Vanderbilt Blair or University of Michigan SMTD (Clarinet)

Hello all! I am a current high school senior, starting college as a Clarinet Performance major in the fall. I do plan on pursuing a double degree or major in either math, biochemistry, or computer science. I have been accepted to Eastman, Oberlin College and Conservatory, University of Michigan, and Vanderbilt. I have pretty much eliminated Oberlin because of the cost (did not receive a large enough scholarship) and Eastman (double degree is not very accessible + the cost is high but i received a decent scholarship). Essentially, I have narrowed my decision down to University of Michigan and Vanderbilt. At University of Michigan, I do like the clarinet teachers a bit more, and I would be able to get 2 degrees, but what has me apprehensive is the potential lack of substantial ensemble experience due to the presence of graduate students competing for ensemble chairs and the large size of the university. At Vanderbilt, however, I received a full scholarship, would have plenty of ensemble experience due to it only being undergraduate, but I would only be able to double major, not pursue a double degree (plus I’m not sure if the music school is at the same level as Michigan). ESSENTIALLY, I’m very torn as to where to go!

My S graduated from UM with a dual degree in cello performance and math. From what I saw of my S’s experience there was no lack of ensemble experience due to competition from grad students. You would want to check on this as far as the requirements for wind majors but as a cellist he was required to be in one of the 2 Orchestras for 8 semesters. The music school makes it a priority for all the music majors to fulfill their requirements.
He had several friends who were clarinetists and they did not seem to lack for ensemble experience, they rotated between the various wind ensembles and orchestras and as far as I could tell they were also in an ensemble every semester. He found that having grad students increased rather than decreased his opportunities as there are grad conducting students who need players for their required recitals and grad composers who need players for their recitals. He was paired with grad students in many smaller chamber groups throughout his time there and teamed up with so many awesome grad collaborative piano students.
Also just anecdotally, his clarinetist friends all loved the clarinet professors at UM.
They are both great schools, can’t go wrong with either choice but I would not hinge the decision on concerns about competition from grad students. There is plenty of opportunity to go around and as I said in my S’s experience having grad students around expanded rather than limited opportunities. Good luck!

Congratulations on some amazing options and tough academic admits! I remember the issue with the double major/degree at Vandy. It’s probably absolutely fine… and I’m sure you can read discussions about it over on the CC Vandy Forum. Weird for a music major though because we thought (or were told) the diploma would read “Bachelor of Music in ‘this instrument’ Performance and ‘other thing’.” In the end my kid (VP major) chose a school with grad students, so that ruled out Vandy. Others here can weigh in on comparing the two schools as Michigan was not in our mix.

I can’t speak to Vandy, but my D graduates from Michigan next week with double degrees in French horn performance and biomedical engineering. She had no issues with ensembles, playing a few semesters in one of the symphonic bands and the rest in one of the orchestras. With horns they sometimes need extras for certain pieces, so some semesters she also filled in for a second orchestra. Additionally she played in chamber groups at various times. Good luck with your decision!

Hello! I just wanted to say I ended up choosing michigan. Also did your daughter complete her degrees in 4 or 5 years? @MomOf2TeenGirls

My D finished in 4 years, but that was with a bunch of AP credit, three summer classes, and overloading (19-20 hours) about half of her semesters. She was intensely busy, but she was self-driven and has no regrets.
Go Blue! I hope you enjoy Michigan!!