Each spring, advanced music students have the opportunity to study abroad in Strasbourg, France, as part of the Music Performance program. Program alum Marie outlines the five reasons why music students should study abroad!
1. The conservatoire!
This one might be a no brainer, but the chance to study at a conservatory for a semester is amazing! Not only do you get your private lessons with a top-notch instructor who will likely bring you a new perspective on your playing (it did for everyone my year), you also might have the chance to play in their ensembles! While studying in Strasbourg in 2020, our percussionist was able to play in the HUGE percussion weekend festival that went on, and we got to go watch him. It was amazing to see the music scene that Strasbourg has and how connected it is to their community. The conservatory has lessons all the way from kindergarten students up to the collegiate level. So you can tell how important music is to the community. Check out this video for a tour of the conservatoire!
2. The music classes and professors
We were taught music history by a professor from the conservatory and music theory and ear training by a composer in the area. Both teachers were phenomenal, and it was incredible to learn from them material-wise but also through their life experiences. Watch this video to get to know two principal professors!
3. Access to so many concerts
Especially at Strasbourg, there is a special emphasis on allowing students access to different variety of concerts. We attended a free concert from the orchestra every month, and tickets to the opera were only 5 euros. When we went to Germany, we saw almost one concert a day, all free for us! There are also great community music ventures that you can attend if you know they are happening.
4. The Signature Seminar for music students
In the Strasbourg program, music students take a weeklong seminar trip to Germany, including Berlin and Leipzig, with the professor from the Conservatory, Professor Weber. We traveled to museums, orchestra performances, operas, dance performances and ended in the church where Bach worked for a lot of his life. It is an incredible chance to learn, and it is tons of fun! Professor Weber has so many personal connections to Germany, and it was so interesting to learn from him.
5. There’s more time to focus on music
Studying abroad is a great way to get a new perspective on music. At Syracuse, many music students have involved themselves in so many different activities, and while that is amazing, traveling abroad to study gives you time to step back and focus on your personal music-making, and to better connect with your own musicianship.
Learn more about the Strasbourg Center & Music Performance Program.
Written by Marie Svoboda ’21, College of Visual and Performing Arts