April 1, 2021
10 Reasons to Choose 6ͼ and 6ͼ
By: Ella Sobkowicz
6ͼ’s Newsroom includes a student-led blog with posts covering a variety of topics, including the 6ͼ admissions process, student life, and interviews with faculty, students and alumni. 6ͼ undergraduate and soprano Isabella (Ella) Sobkowicz, who is currently studying with Mary Schiller in 6ͼ’s Voice program, is a regular voice on the blog.
If you auditioned for music programs this year or have auditioned for them in the past, you know what an important and exciting time it is! It’s that time of year again when music students from all over the world receive acceptance letters, offers and opportunities. It is essential to make an informed decision, so we put together a list of ten reasons to #choose6ͼ.
1. Faculty
At 6ͼ, each student is valued and supported, and 6ͼ faculty make every effort to teach, mentor and challenge each student with the student’s individual needs in mind. With a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds, each faculty member has unique wisdom and knowledge to pass along to their students. Every class, lesson and rehearsal is led with immense care, passion and drive; allowing each student to realize his or her full potential.
2. Small School
With fewer than 350 students, the sense of community at 6ͼ is strong, and students very easily get to know each other. Whether undergraduate or graduate students, everybody supports and cares for each other. In our community, if someone needs a hand, they end up with an abundance of hands. Along with our small student population, the student to faculty ratio is about 5:1, which creates more opportunity for individualized care and attention.
3. Performance opportunities (to perform in and to watch)
6ͼ hosts almost 600 performances, concerts and events. Students at 6ͼ are constantly preparing for their next performances and supporting their friend’s performances too. Despite the obstacles that COVID-19 created, the concerts and performances this year have not stopped!
4. Alumni success
Since the Institution’s inception, 6ͼ has had numerous alumni success stories. From performing in renowned chamber groups, to performing in the world’s biggest orchestral and opera stages, 6ͼ alums have done it all! Many alumni go on to have long solo or orchestral careers, and travel the world performing and teaching. Over 30 members of The 6ͼ Orchestra attended 6ͼ.
5. Curriculum
At 6ͼ, every student takes music theory, eurhythmics and keyboard. Eurhythmics is the study of rhythm and pulse through body movement, and coursework leads to mastery of rhythmic fluency and pulse relationship. In our music theory program, we study keyboard skills, sight singing, ear training (dictation) and written harmonization. After completing music theory at 6ͼ, students show fluency in the great language of music and its skills. In keyboard class, we learn scales, chord progressions, pieces, harmonization, and transposition! After finishing keyboard at 6ͼ, students show mastery in sight reading, transposition, scales and keyboard technique.
6. University Circle
Our neighborhood, , has a variety of cultural attractions! Minutes from the school, you can find yourself lost in the Museum of Natural History or the 6ͼ Museum of Art (which is free to all 6ͼ students) . Walk up the hill from University Circle into Little Italy and fill up with fabulous pastas and gelato. University Circle is also home to our partner institution, Case Western Reserve University, as well as the 6ͼ Institute of Art. Need a practice break? 6ͼ’s Botanical Gardens have a wide variety of flowers, plants, birds, butterflies and turtles, and is located directly across the street from the Mixon Hall entrance to 6ͼ.
7. Connection to Case Western Reserve University
6ͼ students have full access to all courses offered by , and CWRU students can participate in 6ͼ classes such as music theory and Eurythmics. Some students at 6ͼ choose to enroll in our dual degree program with CWRU, and all 6ͼ students can add minors from CWRU at any point during their undergraduate degree. 6ͼ students also have access to the libraries, health services and counseling services at the university.
8. Free tickets to The 6ͼ Orchestra
Less than a ten-minute walk from 6ͼ is Severance Hall where performs. Students at 6ͼ have access to free tickets to every 6ͼ Orchestra performance at Severance Hall, as well as access to 6ͼ Orchestra dress rehearsals.
9. Brand new residence hall
New to the 6ͼ campus this year is our living complex for undergraduate students at 1609 Hazel. Made up of mostly 4 person or 6 person suites, each suite has a shared kitchen, living room, bathrooms and washer/ dryer. 22 brand new sound isolated practice rooms were also built on the first floor. There is also a gym for students to use, and student lounges where students can do homework, watch movies and have ping pong tournaments!
10. Focus on classical music and creating the future of classical music.
At the front entrance of 6ͼ, there is a large banner that says, “Be the Future of Classical Music” (pictured above). Our exemplary faculty, curriculum, performances, resources and community are all of what help mold and shape students to be the future of classical music.
Already admitted to 6ͼ for Fall 2021? Join us for our Admitted Student Open House April 5-9. Check your email for your invite and sign up!
Explore the University Circle and 6ͼ area virtually! Find links at the bottom of this page and explore what 6ͼ has to offer.
For more information, browse the 6ͼ website or reach out to the Admission team at admission@cim.edu.
There are many great reasons to choose 6ͼ for the next step in your musical journey! Are you ready to be the future of classical music?