harp on campus

ChiSquare · 02-23-2008, 11:03 AM

I realize this is a topic that will be of little interest to 99% of you, but I was wondering if anyone can recommend a small (<3000), liberal arts school that has a harp instructor and a school harp on campus. My D is a harpist and would like to continue studying the instrument in college, but not as a music major. So far on her list are St Olaf and Ill Wesleyan. We will be visiting Willamette, Puget Sound, and Lewis & Clark over spring break. Any midwest or east coast options anyone can recommend? This is not something that is easily gleaned from a google search.

ChiSquare · 02-23-2008, 11:17 AM

Oh, yes, Oberlin.... I wish. But D is not interested. I'm guessing she would be intimidated by the seriously interested and seriously gifted music students. She does not want to major in music, and just wants to take harp as an elective, hence Berklee in Boston (if you mean the music school) is not an option.

meredesfilles · 02-23-2008, 12:04 PM

I remember seeing a harp at DePauw University, Greencaslte, IN. Total enrollment around 2400.

They do have a professor/harpist and you can take music instructions as a non-music major. I do not know if the harp is one of the instruments that is offered.

DePauw University

ChiSquare · 02-23-2008, 12:42 PM

Thanks for the DePauw tip - I just shot an e-mail in their direction.

cmbmom · 02-23-2008, 12:45 PM

I do not know a thing about colleges with harp instruction. But if I may, if your daughter ever has the time to volunteer and share her gift, suggest she call any local hospital. The oncology floor where I used to work had harpists playing in the halls several hours a week. The patients, families and staff LOVED the beautiful music. It lowered the commotion and staff noise on the floor, and was really appreciated by everyone.

nngmm · 02-23-2008, 12:48 PM

I don't know if Swarthmore has a harp on campus, but the students take lessons from private teachers in Philadelphia (the college pays some/all tuition based on auditions), so I am pretty sure an instructor would be possible to find.

Bromfield · 02-23-2008, 02:25 PM

This is similar to nngmm's suggestion--the Boston area has any number of great colleges and universities in addition to the Boston Conservatory--which I know has harp instruction. My neighbor's dd is at the Conservatory and she is a harpist.

cathymee · 02-23-2008, 04:08 PM

Chisquare
if you haven't already,shoot your question over on the music major discussion area. There are some extremely knowledgable music parents over there who can probably help you out.

bethievt · 02-23-2008, 04:16 PM

I thought Grinnell might. I googled it and they have 5 harps for student use, 3 courses and a harp ensemble.

violadad · 02-23-2008, 04:27 PM

ChiSquare- I'd look here first Suggestions of Colleges with Music Majors.

Harp is both a competitive instrument (for performance majors) and a I would assume a very desireable instrument for smaller music programs.

You may not find a harp instructor on faculty at schools that don't offer a performance degree in the instrument. Also, some programs will provide or subsidize an off- campus private instructor, some won't.

If you identify some schools and look deeply at the music school webpages, you'll find specific policies, ensemble opportunities for non-majors and lessons for non-majors.

St. Olaf is a very good music program. The poster lgreen has a harpist d studying performance at Vanderbilt. You may want to PM her for insights.

Like cathymee said, you can also post your question in the Music Major forum.

Good luck.

FresnoMom · 02-23-2008, 04:41 PM

I took up the folk harp last year and love it!

Good luck!

juba2jive · 02-23-2008, 06:15 PM

Wake Forest is a little bigger (4100 students) but does offer individual harp instruction. I would assume that that means that they have a harp for use...

asinine · 02-23-2008, 06:27 PM

I know you're looking for a small school, but Princeton has a pretty good harp program. The harpist, Elaine Christie, is very accomplished and is very amiable. If you're willing to have a slightly larger school I'm sure your D will have a great time.

Otherwise you could try Barnard in NYC since it's right across from the Manhattan School of Music which also has a harp.

momrath · 02-23-2008, 07:35 PM

ChiSquare, Williams has an excellent music department, including an instructor who specializes in harp. Elizabeth Morse | Williams College Music

There are many performance opportunities for non-majors and of course, the acdemics are very good.

ChiSquare · 02-24-2008, 11:50 AM

Wow, I'm overwhelmed by the response for what I presumed would be an esoteric question. Thanks so much, everyone. And as a brand new member, I had not realized that there was a discussion board here devoted to music - I'll try to find my way to it.

I just told my D that some of you have mentioned Grinnell - a wonderful school, to be sure, and just a couple hours south of us. Her response: "But Mom, it's in Iowa!"

Sigh.