This is part of a series of columns written by Arts & Sciences Student Ambassadors.
If you are a musician, Cornell is the right place for you.
If I were to describe Cornell’s music community in one sentence, I’d say that it is a truly special place that is defined by its diversity. Not only does it offer formal and informal ensembles in every musical genre imaginable, it’s one of the only spaces on campus where you’ll find undergraduates playing side-by-side with PhD students and professors. (Yes, really! Professor Stewart Schwab of the Law School was part of the Cornell Symphony Orchestra’s bass section in Fall 2025).
As a lifelong violinist, music has always been integral to my identity and routines. At the beginning of the year, I wasn’t sure what to expect when exploring the campus music scene and I had trouble deciding between Cornell’s bountiful offerings for string players. When there’s everything from an Early Music Lab for Baroque music to a top-notch Chamber Music program, an indecisive person like me can be frozen in panic! However, I decided to start by joining the Cornell Chamber Orchestra (CCO).
Though my time with the CCO has been characterized by tons of great rehearsals and shared experiences, there’s one memory that stands out to me. After our very first rehearsal, the upperclassmen brought all the freshmen to dinner on West Campus, where we bonded over our past musical experiences and learned about the West Campus House Dinner tradition. When I think back on that dinner, it feels very representative of the CCO experience as a whole: one that is centered around people, mentorship and openness.
Two semesters in, I’m now playing with the Cornell Symphony Orchestra and I have many more orchestral experiences to reflect upon. They range from frantic pre-concert prep in the basement of Bailey Hall to exploring the Ithaca Farmer’s Market with my orchestra “fam,” but every single one is overwhelmingly positive. I will always be so grateful for the people and the music that the Cornell orchestras have brought me.
Quick but important side note: Though I’ve been lucky enough to find my people in the orchestras, I've heard nothing but good things about Cornell’s other ensembles from my fellow freshmen. My podmate plays the flute in the Big Red Marching Band and Pep Band, and she always has new stories of late-night Collegetown socials and front-row hockey game seats whenever I see her. My friend is a CU Jazz bassist and a bluegrass hobbyist, and his program’s flexibility has allowed him to regularly jam with his friends and family while also meeting tons of new people. With the Cornell music programs, there’s no way to go wrong!
If you’re interested, excited, curious, or even skeptical about what Cornell Music might offer you, take the chance. Try the audition. Attend the class. You never know what it might bring you (but I can guarantee you, it’ll be something good).
Hui is a government and economics major in the College of Arts & Sciences.
More News from A&S
Earth Day talk to inaugurate Trevor Pinch Memorial Lecture series
Science and Technology Studies
Taiwan’s opposition leader visits Nanjing, but US and China call the shots
Government
