<p>Each of the Ivy music parameters differ widely, and that is why you need to thoroughly investigate the individual websites. Lesson policies vary, as do applied faculty. At Harvard, I believe that instruction is through private teachers (not faculty), but may be fully or partially subsidized by the school. I would have to refresh my memory. Yale instrumental students are typically taught by grad and DMA students from Yale SOM, rarely with Yale SOM faculty, and that when it happens is at the sole discretion of the specific instructor. Other students choose to study privately. Most instrumentalists at Princeton will study privately in my experience. Columbia offers some performance faculty, but a number study privately as well.</p>
<p>These can be great experiences for certain individuals, yet tend to lend themselves more to solo type instrumental study and small ensemble/collaborative work and can be disappointing if one is seeking intense preparation for a more orchestrally centered career. The full depth of instrumentation is not always fully represented, and it some instances peer quality may be a bit lacking. I would not equate the level of music at Stanford with the others you cite. Yale has the most depth across all ensembles and instrumentation. If your purpose was solely the academics of music, or composition many of the Ivys are fine choices. If you seek a high level of academics, and an excellent musical background, these may work, but again they are not conservatories, and cannot be compared to the intensity of training one will get from a conservatory (or conservatory level program attached to an academic institution). Yet, they are top choices for undergrad pursuit in the music academic disciplines. </p>
<p>The BA approach to music is an academically centered curriculum, with the majority of the coursework in the liberal arts disciplines; on average roughly 25-35% of all credits will be in the music field, encompassing theory, history, musicology, aural training and applied skills, ensemble requirements. The BM curriculum, which is what is typical of conservatory programs is music heavy, fewer academic non-music requirements, on average 25-35% in those fields, potentially fewer still in the strict conservatory environments requiring minimal academics.</p>
<p>The admit numbers I quoted are for the specific dual institution programs mentioned. They require admission and acceptance to BOTH schools individually, one via academics, the other by audition, against the best and brightest of applicant pools. Even those admitted to both are not guaranteed admission to the dual programs. Hence, the extremely low numbers. Theses are not main stream programs. They go beyond being highly selective.</p>
<p>Personally, the quality of instruction at RCM, or Guildhall, or any number of the UK and continental conservatory programs is equivalent to what can be achieved in the US.
There are many programs in the US where you can partake of both high level academics and conservatory level programs among them Rice/Shepherd, Oberlin, Bard. Bard mandates a dual pursuit in an academic field for music performance majors and is designed as a five year program. Are they Harvard, or Yale? No, but they are highly selective US institutions that allow you to do both.</p>
<p>These topics have been addressed countless times in the music forum and I am happy to pull thread links. </p>
<p>Part of the issue is if you are looking for a potential performance career, or an academic based career in a non-music field. You need to determine your focus and path. This may help [Peabody</a> Institute - Conservatory Admissions: The Double Degree Dilemma](<a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/doubledegree]Peabody”>http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/doubledegree)</p>
<p>If you limit yourselves to only these options, you need to meet the academic standards for admission. There is no audition based component. Your musical talents may be worth a data point or two, and your competition may well be more highly qualified academically, and of equal or greater musical talent. The dual enrollment programs I specified are even more competitive, combining the most highly selective academic criteria and the highest audition standard. And that is a double whammy. </p>
<p>You may well suffer from a father that appears to have a fixation on a name or a reputation
of an institution in guaranteeing your future. I know of no reasonable means of changing that. The name on the stone edifice (or the name of your private instructor) does not guarantee anything.</p>
<p>I wish you luck.</p>
<p>Added: (you can add URochester/EastmanSOM and Johns Hopkins/Peabody to the names I offered. Northwestern is another.)</p>