<p>My D and I are touring St. Mary's in July and she is very interested in attending. We know this is a small all girls school that has close ties to The University of Notre Dame. She wants a great education in a more personal setting but the closeness ND allows her to participate in a bigger environment. She really is into music and would like to play in ND's marching band. Any helps or comments?</p>
<p>St. Mary’s has an absolutely wonderful music department. It is at once progressive (many professors composing and performing contemporary works, the latter often commissioned specifically for them - [(ie Jeffrey Jacob playing George Crumb)] and traditional in a very caring, nuturing sense. Your daughter will be free to take classes at ND, and will have ND students in her classes as well, but she will not need to venture off SMC’s campus to find some of the absolute best classical music instruction, pedagogy, etc. in the country. It is truly a hidden gem, and the students in the music department are a close, supportive group. The campus is both serene and vibrant once everyone is back in the fall, brimming over with young women who are so happy to be at a place that exists to support their every dream. Best of luck, and I hope that she chooses SMC!</p>
<p>Thank you Epinomis, SMC seems to provide so much my D is looking for, she is really looking forward to visiting and seeing if SMC is a good fit.</p>
<p>I have two recent grads of SMC, one of which was in ND Marching Band. If Saint Mary’s is a good fit for your daughter, then she will participate in band tryouts mid August. The band directors and student leaders will tell you that they can teach you how to march, but they cannot teach attitude. A positive, enthusiastic presence will make a difference! It only worked out with her schedule for one year, but she had a marvelous time and 350 instant friends. </p>
<p>Saint Mary’s can stand on it’s own and is a very special place! I will dearly miss our visits there now that our two have graduated. Good luck to your daughter with her college search! If you or your daughter have any questions, please feel free to send a message. I can help with parent questions and I have two daughters that would be happy to answer any questions your daughter might have.</p>
<p>Oh! Enjoy your visit with your daughter! As an alum of SMC I can only agree with everything written so far~SMC is a life long community of friends and sisters! I graduated now 25 years ago (that just can’t be!!!) and I am still friends with my Saint Mary’s friends. As a senior I worked in the music department, have followed it since, and can attest to the unique blend of tradition and contemporary work going on there. I know that many Saint Mary’s girls participate in the ND band and love it! </p>
<p>Incidently, my daughter is a junior at ND and also a music, vocal performance major. Virtually ALL of the performances she is a part of involve both ND, SMC and HC students. They work together to produce some amazing productions! Good luck to your daughter~I hope it all works out for her!</p>
<p>*If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I’m more than happy to answer any you might have.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your great insight. I am doing as much research as I can before we visit. D is currently at ND for Summer Scholars and having a great time on campus. We are trying to keep all options open but actually SMC may be a better fit for her. The campus visit will tell alot. Looking forward to it.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone. We toured the campus and had an admissions interview. My D loved it. She will definitely be applying this fall. From a mothers standpoint the college is perfect for my D. She wants smaller, involved campus (without sorority influence). SMC has the academics and the study abroad she is looking for. She wants to go, so now begins the scholarship hunt to make it a reality.</p>