Oxford Emory apparently also had auditions for the orchestra but the OP’s daughter wasn’t selected. So I suppose one would have to figure out the playing level needed to participate in the various orchestras.
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Or if an open-ended “We play Madrigals on Sunday night- show up with your instrument” or a less competitive chamber ensemble will be sufficient. Not every music performance group is going to require auditions, knock-outs, etc. There are many music lovers on campuses who love to play but don’t have the time for a travel/rehearsal/tour Europe type commitment.
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That needs to be the kind of school OP finds - as they weren’t deemed to meet the needs of the audition only.
Hopefully the we need more players schools will make the transfer list.
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Still her dream school and honestly was ‘the perfect fit’ in every area-Catholic, great academics, school spirit, great music dept, ‘nice’ student body, activities she was interested in. Her brother is a recent graduate so she knows the culture first hand.
Thanks for the info on St Joe’s-that was not on our radar..love the support for transfer students
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Emory is one of those schools that you can not apply for their orchestra until after you are accepted as a student. She auditioned for the orchestra after getting onto campus this fall and unfortunately did not make it.
thanks for the info on W&M, looks like it could be a good fit. It is impossible for her to get the app in today. Along with everything else, she was in a major car accident last week and is recovering from a concussion and is having a lot of difficulty keeping up with her workload.
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Sending hugs and best wishes for a speedy recovery. How awful.
Adding Holy Cross to the list of schools I posted earlier. Just the nicest kids. Serious about their studies, a faculty that is specifically there because they love to teach undergrads, buzzy campus with lots to do, Worcester isn’t the most exciting city in the world but the campus makes up for it. And hey- it’s not out in the middle of nowhere. I don’t know if she visited first time around- but lovely place. Not super competitive student body either– they are there to learn, grow, contribute, make the world a better place.
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I know she wants to rush to another school - but it’s a mistake (it seems to me).
And in addition to all the great features she knows she wants, now you have to add - no cut orchestra.
Were they any acceptances besides Emory - that she felt good about? If it wasn’t Oxford and Emory directly, I wonder if her experience would be different
That’s not true! There are colleges that have multiple orchestras, and can accommodate just about everyone who wants to play.
And there are colleges where there is a need for orchestral musician and this student would be welcomed into their ensembles.
@blossom beat me to suggesting Holy Cross. Your DD liked Notre Dame…she might just like Holy Cross as well.
And I do think the Jesuit colleges are worthy of a look see. My kid played in the orchestra at Santa Clara University for four years, took private lessons, and really enjoyed all of it. The orchestra wasn’t the strongest on the planet, but it welcomed anyone who could play their instrument. I’m sure SCU isn’t the only Jesuit school with a welcoming student orchestra.
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Sorry to hear that and hope she recovers quickly. Nothing else is close to recovery in importance. Might she consider taking a medical withdrawal this semester (since the concussion seems to be impacting her ability to do schoolwork) and starting fresh elsewhere next fall? This would give time to recover and visit schools.
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Yes, that’s a no cut orchestra
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Best wishes to your daughter for a quick recovery, OP. Maybe her classmates will rally around and be supportive and helpful.
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Actually that’s not true… but we are getting off topic.
All orchestras have auditions so they can seat the players accordingly…and to be sure they have the skills to play the repertoire.
The OP can look for colleges with music programs that will work. They are out there. Perhaps the student will have time to visit the music department, and discuss this. We found them to be very helpful. Our DD reached out to the music department chair, the orchestra director(s), and the private teachers on her instrument so she would know the opportunities available….and if she could actually expect to play.
@happy1 makes a good point. A medical withdrawal is worth looking at.
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Thank you-will add Holy Cross to list
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She wasn’t truly happy with any of her acceptances unfortunately. I just looked and Holy Cross does not accept 1st yr spring transfer 
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Thank you. She would consider a medical withdrawal if she doesn’t improve and then go to a local college for spring. She’s concerned this would impact her applications for next fall and not make her a strong candidate 
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In many cases, a medical withdrawal will remove the current courses from any consideration in the future.
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I don’t think it would be an issue. And I dont know the answer (maybe someone else here does) but if she medically withdraws and does not attend local college could she apply as a freshman for Fall’26? That may open more options and allow her to start fresh with a new class. If that is possible, she can always seek out another option for the spring.
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The same son that went to Oxford had two surgeries 6 weeks apart, one planned, one not (badly broken leg). With hindsight he should have taken a medical leave and I really regret that he didn’t. Which is not to say that the OP’s daughter should take a medical leave, but to consider it.
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