Music Program
Swarthmore's Gamelan Semara Santi performs with dancers from the Indonesian Cultural Club of Delaware in Scott Amphitheater (April 2014)
The Swarthmore College Chinese Music Ensemble prepares for a performance.
The Swarthmore College Lab Orchestra, with Featured Artists the Jasper String Quartet, made a return appearance at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in December, 2017 (led here by student conductor Shira Samuels-Shragg '20). The Lab Orchestra is a part of the Elizabeth Pollard Fetter Chamber Music Program.
Three students (playing the Sorceress and Two Witches) in an April, 2016 production of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.
David Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, performs the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Swarthmore College Orchestra in November, 2013.
The Swarthmore College Gospel Choir performs as part of the Fetter Chamber Music Program.
Student actors and dancers collaborate with Orchestra 2001 in Stravinsky's Histoire du Soldat (April, 2016).
On December 5, 2014, the Swarthmore College Chorus and Orchestra gave the world premiere of Peace Talks by James Matheson '92, commissioned by the College in honor of its Sesquicentennial.
Swarthmore's music program is a vibrant community of performers, creators and critical thinkers who share a passion for music both past and present, pop and classical, near and far. Our academic courses invite students to think deeply about music; our ensembles bring talented students together to perform challenging and varied repertoire; our master class and residency programs bring some of our country’s most distinguished musicians to campus for ongoing collaborations with our students; and our program of private instruction enables students to study with some of the finest teachers from Philadelphia to New York City. Students in our program are often active in many other fields, such as art history, biology, engineering, English, linguistics, and mathematics. The wealth of interests and curiosity they bring to music making fosters a fresh and exciting atmosphere in Lang Music Building.
We welcome all students, whether or not they pursue a major or minor in our discipline, to become part of our music family. Given the buzz of activity happening in Lang, and facilities to rival many larger universities, you'll never want to leave. And with the library open until one a.m., and practice rooms open all the time, you really don't have to.