<p>I am an undergrad music theory/comp major who is interested in grad school at U of C.
However, they seem to focus on music academically. I was wondering if anyone knows how much room the school leaves for the creativity/expression of music. I love academic music. but then there is always the danger of making it nothing more that something to analyze. I want to go to grad school somewhere where I will be challenged (yet still able to succeed at what I do) but also encouraged to be creative and think outside the box. Does U of C have room for this, or is it just the place to go if you want to be brainy but not creative?</p>
<p>Are you asking about music performance? Chicago has performance opportunities, but not a performance program, per se. If you attend school here, you will have the chance to perform, but it will not be a requirement and we do not have any performance majors or degree programs…</p>
<p>No, I do not want to be a performance major. I would want to major in composition. However, even in the academic field of composition, I feel there is still a degree of creativity and fun that should take place. So what I was asking is, although U of C is extremely strong academically, does their music program (composition specifically for me) still allow for combining fun and creativity with academic music study? I have seen a lot of posts on this site where people are saying that U of C has no room for fun - just brains. I love the idea of being somewhere where the academics are super strong, but not at the expense of my creative side.</p>
<p>I think answer is yes, but I’m not sure that I really understand your question.</p>
<p>musicmajor2, you’re asking whether the music department here approaches art with creativity? I think that’s a given.</p>