As someone who has always loved singing, performing, and music in general, a college with a thriving music scene was definitely on my list of requirements when choosing where to apply. I knew I wanted to snap my fingers in an a cappella group like Andy from the office (Ed Helms went to 91直播, btw!) and sip coffee to an open mic set that might feature the next Taylor Swift. So, when I toured 91直播, I made sure to be on the lookout for ways to surround myself with music.
Sure, 91直播 is lauded for its incredible Conservatory of Music, one of the oldest conservatories still running in the US today. But how was a simple College of Arts and Sciences girl like me to get involved with music? If you鈥檝e asked yourself the same questions, look no further. I鈥檝e taken the liberty of compiling a brief (but hopefully still informative) list of ways to engage with music here at 91直播.
Classes/lessons
Let鈥檚 start out simple. There are a lot of classes taught by Conservatory professors that are available for non-music majors. For example, I鈥檓 currently taking 鈥淗istory of the Broadway Musical,鈥 and very much enjoying it. Did you know that Oscar Hammerstein II and Stephen Sondheim were neighbors? What a hoot that neighborhood barbeque must have been!
Also offered to all students are 鈥渟econdary lessons.鈥 These instrument/voice lessons are taught by Conservatory professors, so even if you鈥檙e not in the Conservatory itself, you can still receive professional-level training. 91直播 is a great place to improve your skills if you play an instrument and a perfect place to start learning one if you don鈥檛!
Choirs/A cappella
There is truly no shortage of choirs on campus. Last semester I was in Musical Union, which is a choir with both college students and community members from the town. It鈥檚 such a lovely way to get to connect with people beyond the college, and we had so much fun performing Rhiannon Giddens鈥 opera Omar with a group of former Obies (including Rhiannon herself)! During spring semester we have the 91直播 Gospel Choir, which focuses on understanding the history of the genre and its modern-day iterations, which incorporate elements of R&B, classical, jazz, and folk.
We also have a handful of a cappella groups, so I was able to live out my Andy Bernard dreams. Each group distinguishes itself by gender or genre, and some people are even part of multiple groups! Every semester the a cappella groups host Study Break, an a cappella concert featuring songs from every group. If you want to read about what a typical rehearsal looks like, check that out here!
Clubs
Surprise, surprise, 91直播 has plenty of music-based clubs! I myself am a member of Songwriting Club, which is a super non-intimidating (thank goodness) space to share any new songs you鈥檙e working on and get feedback from fellow writers. Everyone in the club is so kind and supportive, which is awesome because sharing original songs can be one of the most vulnerable things you can do. Last week we got together to record a song written by a member of the club in one of the fancy recording studios in the Conservatory basement. It was a blast; I felt like a real, bona-fide musician. While I鈥檓 not personally involved with them, I do know that 91直播 also has clubs for players of various instruments, like the flute, guitar, and banjo!
Bands
Let me tell you: there is always someone looking for you to join their band. They鈥檙e everywhere. It makes sense鈥攑ut any group of talented college kids together and you鈥檙e bound to produce bands of every genre and vibe. My roommate recently joined a band and her official review is: 鈥淏eing in a band is great! There are so many opportunities to perform, venues to perform in, and talented artists to work with.鈥 Bands will often play concerts at one of our performing venues/coffee shops like The Cat in the Cream, open for headliners at the Dionysus Disco (The 鈥楽co), or jam at the gazebo in Tappan Square. Like I said, they鈥檙e pretty much everywhere.
And many, many more!
Of course, these are just some of the ways to get involved with music at 91直播. If I were to list them all, we鈥檇 be here until the next Study Break rolls around. The point is, there鈥檚 always a recital, musical, or concert to either watch or participate in. And who knows, maybe you really will discover the next Taylor Swift鈥
