<p>My D is now a firstie at MHC and in the Big Band Jazz, and LOVING it. It’s her second term in BBJ and it IS a big band, which is surprising given the size of the college. At least 2 big performances per semester. Formal band practices are 1.5 times each week on average (1.5 hours each) for 1 academic credit. She has also been taking lessons, 1+ hour for 2 credits (must pay $$ if not a declared major). The MHC BBJ web site at the MHC website is not updated since no one wants to do it, but it is updated on Facebook. My D is, today anyway, planning to major or minor in music at MHC, and finds the music courses to be fine. (She will also major in something else). She can get lessons at MHC or at any of the other 4 colleges of the 5-college consortium (Smith, Hampshire, Amherst, UMass-Amherst), depending upon who has what when, and her schedule. Last term at MHC, this term at UMass. I attended a December BBJ performance, and it was top notch. Every March, BBJ has a 40’s “Radio Show”, featuring the band and the gleeks. MHC certainly is not a conservatory and is filled with some very serious students in every possible major. The number of music majors is rather intimate, I think 12 at any one time. But it seems that many non-majors are interested and participate in music. FYI, there is also a symphony orchestra at MHC. But don’t expect an acceptance to MHC SOLELY because you are an AWESOME trombone player, e.g., and a so-so student. You do, however, have to be a girl. ;)</p>