<p>erm...nevermind. I got the answer (too late to edit that post). We can't, apparently, use the bonus meals for ourselves.</p>
<p>Yeah, the meal plan swipes are all you can eat.</p>
<p>I got a phone number with my housing contract. Do we a get the phone set too, or do we have to get our own base set?</p>
<p>Can someone answer my question about music programs for non-majors?</p>
<p>Yes, you get a basic phone (it's not the best, sometimes my calls were scratchy), and you can use the Audix voicemail system, or buy a nicer phone with an answering machine on it.</p>
<p>Music programs for non-majors - what specifically interests you? There are tons of music ensembles and performing groups, etc, and most only require an audition. I can tell you more specifically if you give me an interest (vocal, instrumental, etc) since I'm in the orchestra and obviously spend a bit of time in Lincoln (the music hall which, btw, was renovated a few years ago and is REALLY nice).</p>
<p>Clarinet - It would be nice to be in orchestra, though since there are usually 2 to 4 clarinets in one, I'm guessing that they'd be the ones who have the private lessons and practice as majors, so I guess I'm looking at something such as a concert band or wind ensemble, but are there any other groups?</p>
<p>There is a wind ensemble (which is very good) plus a wind symphony. Check more on the music department's page (or the course roster) to see more about that. There is one orchestra which uses winds - the symphony orchestra (my orchestra!) - CSO. The website is <a href="http://www.arts.cornell.edu/orchestra%5B/url%5D">www.arts.cornell.edu/orchestra</a> and it has audition information. There are only about 2-3 clarinets (depending on the piece), so email him and he'll give you more info.
There is also the opportunity for private lessons, even if you're not a major, but those do cost a little bit of money (I believe you get a discount if you are in an ensemble). Practice rooms <em>technically</em> have to be paid for, but since the office is upstairs and no one checks anyway, you can just go and practice as you please in the non-piano rooms (those have keys and stay locked unless requested).
There are also a few specialty groups such as klezmer ensemble and many student-run ensembles. I'd check the Music website and the Cornell 'clubs' site (<a href="http://www.rso.cornell.edu%5B/url%5D">www.rso.cornell.edu</a>) to see more details and see what's available. Hope this helps! :)</p>
<p>i play the violin and would love to continue taking lessons or play in a musical group in cornell...how's the standard of the orchestra compared to the chamber group? i'm just afraid that i would not be good enough for either..and so, are there informal musical groups which you would recommend where i can continue to perform and play in?</p>
<p>^wow, that is exactly my problem. And the musical department makes you audition for music lessons...I doubt I would be good enough to take those lessons.</p>
<p>^ Yeah, I feel the same way that you guys do. I really want to continue but I'm afraid that I will not be good enough compared to others (then again, who knows if I'll even get into Cornell?) who for all I know were in state bands and practice constantly (I'm good, but not THAT good). I also want to be able to be in a good group while still having time to pursue my music unrelated studies/major. I've developed into more of an orchestral type player than band/wind ensemble player and the music that my high school plays is relatively difficult and college level, so I don't want to feel like taking a step backwards if I do a more informal concert band only since I like orchestral works better than concert band/wind ensemble works.</p>
<p>How good do you have to be to play as a wind in orchestra (yes I know this is vague and subjective)? Are the people on wind instruments usually people who practice a great deal (as in hours per day) and who have gained national recognition even before college, or can you just be an average great musician (I personally used to suck but then - long story short - got really good and have been in many school ensembles, done county band and will go for the district band this year, am the lead player, invested a lot of time and money into the clarinet now, etc.)? Is it really competitive to get in?</p>
<p>Oh, and I think klezmer ensemble would be awesome - I've always wanted to have a klezmer band just for the sheer fun of it.</p>
<p>what..that sucks. having to audition for lessons...i would be very disheartened if they really only had time for the really good players =(</p>
<p>I have a question (I seem to be having a whole lot of them lately; what say?)...I'm placed out of Math 191, Chem 207, Whatever course it is for for Physics C:E&M and whatever course it is for Physics C:Mech.</p>
<p>Does this mean I do advanced courses in Physics, Chem and Math this term, or does it mean I don't do them at all and take a whole lotta ECE courses instead?</p>
<p>I think it means you take the advanced courses now (if you choose to schedule them) or later if you put them off.</p>
<p>You shouldn't take advanced physics this term as it requires Math 293. Depending on your major, you don't need any more chem. Take some electives or get some of the other requirements out of the way (e.g. take both ENGRI and CS or something like that) to make up for the deficiency of classes.</p>
<p>Towerpumkin, Can I do my ECE courses now itself because I want to graduate early?</p>
<p>If you fulfill the prerequisites, you can take courses whenever you want. Look up the course on the course roster (via Academics on the website).</p>
<p>For the music - I unfortunately can't really tell you what the competition is for winds since I'm obviously not one of those. I feel like our conductor was looking for specific instruments at one point, but I don't remember if they were winds or more brass instruments. Sorry :( I think the winds on a whole were probably more prepared just because their parts are naturally more obvious. Our conductor was a little more particular for them, but maybe it's just easier to commandeer a section if it's just one person. Haha.</p>
<p>You have to audition for major groups such as wind ensemble, etc. You don't (to my knowledge) have to audition for lessons; it's just an extra fee like always and it's what you put into it. </p>
<p>In terms of 'how good' - there will of course be people who did All State since they were toddlers and are known nationally, but there are also people who just do it for fun and probably weren't the <em>best</em> in their schools. It's something we just don't talk about so it's not a big deal (you don't go up to other musicians and go 'hey, how many all-states did YOU make?', haha, or at least I wouldn't recommend that). I would imagine that if you just go in with a positive attitude and a piece you've prepared, you'll be ok, and you will probably get in. </p>
<p>The chamber orchestra is supposedly just a wee bit more competitive/harder to get into, but I feel that's just because the demand for it is a little higher and because it uses far fewer players. There are, however, informal chamber groups (I think under the student groups site it's called 'ROSE') and you can certainly just mess around with some friends if you'd like.
You are probably like most of the other musicians and while music is still a good part of your life, it may not be the focus as it was back in high school, and you may feel like you're more interested in schoolwork/other activities/etc. Don't feel pressured to have to do orchestra just to 'keep it up', but don't feel bad if that's the reason you're doing music because that's many of us - students who enjoyed it in high school and just like to do it now. I really only know 2 music majors in the whole orchestra. I did it for fun and I had a great time, even though my audition was terrible and I was near the back of the 2nds - my section got along really well and I made some awesome friends.
Hope this helps - any other questions feel free to PM me. :)</p>
<p>musicians, have you considered the Cornell Chimes? Student chimesmasters play the bells at the top of McGraw tower three times a day. It's the oldest musical tradition on campus, no to mention the loudest. And rather unique. I know that all of the Chimesmasters have strong musical backgrounds, but none of them are music majors. There's a pretty intense annual competition in the spring, but well worth it.</p>
<p>I'm just curious...how bad are the drug, alcohol and smoking scenes at Cornell?</p>
<p>I read this one survey which put the % who did marijuana in that particular month at 80% :eek:...is it really that high?</p>
<p>I don't think it's anywhere near 80%, lol. Drinking is very prevalent, since Greek life is huge. Plenty of people smoke, but the % is probably much less than the drinkers. Hard drugs are available but are not very widely used. You probably won't encounter hard drugs unless you go looking for them.</p>