<p>I am a junior in high school, and I am actively shopping for small LAC's with a conservatory or strong music program. Classical voice and piano are my primary and secondary instruments, respectively. I am already considering Oberlin, Lawrence, and Stetson University. Does anyone know about the conservatory at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL? Is the music faculty decent? And how about the academics?</p>
<p>I welcome any information you may have!</p>
<p>Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>I honestly don't know too much about it. When my son was looking, though, we found that they have a stellar violin faculty, most likely because of their proximity to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I do have the feeling that it may be up-and-coming though. I asked about it on this forum at the time and folks didn't seem to know much about it. Perhpas there are some now who know more.</p>
<p>Seven students from my daughter's high school have attended Roosevelt as vocal music majors over the past several years, so I know a bit about it. It's a classical conservatory curriculum and has connections with the performing arts community in Chicago...certainly an asset. As with all performance majors, the fit and focus of the student/voice teacher trumps many other considerations, so a visit and sample lesson are important.</p>
<p>I perceive that the standing of the school is improving, so the competition might also be getting keener to get in. Up until now, though, all of the students from my daughter's high school (a public school in metro Milwaukee) who auditioned for a spot were accepted. Of course, I can't know whether it was lack of competition or just a good track record from the high school. Two of the students chose not to continue, three graduated and were accepted into well-known post-graduate programs, and two are still there. </p>
<p>The school also has opportunities to study opera in Italy in the summer with the program adminstered by CCM.</p>
<p>I know nothing about Roosevelt's voice program, but something about instumental depts.</p>
<p>1) Faculty includes many Chicago Symphony musicians, top Chicago free lancers and soloists - some great performers in the lists. Some faculty, but not all, are also "known" as fine teachers. Doesn't mean that other faculty members aren't potentially terrific - it is just that not all the names are the ones that immediately come to mind when students are talking about who the teachers/pedagogues (as opposed to performers) with amazing world-wide/nation-wide reputations are. Easy to check out the faculty member you might have in mind -ask for a trial lessons(s), visit a studio class, sit in on lessons, etc. One of those faculty members could easily be perfect - even if not a widely "known" name!</p>
<p>2) Roosevelt has a long history of great faculty and mixed ability students. I don't know that the school is "up and coming" so much as life as usual.</p>
<p>3) The student body varies quite a bit in ability. Some players are quite fine, others were not accepted at oher conservatories. As an example, I know at a violinist who was rejected at U Michigan, Northwestern, Oberlin and Indiana, but accepted at Roosevelt (I don't believe academics were involved in the rejections). Conversely, there are students, particularly foreign, with terrific backgrounds and abilities. As with any place, there are always students accepted at places like NEC and CIM that choose Roosevelt for personal or financial reasons. Peer level can be assessed with a visit to studio classes, ensemble rehearsals, etc.</p>
<p>4) Location right down the street from Symphony Center and in downtown Chicago is great. Dorms are close to the school - I hear there are great views of Lake Michigan for some!</p>
<p>5) Academically, I don't believe Roosevelt University as a whole is among the more challenging of private schools - you can easily check the academic admission requirements. I've been told that the music dept courses - theory, history, etc - are better than many non-music dept courses.</p>
<p>Can not add to what has been said regarding the music program. It has some top notch faculty. One thing that may be a + or a -, is that Oberlin, Lawrence, and Stetson have campuses. Roosevelt is in the middle of Chicago. It is a great environment, with several colleges having dorms in the South Loop, but it does not have the same vibe as a traditional college campus.</p>
<p>I heard several excellent male singers from Roosevelt during last year's summer opera program audition season....they were well trained, and within the summer programs, they were prepared and sang quite well, too. I have not heard any females from there.</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone! All of you provided the information for which I was looking.</p>
<p>M.Rom in terms of location, and size, Roosevelt is much larger than the standard LAC. The location is very urban -- as others have mentioned above -- so the feel would be very different from Oberlin, Lawrence, or Stetson.</p>
<p>Yes, I do hesitate because of the lack of campus and the larger size. However, I think many of the students are graduates rather than undergraduates.</p>