taking private instruction in NYC, Philly or with a Princeton adjunct? The Princeton name (nor will the Juilliard, MSM, or Oberlin moniker) guarantee anything for MM pursuit. Your talent, dedication, private instruction, ensemble opportunities, and talent of your peers are all instrumental in developing you further as a musician. The MM admit process is audition based. If a chair is your goal, and you have the alternative admits you describe, the decision is yours, and really if you see academics as a need, or a diversion.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Well, it’s Saturday now, but if you’re still in the process of making a decision here’s my experience/opinion:</p>
<p>If you know that you want to pursue music as a career, Princeton is clearly not your best choice. However, if you’re still unsure or think you might want to get a degree in something else and study music on the side, it’s definitely something to consider since a Princeton degree can take you very far. I know a number of very serious musicians here, and there’s certainly a thriving musical community. Princeton offers both a music major and a certificate in Musical Performance and Composition, which is an option that a lot of people take advantage of, and both the Princeton University Orchestra and the Glee Club are very strong ensembles.</p>
<p>The music department offers private instrumental and vocal music lessons with very very good instructors (I’m a flute player who took one semester’s worth of lessons and improved immensely during that time), and if you are a music major or getting the certificate the lessons are free. (Otherwise, they’re $80/hr, unless you’re in an ensemble in which case they’re $40/hr.) People come to Princeton with a lot of different talents, and there are some exceptional musicians here, so you definitely wouldn’t be alone.</p>
<p>In short, I agree with the above poster-- what you should do depends on your goals. Essentially every department here is at the top of their field, so if you decide to do something else you’ll be in a great position to do so. If you decide to go with music as a career, attending Princeton will not prevent you from realizing that dream, but you would obviously get a better musical education at a conservatory. Honestly, if you’re not absolutely certain that you want a career in music, I would keep your options open and either go with Princeton or a double degree program, but make sure that you’re not compromising your ability to get a good education in doing so.</p>