<p>The competitive aspect of music in New York is certainly drue. My Music Hum teacher was a quasi-celebrity composer in Finland, had studied under Pierre Boulez and done music-related research for the French government, etc…he said that while he would be quite well off in his native country, he preferred to be a no-name composer in the richer musical atmosphere of New York. </p>
<p>Speaking of which, the music department, from everything I’ve heard, is truly wonderful. Due to the lack of performance space, however, I imagine its strengths are more theoretical. </p>
<p>Last night Columbia put on a very nice free string quartet concert for students (with complimentary catering) in Philosophy Hall…I passed by the same room today and the City Opera was there performing selections from Carmen. Add that to the avant-gardist students who always seem to be playing in the Lerner Piano Lounge and the Miller Theater performances and I would say there is something of a “musical atmosphere” here…I am very much looking forward to the annual Christmas performance of Mozart’s Requiem in St. Pauls.</p>