How do college orchestras work?

kollegkid · 07-29-2007, 08:11 PM

OK. I have noticed that some colleges specify particular audition processes for potential participants. I have seen websites that say that virtually all are welcome to join (Grinnell) but I think that is uncommon. I do not intend to major in music at this time and am a decent beginning advanced player. It is really important to me to continue playing in a college orchestra. I would be really disappointed if I went to a college and found out that there were no open chairs. So, how did the orchestra work at your college? Did virtually all players make it?

thumper1 · 07-29-2007, 09:12 PM

DD is an oboe/English horn player and one of her "must have" criteria for college was the ability to continue to play in an orchestra, and take oboe lessons. She asked that question at every school we visited. The answers varied. Elon does not allow anyone but music majors to play in their orchestra (that school was scratched from the list). College of Charleston allows anyone to be in their ensembles, but they have an instrumental music major and only one ensemble...the orchestra. It didn't take a genius to figure out that the majors get priority. U of South Carolina had multiple ensembles, and anyone could audition. There were enough ensembles that all could play. DD's college is a smaller university. The music program is VERY small and anyone can be in the orchestra. She takes lessons as well. SO...my advice...ask at the schools. We found that the music department head was very candid and willing to talk (via email or in person) regarding this question at every school DD considered.

ImperialZeppelin · 07-29-2007, 09:30 PM

No hard fast rules, but in schools with established music program, non-music majors are likely to be shut out of the higher-level ensembles.

In some small LACs without strong music programs, playing a less common instrument like tuba, basson, etc., you may get a leg up on both admissions and scholarships if you commit to being a member of ensembles.

As thumper said, call each school and ask.

One word of caution is expectation; wouldn't be a bad idea to hear the school's intended ensemble(s) play during the admissions process. If you've been involved with high-level local youth or HS ensembles, some college ones may seem like you've gone back to Middle School. Local HS has well respected music program and a recent alumnae who was playing flute in her small LAC orchestra was told by the director, "I know you're in tune, but would you please play flat like the rest of the group?"

violadad · 07-29-2007, 10:03 PM

Confirming what the other two posters have said, it's very school specific.

If it's important to you, include a visit to the department if you visit the school. Most colleges list the ensembles and participation criteria on their websites.

At a school with a respected high level music program, expect to audition and potentially be shut out of the top performing organizations, unless you are a music major, or play the odd instrument.

Many of the large schools, including those with strong music programs, will sometimes have tiered ensembles, with some open only to non music majors.

There might be a community music school affiliated with the institution... you may have additional opportunities there. Depending on locale, there are often many local non-professional ensembles at varying degrees of musical accomplishment. If all else fails, I'd try the music director at local houses of worship. There are often private groups using church facilities for playing/practices in exchange for music at a service.

thumper1 · 07-30-2007, 09:32 AM

>>"I know you're in tune, but would you please play flat like the rest of the group?">>

Variation on this...DD had excellent intonation (pitch). Also, she is the oboe that tunes the orchestra and she has a TUNER sitting right in front of her. She has been told that she is sharp a number of times. Hmm...could her tuner be sharp?? So she has just adjusted her tuning to reflect what the director wants. It drives her nuts, but it's ok in the long run. If she had wanted to play in a top notch orchestra, she would have majored in music. She does her music thing because she loves it, and it is a "de" stresser for her. Oh...regarding admissions...she is in an "underrepresented" instrument...oboe/English horn and it didn't help her a lick in admissions anywhere she applied...nada. BUT she has received a $250 per quarter music performance award each term which she finds out about 2-3 weeks into the term. Every penny counts!!!

Oh one more thing. At larger universities (like Boston University, for example), there are all campus ensembles which are for the non-majors.

kollegkid · 07-30-2007, 12:41 PM

Are violas at all in demand? I imagine it depends on the college's mix in any given year, but is it generally more beneficial to be on the viola or on the violin?

ImperialZeppelin · 07-30-2007, 12:46 PM

Yes, violas tend to be more coveted than violins...

Hunt · 07-30-2007, 01:10 PM

For wind players and drummers, many schools will have a concert band in addition to the orchestra, and of course there will be more seats in the sections of the band. Some of these bands play at a very high level, tour, etc. For a more casual player, there may also be a marching band and pep bands.

weenie · 07-30-2007, 04:05 PM

Note too that some colleges will even offer non-music majors small scholarships. My son plays in orchestra at Denison, and he has a music scholarship (in addition to his larger merit scholarship) and free lessons too. Ask your schools. Denison accepted a video of him playing (I filmed it).

mythmom · 07-30-2007, 07:07 PM

On Williams' website clicking on the music department link had a further link: special admissions information. Williams here made it clear that it WAS seeking musicians. DS sent in three CD's: violin + viola, piano, and compositions. I am sure this was an aid in admission. Non-majors can audition for all ensembles. Both majors and non-majors can take lessons; non-majors play a small stipend. Students, if qualified, can play with the semi-professional Berkshire symphony orchestra or student orchestra.

U of Chicago offered no lessons at all.

Swarthmore and Haverford basically sends you to Philly.

Dartmouth offers everyone lessons.

Columbia and Barnard send kids to Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music for lessons.

You can PM if you have questions about any northeastern schools LAC's. I've probably researched it. I have offered just a few examples here.

violadad · 07-30-2007, 07:31 PM

kollegkid- I would think that in most instances a violist, particularly a good one would be welcome.

nycm · 08-08-2007, 10:34 AM

It is also possible to ask to play for the orchestra director at many schools; not an audition, but DD played for the conductors at several schools, and also sat in on orchestra rehearsals. At one ivy the conductor sent a letter on her behalf to the admissions office, at another the admissions dept. contacted the conductor. The experience also helped give us a sense of the quality of the orchestras and the kind of experience she would have at the school, esp. since she did not want to attend a school where she would not be able to play in the orchestra.

ivyracer · 08-08-2007, 10:03 PM

I've been playing the violin for a little over 8 years, but I stopped playing for the last two years in hopes of getting my 'academic acts' together for college admissions. I'm interested in auditioning for the symphony orchestra in college, but honestly, I pretty much suck now (I don't even remember my scales) - am I allowed to tell the director about this "situation", or do I just need to suck it up and practice freakishly for the next two weeks?

lorelei2702 · 08-09-2007, 06:58 AM

ivyracer: indeed you want to get back in gear rapidly, but very carefully. Spend 15-20 minutes at a time, with time breaks, hand stretches, etc. You can get hurt very rapidly. Pull out the old books. Consider a structuring lesson with your previous teacher. Good luck!

lorelei2702 · 08-09-2007, 09:37 AM

One other thing: the most important part of your audition will be intonation. Be sure to play something you can hear and control well....do not just go for the licks and techical displays. It will be better to play something with lovely sound and perfect intonation and be assigned to the second violin section of the good orchestra, than to be relegated to the "community band" orchestra ensemble. Lorelei