wmgan

Hi, is anyone applying for the new Bard College Conservatory of Music? I think it's really interesting that everyone there has to do a double degree. I do want to apply, but my high school limits us to 8 college applications... sigh... now trying to decide between Bard and Lawrence (from what I've read in Fiske, I got the impression they're like on opposite ends of the spectrum - Bard being extremely liberal and Lawrence being very conservative, is this true?)...

If anyone knows about the auditions in Asia I would greatly appreciate info too... I'm currently studying in Singapore so if I could audition nearby it would be wonderful.

fiddlefrog

I'm definitely applying. The idea of being around lots of other academically oriented musicians is so exciting. What's your instrument? Who do you want to study with? I'm a violinist, hoping to study with Arnold Steinhart. I also compose, so the composition requirement and the presence of Joan Tower is appealing, too.
But as for Lawrence: totally different story. I think it's a pretty good school, but their faculty is not as good as Bard's, at least for music. Moreover, it's certainly not conservative! Bard is liberal, yes, but Lawrence is pretty out there according to a friend of mine who's there now. Lots of drugs and sex, from what he's said, as I guess is to be expected from a school located in rural Wisconsin.

wmgan

Thanks, fiddlefrog. I'm a pianist, hoping to study with Peter Serkin. I've also done some composition and though it won't be my major at the beginning, I agree that it will be exciting to get a chance to work with such luminaries as Joan Tower.

I've decided to apply to both Bard and Lawrence and see what I get - financial aid is the most important factor for me - I originally intended to try for a double-degree at Peabody/Hopkins but I changed my mind about the place.

What academic major do you have in mind? I'm hoping to pursue cognitive science, but as Bard doesn't have that major, I'll probably do computer science or math first.

fiddlefrog

I'm definitely a humanities type-- literature of some sort for me, almost certainly, or maybe philosophy or religion. Good luck with your auditions and applications! Where else are you applying? I'm probably applying for the Peabody/Hopkins program you mentioned, as well as to Yale, NEC/Harvard joint degree, Rice, CIM, Vanderbilt, and maybe Indiana.

wmgan

I'm really really hoping to get into Yale's DD program!

fiddlefrog

Do you know Jonathan Ong from Singapore, a violinist who now studies at Eastman with Lynn Blakeselee? I know it's odd to ask just because you're from the same country, but he said that he knows most Singaporean musicians. I met him this summer at the Texas Music Festival.

wmgan

Yes I know him - we were in the same high school! (He transferred to Eastman in the equivalent of Grade 11.) It's true that most musicians in Singapore know each other - Singapore IS an extremely small country!! =)

fiddlefrog

Jonathan seems to miss Singapore very much. I wonder if you were one of the people he always called late at night on his cell phone... Indeed he is young to be at Eastman. He and I are the same age, but he'll be a junior in college when I'm a freshman.

wmgan

Sorry, I didn't notice your last message until today!!!

But no, I'm not one of those people he called. We weren't that close.

musicallylatin

BUMP!

Ha, I'm intersted in Bard.

Actually, currently, I'm looking into their Simon's Rock AEP.

I was wondering if anyone knew the strength of their music program.

violadad

In reality, these are two distinct programs, at different locations. Just so you don't confuse Bard at Simon's Rock with the joint Bard College/Conservatory programs, here''s a few past threads.

opinions from alumni or applicants to Bard double degree...
Welcome n8ma from Bard Conservatory

I have seen prior threads about Simon's Rock on both the Selection and Search and College Admissions forums. You might get specific info there.

From a quick overview, it's not the typical music program discussed here. While I have no more to offer, others here might.

musicallylatin

I realized, just didn't want to start up an entirely new thread.

Thank you for the info and threads!

-Allmusic-

I believe the Director of Music Admissions from Bard posts here. I hope he sees your post, and can provide some additional information.

N8Ma

Hello musicallylatin--

I'm glad I logged on to CC today! The deadline for AEP was February 1st. You will be eligible for AEP if you are in 10th or 11th grade next February. If you are very interested in starting at S-R this fall, you'd need to have an application in by April 15 in order to waive the application fee and have priority consideration for financial aid.

There is a solid music dept. there as well. The chair is a noted composer, PhD from Columbia (actually most S-R faculty have Ivy or other high-level "pedigrees"), his wife is a great cellist with European training, there are other applied faculty as well. However with only 400 or so students total at any time, very large ensembles (band, symphony orchestra) do not exist. Like any liberal arts college, music ensembles will vary depending on current student enrollment. It is not comparable to arts boarding schools like Interlochen, Idyllwild, or NCSA in any way--the students at S-R are in (a liberal arts) college, and treat their experience there as such.

Great Barrington, MA is 1+ hours from Bard's main campus in Annandale. Bard also operates two public schools, Bard High School Early College, down in New York City.

musicallylatin

I'm looking into applying for the spring semester. I've been emailing off and on with admins, but apprehensive due to a lack of knowledge about the music program.

Thank you for the info. S-R seems to have most of what I'm looking for. I'm not sure if I want the total arts focused, although it's a thought. That's why S-R seems to interest me a lot. The music programs here, no matter where you go, aren't too strong at all.