Art first glance, Stanford may not seem like the best place to get a formal education in the arts. Yet, for those prospective freshman interested in film, visuals, music and theater, The Stanford Daily Arts and Life Editors truly believe Stanford to be the perfect fit.
Film
Stanford’s film program is relatively young, so the University is not often perceived as an equal to peer schools like USC and NYU. With that being said, the department prides itself on an unparalleled — and exemplary — attention to theory and criticism. Classes in the Film and Media Studies department, taught by lecturers like Jean Ma and Scott Bukatman, range from great to superb.
Unfortunately, for students interested in production, Stanford is — at least, superficially — light on opportunities. At Stanford, there are only a handful of production courses and most focus on screenwriting. Regardless, there are still a number of ways to gain experience in the field. The Stanford Film Society, a student organization, hosts a number of filmmaking workshops and recently launched a program to produce a short film each quarter. At the same time, The Stanford Sitcom Project, yet another student group dedicated to the art of filmmaking, produces an annual web series from concept to realization.
Further, Stanford is home to one of the best Documentary M.F.A. programs in the world, and it is surprisingly easy to work with the department’s graduate filmmakers. Whether you want to roll up your sleeves and help in the creation of interview transcripts, or you just hope to observe artists in the field, M.F.A. candidates are frequently open to undergraduate involvement. What’s more? The documentary students often take the same courses as undergraduates, giving young students the opportunity to interact with more seasoned veterans.
And, if you just like watching films, Stanford is also a great fit. With three art-house theaters in the immediate vicinity, it’s pretty easy to catch the latest film in cinemas. Moreover, with San Francisco just a CalTrain ride away, students have access to a number of films that go unreleased in other parts of the country. Also, each May, The San Francisco Film Society hosts the San Francisco International Film Festival, which screens a combination of stellar festival favorites and lesser-known fare.
Music
Whether you’re a serious instrumentalist, a part-time guitar strummer or simply someone who finds joy in listening, there’s a place for you in the Stanford’s rich musical community.
If singing is your thing, you can lend your voice to one of the University’s numerous a Cappella groups. From Mixed Company to Talisman to Counterpoint, these groups represent a variety of musical styles and offer a range of opportunities for students to explore their passion for song. Their performances fill the campus with beautiful music throughout the course of the year.
If instrumental music is more your style, be sure to visit Bing Concert Hall, a beautiful and acoustically advanced venue that has hosted everyone from Yo-Yo Ma to Lang Lang. In addition to sponsoring classical acts at Bing, the Stanford Concert Network has brought a number of well-known, popular artists to campus in recent years. Modest Mouse, MGMT and Kendrick Lamar have all performed at Stanford, and Flume is scheduled to headline this year’s Frost Music Festival, held outdoors at the Frost Amphitheater.
The University also boasts a renowned and inclusive jazz community. Students of a variety of skill levels are invited to perform at weekly jam sessions at CoHo, and recently a Stanford student combo received multiple honors at the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation event. The Stanford Jazz Consortium promotes this culture by sponsoring jams, performances and student tickets to nearby events.
If you’re looking for a more spirited, informal performance opportunity, the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band is the group for you. A ragtag, irreverent bunch sporting bucket hats and wielding painted sousaphones, they are not your typical strait-laced marching outfit. Their energetic covers of popular songs and frenetic halftime performances are a perennial crowd-pleaser. Best of all, they’re very open to new members – even if your instrumental experience is limited to the cowbell, the Band has a place for you.
Finally, if you’re intrigued by the science of music, The Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics offers a range of courses, workshops and performance opportunities that address the subtle intersections between music and technology. The Stanford Laptop Orchestra is one particularly unique and popular program coordinated by the CCRMA.
In sum, whether you’re playing a laptop, a trombone, or a triangle– or if you’d just prefer to sit back and listen– Stanford offers a wealth of opportunities to explore and enjoy the wonders of music.
Theater
While Stanford may not seem like a theater school, there are tremendous opportunities for students interested in the performing arts on campus.
In addition to a season of shows through the Theater and Performance Studies Department, there is never a shortage of student groups putting on incredible theater, including Ram’s Head, Stanford Shakespeare Company, Stanford Theater Laboratory, At The Fountain Theatricals and Freeks, to name a few. These groups regularly stage professional productions of both classic and original works. Last week, Ram’s Head’s production of Hairspray sold out Stanford’s 1,705-seat Memorial Auditorium and received rave reviews from theatergoers and critics alike.
Stanford’s TAPS department also puts on some groundbreaking shows. This year, the program produced Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, both of which were helmed by professional directors (Rob Melrose and Amy Freed, respectively).
Visual arts
For those interested in Art Practice, Stanford offers a selection of courses that cater to both the beginning artist and the seasoned veteran. Classes like Drawing I introduce students to the fundamentals of studio art, while other courses, like Cell Phone Photography, adopt a more unorthodox approach to art-making.
Stanford also enjoys a first-rate Art and Art History department staffed by renowned professors. From Introduction to the Visual Arts to Technology and the Visual Imagination, Stanford’s Art and Art History program boasts a diverse number of incredibly popular and thoroughly engaging courses.
Fine art enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that Stanford is home to three art galleries: the Cantor Arts Center, the Anderson Collection and the Stanford Art Gallery. The Cantor Center for Visual Arts houses a diverse selection of artwork, ranging from postmodern American to antiquated ethnic works. Exhibitions on view at the Cantor, such as the recent “She Who Tells a Story,” often speak to contemporary issues across different cultures. The Anderson Collection is home to 121 paintings and sculptures created by some of the most prominent American modern and contemporary artists, ranging from Mark Rothko to Jackson Pollock.
Contact the Arts and Life Editors at arts ‘at’ stanforddaily.com