Stanford Music Program???

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
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My question’s pretty simple- I just want to know what the music program at Stanford is like. I plan on being a music major so the music program is very important to me lol.
And if it isn’t very good or you know of a better music program in California, please tell me of the school! :slight_smile:

Thanks,
littlesodagirl :)>-

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You get a BA (Bachelor’s of Arts) in Music.

You’d have to be more specific about what you are looking for in Music and maybe someone could answer.

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JustOneDad - I know that I would get a BA in music. I don’t think you understood my question… I was asking what people think of the music program personally and if it is of quality in their opinion.

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While there are many aspects of Stanford that are wonderful and top-of-the-line, the music program is not one of them. I currently attend Stanford and am very active with music at Stanford. In fact I even auditioned as part of my application. Before coming here I was planning on double majoring (with one major being music) but I’ve since reconsidered. If your true passion is music performance this is not the school for you.

On the surface the music program seems to have a lot going for it. The Bing Concert Hall is definitely a spectacular building and some of the music instructors are really incredible. The problem lies with the administration.

The Degree Options:

  1. The Major Itself: What is a music major at Stanford? Well if you like playing music then it’s not for you. If you like theory/history you may enjoy it. The music major consists of 6 theory classes, 1 additional ear training elective, 3 history courses, 3 analysis courses, 3 writing in the major courses, 5 quarters lessons, 5 quarters ensembles. Doing a “concentration” in performance does not mean taking more performance in place of theory/history. Rather it means additional performance courses on top of the ones already listed.
  1. The Minor: You may be thinking that the minor would be a better alternative if you enjoy playing. However, the minor currently entails: 6 quarters theory, 3 quarters history, 2 quarters ensemble, 2 quarters lessons, 1 writing in the major. Essentially even less playing but the same level of theory and history.
  2. The (relatively new) Certificate in Music Performance: 6 quarters lessons, 6 quarters ensemble, 1 music theory, 6 music electives, 1 independent study/project. This certificate sounds incredibly promising though it has drawbacks. First, unlike any major (or minor) at Stanford the department caps the number of people who can pursue it (generally, rumor has it, only admitting 3 or so students a year). Second, it doesn't show up anywhere on your transcript. It's a departmental certificate not a university certificate.

The Finances:
Stanford really nickel-and-dimes musicians.

  1. Practice rooms: these cost students $50 per quarter to use. There are only about 8 practice rooms on the main part of campus so if you go at peak hours they’re generally full and you wont even be able to use them. Note- this fee is waived if you pay to take lessons.
  1. Lockers: a small locker will cost you $10/quarter, a large one will cost $20/quarter
  2. Bing Concert Hall/Dink Auditorium: these are performance venues for student groups. They aren't free and they aren't cheap. Large groups (like the Wind Ensemble and Orchestra) have the funds to pay to use these facilities. Smaller student groups will rarely, if ever, get to use Bing due to the cost. The group itself has to pay for the rehearsal/performance area and often Stanford lets outside groups use the spaces during peak performance times.
  3. Lessons: Lessons cost around $650 per quarter (on top of the cost of regular tuition!). If you're a major you get discounted lessons around $325. Scholarships are available but rarely cover the entire cost.

TL;DR: degree options at Stanford aren’t great for people interested in performance and are pricey as well. The individual instructors are awesome however.

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OP. Agree with @Lagging about the music program…overall, I believe it is designed more for someone who is interested in going into academia (music) for future PhD and becoming a professor than someone interested in becoming a “performing” concert/orchestral artist…because of its emphasis.

Anyone seriously interested in becoming a full-time concert/orchestral musician should think long and hard about Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Duke, etc…because they are more theoretical/composition/history (liberal arts foundation) based than schools like Juilliard or Curtis (that are more performance/pedagogy based)…

If a student is serious about “focusing” clearly on performance degree in music to become a performing “professional” musician (and want that “serious” intensity seen in movies like Whiplash)…they should be looking more at schools like Juilliard, Curtis, Eastman, Peabody, Oberlin, Berkelee, New England Conservatory, Mannes, Manhattan, Thornton, etc…

…having said that…there are plenty of extremely talented top award winning musicians who could have easily been accepted to the top conservatories mentioned above who have chosen to attend Stanford to pursue their primary focus of concentration…in the humanities, sciences, math, engineering, or CS (many of them pre-meds, pre-laws, pre-business, pre-technology engineers/entrepreneur)…and still make time for personal lessons, orchestra practices, small ensembles, and competitions…

…hope this helps.

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There are lots of great musicians here, but pretty much all of them consider academics as their priority rather than music. If you are sure you want to major in music you should probably be applying to conservatories or other more reknowned music schools than Stanford…

I concur with Lagging on pretty much everything. I hope Stanford improves the music department soon.

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@Lagging So how time consuming is the Certificate in Music Performance, and do you happen to have any specific information on the piano faculty at Stanford? I definitely want to continue piano in college, but it doesn’t seem like there are many lessons available.

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@HFlow1732 The certificate isn’t particularly time consuming if you’re planning being involved in music at Stanford. You can probably find the exact course requirements on their site, but if I remember right it’s several quarters of small ensemble, several of large ensemble, lessons, music theory, music history etc. It’s about as many units as a smaller minor. Most people who do it are those who are planning on playing with a group and taking lessons anyways. Just by taking lessons and playing in ensembles you’ll fulfill most of it.

They have some special exception I think for piano students regarding the ensemble requirements since it’s a bit more difficult for them.

Regarding lessons, there are quite a few private instructors at Stanford. You generally have to audition for lessons and if the instructor has space and is satisfied with your playing then they will agree to take you on. There are multiple teachers for some of the larger programs which possibly includes piano, but I’m not sure.

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