Why Blair?

The Blair School of Music is unique in that it is an intensive undergraduate only music school set within an elite research university that is consistently ranked among the best in the nation. As a selective undergraduate-only program, all students have numerous opportunities to play in orchestra, wind ensemble and chamber ensembles throughout their time at Blair. 

Students at Blair pursue music for a variety of reasons, with many choosing to pursue a second major outside of Blair. While many students choose Blair to pursue a career in music, many others come to Blair to add studies in music to their broader career goals, including medicine, economics, political science and much more. The environment at Blair is rigorous, but supportive and students can feel confident that they will be challenged, but inspired here — within and outside of their musical studies. 

The tuba-euphonium studio is intentionally small to ensure all students have plenty of performance opportunities. The studio typically has between 6-8 students who rotate between the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and chamber ensembles each semester. Additionally, each student receives weekly lessons and participates in weekly studio classes.

As a brass area, we frequently bring in guest artists for masterclasses and/or recitals; some recent/upcoming guest artists have included Andrew Hitz, Joseph Alessi and Michelle Baker. Moreover, the Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center is less than 15 minutes from campus and students regularly attend symphony concerts and/or any of the numerous other performing events that take place in Nashville on any given week.

Lastly, Vanderbilt offers both merit-based and need-based awards to eligible students to cover significant costs of attendance. Vanderbilt is frequently ranked in the Top 5 of Princeton Review’s “Best Financial Aid” rankings and Vanderbilt’s “Opportunity Vanderbilt” program is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students.