It seems like not many people (on here or the Music Major forum) talk about the music program at Case, which is odd since it sounds like the program is quite strong and offers some unusual opportunities (like taking lessons with CIM faculty!) I have some questions and would love some more information.
-For someone interested in a BA (not a BS), how do auditions work? Case’s website makes it sound like only video auditions are required, but it sounds like some people on CC had to do live auditions too. Is the video just a pre-screen, with a separate live audition also required?
-How competitive is admission? From my understanding, it’s somewhat unusual for a BA program to require auditions. Are they looking for conservatory level musicians, or do they just want to make sure applicants have a solid grounding in music?
-Is the program more for people looking for a performance emphasis? I only ask this because a program requiring an audition seems geared at instrumentalists/vocalists. I definitely want to continue playing piano, but in terms of music I also want to study things like history, composition, ethnomusicology, production and recording, etc. Are there opportunities do this at Case?
-Do all majors get to take lessons with CIM faculty, or just the top instrumentalists? Is there a separate audition required?
My son is a dual major at Case - music and engineering. He submitted an audition tape (the information for what you need to submit is on the website). Based on that audition tape he was admitted to the music major. I believe the music education majors have to have a live audition. He had other schools where had to live audition but not at CWRU. I can not comment on how competitive it is. Here is a link to the requirements for the B.A. as a dual major: http://music.case.edu/files/2013/10/Music-BA-Advising-Sheet-2015-16.pdf
He has music lessons with CIM faculty and plays in the orchestra. He has played with CIM students as well as Case.
After he was accepted and we visited the school he was able to meet the teacher he would study with and take a lesson.
Best of luck. The information is on the website. Look at the info for current students.
We spent some time trying to see where the CWRU music program ranks. From what we saw online the CWRU music department is extremely well known for its strong musicology graduate program, and the professors who teach and study musicology. Its faculty does not teach much of the performance courses, which are instead taught mostly by faculty from the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM). The CIM is also very well known and highly ranked: #19 in the world in this article:
My son auditioned on horn, three years ago, after sending an audio tape only. (they do request video but he had audo from All State auditions and sent that tape ) He was thinking of minoring in horn so the live audition was for an arts scholarship, which he ultimately did not win. They told him that he qualified for the BA in Music and assigned him a horn teacher based on his level. The best students could go directly to CIM professors for lessons. He participated in the University Circle Wind ensemble on horn, and it was a fabulous experience, about half CWRU and half CIM woodwinds and brass players, excellent conductor,and lots of concerts. The concert venues are really outstanding, one at CIM, a new performing arts center in a converted historic Synagogue, and Harkness on Case’s campus. CIM and its concert hall, are also on campus. Pianos abound in the dorms, there are many ensembles for music majors, or minors or for students who want to play music without a major. Lessons cost extra at CIM unless you are a music major or double major (music plus another ) All students have good opportunities for music lessons from world class musicians, many who play for the Cleveland Orchestra. The Venue for Cleveland Orchestra, Severance Hall is owned by CWRU and on campus , and students can buy a season pass with buddy passes at a fabulous discount. Also Severance Hall is one concert venue for CIM and CWRU music ensembles, fun to play in a world famous music hall! Case is very flexible with the music minor requirements, and many students double major or minor in music.
FYI Severance Hall is not owned by CWRU. It is owned and operated by the Musical Arts Association, the non profit that operates the Cleveland Orchestra and Blossom Music Center. Just wanted to clear up a small bit of misinformation.
Does anyone know when music scholarships have been awarded in the past? The web site just says in the spring and that they would be awarded by admissions. They were not part of the EA financial aid decisions, since as I understand it the music department makes the decisions after everyone has applied and submitted their videos. Thanks.