<p>nycm, Smith has a strong and vibrant music program. You should take a look at Smith’s extensive music performance schedule on the website; you will not be disappointed. Lessons are very much available; the orchestra is strongly supported, averaging probably about 60 members. I’m less knowledgeable about the chamber music possibilities but you can research that easily by simply calling the Music Department and asking some focused questions that can include how many music majors there are. My daughter chose not to play violin in the orchestra at Smith because she wanted to devote her energies in other directions, but she has kept her hand in for all four years by singing in the Smith College Chorus (for First Years) and the Glee Club (for upperclassmen) and she has truly loved it with multiple opportunities for performance. The music instruction at Smith is superb. The concerts (we only live 1-1/2 hours away) are always impressive and very often blissful. Her sophomore year they sang the Bach B minor Mass with Cornell Men’s Glee Club (1 hour, 45 minutes of constant runs!) and this spring in her senior year, they’re singing Carmina Burana with the UVA Glee Club. We brought a friend of ours (New England Conservatory-trained) to hear the Bach B minor Mass and he declared it was the best performance of the Mass he’d ever heard.</p>
<p>[Smith</a> College: Music](<a href=“http://www.smith.edu/music/]Smith”>Music | Smith College)
[Smith</a> College: Music](<a href=“http://www.smith.edu/music/calendar.php]Smith”>http://www.smith.edu/music/calendar.php)</p>
<p>I have seen the orchestra perform; there is something very powerful and empowering about all women making music, where ALL the sections of the orchestra are women, even the timpani and brass. You won’t get that at Amherst. </p>
<p>Although this may not be up your alley because you’re thinking of more of a performance /conservatory experience, there is a recent Smith graduate who’s getting her PhD in the highly, highly competitive program at Princeton. If you are interested in learning more about this student’s experience, you should PM Mini, whose daughter is at Princeton. </p>
<p>I hope this information helps. Good luck!</p>