<p>I'm looking to continue with music in college but not as a major. I play the saxophone and I'm looking to be in an ensemble.</p>
<p>I've been looking at selective liberal arts/small schools...my uw gpa is 3.94 and I got a 31 on the ACT. I also have taken several APs. So for the most selective LACs I'm probably a reach, but the level right underneath the top 5-10 I should have a greater chance, I'm hoping.</p>
<p>So my question is, what small schools have really good music programs (specifically band), and have really good academics?</p>
<p>So far the best fit I've found is Rice, but I know that's probably a reach. Another I found was Rochester (because of its ties to Eastman) but I don't know much about it. I visited Lawrence but I just didn't get a positive vibe. Oberlin seems too liberal for me, but I may take a visit there. I also visited Illinois Wesleyan, but I feel like that might just be a safe school.</p>
<p>Oh and I have several band extracurriculars including All State Band, and a couple other clubs. I also have done a lot of volunteering.</p>
<p>Sorry, but I have to disagree rather strongly with that statement.</p>
<p>While the focus is on those seeking programs for professional music career preparation across a wide range of disciplines and genres, there is a vast collective knowledge of programs both small and large, including a number of threads devoted to those seeking a participatory or non-major experience of varying caliber. </p>
<p>I’d invite the OP to follow through on Erin’s Dad’s suggestion and find out first hand.</p>
<p>You misunderstood me. I was talking about academic stats. If you are auditioning for music programs, conservatory or otherwise, in general your academics are cut slack (not a ton, but a good amount). Conservatories are not necessarily the way to go, there are many fantastic music programs that are not conservatories (Northwestern, Indiana, Luther, St. Olaf, USC the list goes on)</p>
<p>Simple question: Do you want a BA or BM? If BM, your success or failure will largely depend on your audition. If BA, it’s a rather different story and you have some research to do.</p>
<p>For someone interested in ensembles as a non-major to look at Oberlin, Rochester and Lawrence since they’re “strong in music,” is similar to someone who wants to play Intramural basketball looking at Duke, Kentucky and UCLA because they’re “strong in basketball.”</p>
<p>Early in your search, ask directly how easy or difficult it is for non-majors to take music classes, participate in ensembles, etc. It may be very difficult at some schools. (I experienced this with dance with one of my kids - small school, excellent reputation in dance, literally impossible for a non-major to take a single dance class.)</p>
<p>gadad, you do bring up a point. I know when I looked at Lawrence they said that all ensembles were based on auditions. All I’m looking for is to be in a wind ensemble or concert band. Is it really that hard for some schools? I guess I’ll just have to research what each school’s policies are.</p>
<p>University of Rochester is a good bet. They do have the Eastman school, but they have a music department in the university itself through the School of Arts and Sciences, separate from Eastman (and probably a lot less stressful!). U of R is an excellent school. I highly recommend it. This is a match. </p>
<p>zekem - As Wayward noted earlier, you’ll need to be aware of the differences between B.A. and B.Mus. degrees. A B.A. in Music is a liberal arts degree for students who are interested in the discipline. A B.Mus. degree is a pre-professional degree for someone who his committed to a career and life in music. B.A. programs will, in general, want to give as many students as possible the opportunity to participate and perform, and will treat performance opportunities as extracurriculars. B.Mus. programs (or sometimes B.M.) are conservatory-style, and their performance opportunities will generally be considered apprenticeships for their majors.</p>
<p>One thing that you might do is to look at LACs in which you’re interested, then go to their websites and look for the breadth of their performance opportunities and the availability of performance courses within a Music department that offers B.A. degrees. The combination of a B.A. approach with an impressive array of ensembles may be what you’re looking for.</p>
<p>There are lots of options for non music majors to participate in music at both Lawrence and University of Rochester. That is not quite so true for Oberlin.</p>