Occidental College
Campus Conversations
Majoring in Music at Oxy
Blogger: Jeff Leblow
Hey guys, my name is Jeff and I’m a music major! I think that music at Oxy is probably the most under-represented major in the entire school. I know that when I came in as a Chemistry major, I had almost no exposure to the musical opportunities available to me. Oxy offers opportunities in music to all students, whether that be beginning piano or guitar lessons, a 100-level class about African-American music and culture, or one of our many ensembles which are open to anyone interested in music!
My emphasis is in composition and conducting, and I am a member of the Jazz Ensemble and the Oxy-Caltech Concert Band. Some of the opportunities that I’ve had as a student in the music department have gone above and beyond what I expected life as a music major would be. For example, through the choral conducting course I took as a junior, I’ve been able to make several appearances as a guest conductor with Oxy’s Glee Club and Concert Band, and this winter I’ll be going on tour with the Glee Club, not as a singer, but as a conductor! I’ve been given the opportunity to be creative in a space that’s accepting of all different musical styles. Next semester (my last here at Oxy) I’m presenting almost an hour of all original music in front of friends, colleagues, and family.
The best part is that all of this is only one possible path you can take by studying music at Oxy. Others have explored professional performance, recording in the popular music industry, or even musicology. Oxy’s amazing music department faculty were the selling point for me. Every professor in the music department is dedicated to helping students achieve their creative goals, whatever they may be. While the music major may not be right for everyone, I encourage every student to take one or two courses in music because you never know when you might have a creative epiphany. And besides, learning about music is fun!