What are the best politically conservative schools with a good music program?

College Majors Music Major
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<p>OK, Dads and Moms, I'll be very cautious how I phrase this.</p>

<p>I've asked a few questions earlier and am very grateful for the answers. This forum is the best at what it provides on the Web, bar none, that I've found. So here's another question:</p>

<p>My Bass II-singing, visual arts-loving son's a very conservative young man at this point in time, prior to his HS senior year...I don't want to bore anyone here with describing him by any other way than saying it's the truth. I went to both a small liberal arts college and a big state school for college in the late 70s and early 80s and remember how things were back then. My Mother, who's a JFK-era liberal and retired teacher, shocked me when she said she could not finish Tom Wolfe's extensively-researched-at-multiple-early-2000s-American-universities book "My name is Charlotte Simmons" because it was too intense in terms of morality and promiscuity, so I'm guessing that at best things haven't changed much.</p>

<p>Christians are supposed to be in the world, just not of it. (John</a> 17:14-18). By the same token, I cannot and must not shield my son from the world for the rest of my life - I have to let him go to make his own choices, mistakes and successes, although I'll always be behind him for advice and a hug. With that said, it's understood that there are a lot of people, probably the majority, both in the performing arts community and in life that may not share many of his views, and he needs to be aware of it and to be able to function in it (while still adhering to his own principles) once he leaves college and becomes a musician and artist if that's where he's meant to be.</p>

<p>However, given that college is such a key time in the maturation of many children, I, like the rest of us, want my child to be comfortable wherever he lands. That may or may not involve being enrolled in a more-to-very conservative school. We've got some strong personal reasons for this question, as well. My beautiful "D" is a very talented artistic child who was miserable in public school, and was actually hospitalized for a bit in junior high with major depression. She was terrified of going back to public school although we and her teachers had taken a lot of measures on her behalf, and spent her high school time at a group Christian homeschool. Not for everyone, but it worked out very well for her. She begged my wife and I: "Don't put (our very kind-hearted son) at my old school. They'll tear him up!", referring to the junior-high tormentors she used to fear. My son and I actually prayed about this decision, and visited some Christian high schools in the area. While the kids at the latter schools were nice, my son said at the end of his last visit: "Dad, I don't feel led anywhere but (his sister's old school)", and that was the end of it. From the first day he enrolled things went very well for him, and his first choral teacher there (now studying for her doctorate at Michigan State) really helped start him into the music success he's enjoyed there and at his public high school in a smaller southern state which, though we were neither aware of it nor were thinking we'd be interested in it, may have one of the best vocal music programs for a public school between New York and Los Angeles.</p>

<p>So, a politically conservative school with a good music program (I'm guessing there are a few out there) may not be the place for my son. But if possible I want to be aware of any options. We've visited Baylor - it's, as I understand, not conservative like it may have once been but does have a strong music department. Same with Belmont out of Nashville, which has a strong commercial music program (not the career route my son is interested in so far, but he was very impressed by the music students there). I like Texas Christian University and their music program/facilities but I'd be shocked if it wasn't more "leftward" than BU. The rest of the schools we've visited are pretty much secular, with many DANDY choral and vocal departments. My son may end up at any one of them.</p>

<p>Any suggestions on other schools which might fit the criteria of my thread title here?</p>

<p>(One last note - neither I nor anyone else wants a thread on politics here. It would be against forum rules, and would also deter from all the fine college/music information for parents thats being provided. I'm just curious on school suggestions. Thanks in advance, all.)</p>

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<p>He might consider Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama…excellent voice program there. Southern Methodist will be home to new GWBush Library, and it is not a liberal environment. Belmont turns out fine singers. </p>

<p>However, while it is not necessary to agree with those around you, their behavior, their words, it is important that one learn to accept and be comfortable with others who are different, who think differently, and to respect them for their beliefs. It is difficult to function in a broad professional arena otherwise, and it will limit future options. To isolate and insulate oneself from folks who are different is oxymoronic to what education is. This is not a political comment, but rather an awareness of what a college or university degree represents…an expanded mind, which does not mean that ones own moral center is ignored.</p>

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<p>You have a private message.</p>

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<p>There are conservatives and liberals on every college campus. It is my opinion that your SON should be looking for a school that will meet his educational needs. He can and should check to see what kinds of “clubs” are available (e.g. Young Republicans, or a Christian group if that is what he seeks). My guess is he will be able to find politically and religiously like minded folks no matter where he goes.</p>

<p>Perhaps he should look at universities that meet the conservative requirement and also have the music program he is looking for.</p>

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<p>We know a conservative Christian young woman who is having an excellent music experience at Houghton. She’s a violinist, though; don’t know about their voice program.</p>

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<p>Based on our experience visiting many music schools for two different kids, we have perceived that music programs (and vocal performance programs in particular) tend to be more left-leaning and, shall we say, “tolerant” than the colleges and universities that house them. It doesn’t really bother my kids, but it is a different element of music education than they were used to prior to college. Even at the more socially and politically conservative schools, we have found that the vocal performance programs tend to be more left-leaning. A lot of artsy kids are liberal – it seems. And college-aged kids in general tend to be more liberal, across the board. So, based on our experience, even at a conservative university, your son may well end up in a “tolerant” environment, for lack of a better word, surrounded by kids who do not share his politically and regiously conservative views.</p>

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<p>I was going to suggest both SMU and Houghton. Luther, Concordia, St. Olaf perhaps. And it doesn’t fit everyone’s cup of tea, but there is a very solid music program at Brigham Young.</p>

<p>And for the most part, echoing some other comments, virtually all but a handful of some very specific, specialized schools are a microcosm of society as a whole. lorelei and thumper speak wisdom.</p>

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<p>Check out Columbus State in Columbus, GA. My daughter is there, studying voice and theatre education. There is the usual wide range of kids, but I know there is a significant group of Christian kids at the music school. And it appears the general student population is tolerant of the more conservative and/or Christian kids. The school fosters a supportive environment for all the students. </p>

<p>The facilities are beautiful, and I think it is the premier public music school in GA. Many of the vocal students have church choir jobs in the area. </p>

<p>Shorter in Rome, Ga is a small Baptist school with a very strong vocal tradition. CSU and Shorter would be two choices in GA with good vocal music programs that you might consider.</p>

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<p>Michelle Malkin went to Oberlin ;)</p>

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<p>I know we are trying to be sensitive politically with this subject. But I feel the need to say that I have difficulty with the concept that “left-leaning” and “tolerant” are synonymous. That implies that “right-leaning” is not “tolerant”. </p>

<p>Let’s stick to the terms liberal and conservative and others without labeling them in positive or negative ways.</p>

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<p>^Sorry, henrob. I did not mean to offend. And I did not mean to make any such association or to imply that right-leaning is not “tolerant” while left-leaning is tolerant. I think you were the one who read positive or negative implications into my use of the word, because I had no such thoughts in my mind as I wrote.</p>

<p>“Liberal” and “conservative” do not really depict what it is that I was thinking about as I wrote. Furthermore, people can be religiously, politically, or socially conservative or liberal, and not necessarily all 3 of the same. </p>

<p>One of my sons is actually a music major at SMU, which is one of the schools that violadad said he was thinking of in regards to OP’s post. I had SMU in mind as I wrote that post, in fact. And here’s what I was thinking … SMU is in general a pretty conservative campus as campuses go. But, my family would characterize it as politically conservative, possibly socially conservative, and not so much religiously conservative. The OP seemed to be looking for religiously conservative, I thought, when I read his post. So, if I simply used the word conservative – well, it wouldn’t have accurately described our view of the campus. I used the word “tolerant” because at SMU, and particularly at the Meadows School of the Arts, all students and all lifestyles are welcome and tolerated and accepted. So, if for example, one was opposed to homosexuality, as many religiously conservative people are, one might be disappointed to learn that it is widely accepted at Meadows, which tends to be kind of politically conservative but not religiously conservative. Socially, it seems to be a mixed bag.</p>

<p>You can probably see why words escaped me.</p>

<p>Meadows specifically, as opposed to the general campus, is probably more socially liberal, but still somewhat politically conservative. There is a wide range of diversity within Meadows, particularly in relation to the rest of the campus. I intended for people to read between the lines, in my hopes to not offend.</p>

<p>And that is why " ‘tolerant,’ for lack of a better word" came to my mind as I typed. I was at a loss for words to describe what I was thinking without offending. (And yet, my comments still managed to offend.) You must admit, it’s a very touchy subject. Conservative and liberal, and the whole concept of “diversity” means different things to different people. Different things offend different people … and it’s hard to find just the right words.</p>

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<p>^My whole goal, btw, was to share my family’s college search experience with the OP. I think I understand what he’s asking, and I wanted him to know that, in our experience, schools of music, and associated schools of the arts, tend to be a little left-leaning socially. Our opinions, based on our limited experiences.</p>

<p>Like the OP, I hope to not be involved in discussions of politics.</p>

<p>I have no specific schools to suggest, other than the one he already mentioned (Baylor), because all the ones we’ve visited had more left-leaning music schools even when the campus in general was more right-leaning. SMU came to mind as well – but I know for a fact that Meadows is not really a right-leaning school of music, though there’s probably a higher percentage of <em>politically</em> conservative voters there than in many schools of music. Just guessing that this is true – again, based on my family’s personal experience alone.</p>

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<p>Liberty University has an impressive music department and you would be hard pressed to find a more conservative environment.</p>

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<p>Wheaton in Illinois is worth looking at. Strong music program, I believe to be more on the religiously and socially conservative side of the spectrum.</p>

<p>I teach at James Madison Univ. In VA, which has a strong music program. From the perspective of someone outside of the student culture it seems to me that JMU is a school that is very accepting of many different points of view. Many students are involved with on-campus church related groups and off campus churches in town… Many students are not… but, all seem to respect the others’ beliefs. Same with politics for the most part. Generally speaking, JMU feels pretty balanced and moderate. This is not from a student pov, however. Not sure if students would express different perspectives than my perception as a faculty member.</p>

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<p>Not to sound disrespectful in any way.</p>

<p>I grew up in a much more liberal house-hold, and my parents were dissalosiuned with religion and, though I was forced through years of Hebrew School and a bar mitzfah, i left high school done with religion and generally not thinking well of the concept. i am still an agnostic, though since spending time at a religious school (though it was far from conservative–Loyola New Orleans) I was shown that religion can be great of some people and is far from just a means of social control. I was really glad (even though i transfered out) that I experienced being somewhere completely different then what I origionaly wanted (an urban east-coast school).
I would think twice before sending your son to a conservative, traditional school; especially if thats the environment he grew up in. I also would’nt send him somewhere like Bard college. Id advise looking for something different, but where he will not be looked down upon for his ideals and beliefs. My school was religious (mass every sunday and named after a saint) and there a handful of kids who were dedicated christians who did not engage in drinking, drugs or premarital relations, and plenty of people who were faithful but lived differently, and plenty of people who had no (or no significant) religious affiliation.
There were also people who went drinking 7 nights a week (the average from people I knew was about 3). Music students however, are more likely to be practicing most nights (though going out on weekends occasionaly is not out of the question. I would consider that, if your son is serious about his faith he will find a peer group (at the right institution, which does not neccesarily have to be particularly conservative) where he can socialize without indulging in the parts of college life that many parents hope (or tell themselves) there kids avoid.</p>

<p>I would also strongly consider the fact that socially conservative may also mean the school is artistically conservative. CLassical or jazz musician or pop musician, a musician or artist is a musician or artist, you do not want your son somewhere where he will only be encouraged to persue one aspect of an extremely multifaceted artform–he may get discouraged, fail to find his niche or miss out on an opportunity to do something amazing.</p>

<p>All in all, I would not neccesarily (especially for the visual or performing arts) place consertave or christian schools above others (a visit will tell you about whether a secular or more left-leaning school is tolerant of those like your son and whether he will thrive). I would also consider that he very much enjoyed the experience of public school over a religious high school or home schooling and that you want him to be open minded with others- a trait he may or may not develop if he is in an environment consisting soley or predominantly of those like him.</p>

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<p>In addition to other programs already listed, might want to check out Furman in SC and Mercer in GA. I know that Furman has a great voice dept. Don’t know about Mercer’s, but I do know several instrumental musicians who went there and liked it.</p>

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<p>As much as I agree with a couple of the posters that it’s best to not insulate a student and it’s good to learn to interact with those who don’t share like views, it’s tough to start school as a freshman. I understand the desire to not have to fight ideological battles along with everything else you’re dealing with as a new college student.</p>

<p>Both my kids go to more liberal-leaning schools (UW-Madison and Peabody). And, they fit in with those liberal mindsets. Along the way, both have mentioned having interactions with kids who are very conservative and have said that those kids feel they have to defend their positions regularly in the face of criticism. It can get hairy.</p>

<p>If your S is up for those confrontations, or is comfortable just laying low and not getting involved in discussions, I wouldn’t worry about the conservative or liberal atmospheres. But, most kids aren’t that tough as 18-year-olds. I think it’s smart to thoughtfully consider this ideology question…perhaps looking for a school that’s middle of the road and has an atmosphere where he can dip his toe in the water of liberal interactions, but isn’t bombarded?</p>

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<p>In my view, college is a time for questioning beliefs, and not enriching yourself in the same views you left high school with. </p>

<p>I think it’s also good practice to learn how to get a long with all sorts of people. If your son is going into music, he’s going to meet people with ALL sorts of views. </p>

<p>That being said, look at Belmont.</p>

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<p>Consider Wheaton or Liberty as well.</p>

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<p>I am conservative myself, as is my family. No disrespect to the other posters, but this person clearly has an interest in sending theirs to a conservative school first and foremost. They were not particularly asking for the views of the world and on why they should not be looking for a conservative school first. I think that these comments should respect the OP’s opinions, and not try to change their whole thought process. </p>

<p>That being said, look into Wheaton. Know someone who’s doing well there.</p>