<p>You would definitely be a big fish in a small pond at Wesleyan if you are a strong enough player to have been accepted to Eastman. </p>
<p>There’s no comparing the general level of playing at the two places, though there are some excellent string players, pianists, and a good orchestra conductor at Wesleyan. Unfortunately the numbers are small and the private teaching is inconsistent. My son had an excellent piano teacher at Wesleyan and got into top conservatories for graduate school. He had a wonderful partnership with a cello student at Wes, but she ended up taking lessons at Yale when she felt she couldn’t find the right teacher at Wesleyan. </p>
<p>My son started out as a philosophy major at Wes and took on music as a double major soon after getting involved in the program. He liked his theory and music history classes and was in great demand to play in ensembles, accompany the opera, eventually winning the concerto competition and getting a lot of performance experience. Not sure he would have been as successful in a larger program. He loved Wes and wouldn’t have traded the academic or musical experience for anything. But it’s not for everyone!</p>
<p>Starky gave you some great advice, above. Lots of good luck as you figure this out! You’ve got some great options ahead of you.</p>