My daughter received her acceptance offer at Bard Conservatory for this fall, for piano performance. She is curious about choosing the Computational Science major as her academic major, which has prerequisite courses before moderation. This could be a strategy for her to side hustle as a freelance data professional as a way to finance her artistic career after graduation.
However, we are not sure if a double degree in music and Computational Science is a realistic workload. Or would an academic major in humanities or social sciences be more manageable?
Would appreciate insights.
Look up the major requirements and course sequencing for both the conservatory major and the academic major to see if they can be fit into an 8-semester schedule (including any other requirements beyond the majors). Be sure to check if any required courses are only offered in certain semesters.
Note that music performance courses and computer science courses with programming projects are often high workload.
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Thank you. That’s what I’ve been thinking also.
With Bard Conservatory, the program is 5 years since all conservatory students are required to take an academic dual degree.
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Congratulations on her acceptance! One thing that may work in her favor is that piano performance should have fewer ensemble classes (orchestra or small ensemble) compared to other instruments. This may allow a little more flexibility in her schedule.
Perhaps she can map out what her first few years might look like and envision fitting in all of those individual practice hours (generally a huge amount for piano) within that class schedule.
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I was just reading about the current principal oboist for the LA Chamber Orchestra who studied at Bard and earned a BM in Oboe Performance, a BA in Piano Performance and a BA in East Asian Studies.
My kids are slackers. 
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I was looking at the computational sciences and it is somewhat mislabeled. It is closer to Computer Science which may or may not be good depending on their interests. Certainly, would help with jobs but it strays into classic CS topics like systems design and programming language design.
However, another option that might mix well with the arts is the Data Analytics program which is a mix of lighter computing specific for data science purposes and also touches on the subject matter/domain knowledge like psych and Econ and such. So, more like some of the social data analytics programs elsewhere.
The data analytics degree wouldn’t get you pure CS jobs doing software development but it would better position them for data science and data analytics jobs. Take a look. https://dataanalytics.bard.edu/
Note that this is a concentration so I don’t know if that satisfies the dual major requirement but this might be the less intense entry into computing.
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My son got his double degree from the conservatory and college in 2014, so some of my knowledge is dated. But I will say that the conservatory is absolutely set up to accommodate the double degree - it’s in its DNA. And the STEM offerings at Bard have been growing and deepening over the last decade. The academics at Bard are phenomenal - as long as your D is engaged and curious, there’s no limit to what she can get out of the program. There is not the breadth of offerings of a larger university - but the depth is there once she dives in. My son went on to a top grad school for an MM but took courses across the university and not just in the School of Music - and was absolutely prepared in every different course he took across a wide range of disciplines.
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Congrats. My kid was just admitted as well. Admissions director readily connected her with a Conservatory student to talk about what classes were like, course loads, student life. We won’t have a chance to visit so meeting potential classmates is important to us.
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I have 2 sons at Bard, both are string students at the conservatory and both are studying physics as well. The 5 year program is a wonderful option for those with strong interests in music performance and a 2nd area. The extra year makes it manageable and it is important to listen the the advisors and not stack on too many credits in a semester with the thought of finishing early. Although a schedule may seem light when they work it out, they need to take into consideration that there is a pretty good amount time needed for practice and rehearsals.
Very happy for my boys decisions, they have always been strong academically in all areas and musically as well. They had quite a few college options and are thriving at Bard.
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