<p>Among the top LACs and Universities, which ones offer the best orchestra opportunities for non-music majors? Also which offer possibilities for studying with decent (cello) teachers?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>St. Olaf has a wonderful orchestra program. I have no idea what the cello teacher is like, but anyone in the orchestra (and they have 2) has to be taking private lessons as well. (There is no additional charge for lessons for any student.) Anyone can audition for orchestra regardless of major. I don't think they have a lot of string majors.</p>
<p>Northwestern - Great orchestra. Only top notch musicians get in here through the school of music. Non-major? You better be a virtuoso. Hans Jensen, arguably one of the cello greats, teaches here. They only accept 6-8 cellists via audition, and even that number varies from year to year. It's on a space available criteria. So if you intend to study with Jensen as a non-major, be prepared for some very tough competition.</p>
<p>Others:</p>
<p>Indiana University, University of Rochester (Eastman), Tufts University (Tufts has a program with the New England Conservatory), Vanderbilt University (Blair), Case Western University (Cleveland Institue of Music), Rice University, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Oberlin College, and University of Boston (Berklee).</p>
<p>Williams has extensive performance opportunities for non-music majors.</p>
<p>Just to clarify post #3. As a non-music major at U of Rochester (and most or all of the other schools listed there) you will NOT be playing with Eastman School of Music kids. U of R has their own, separate orchestra. It is not a conservatory orchestra. The benefit might be that you could study with a conservatory student (not prof) and enjoy their performances for free or cheap.</p>
<p>In our research it appeared that schools with the strongest music programs offered the fewest options to non-majors. So plan accordingly.</p>
<p>My son plays in Denison's orchestra, and is enjoying it. It is a pretty standard LAC music program.</p>
<p>Weenie is correct - we have also heard that programs with the strongest music programs would not be the best choice for a student who wants to play their instrument "recreationally" (as my daughter wants to do with her violin).<br>
We have heard good things about Wash U - weekly private lessons included with tuition. Opportunities to play in the orchestra and smaller ensembles. Also a mom told us her son plays in ensembles for different college functions for $$$.</p>
<p>Thanks. My daughter particularly likes Northwestern for their journalism program, but it sounds like she wouldn't get an opportunity to play in the orchestra - she is accomplished, but not a virtuoso!</p>
<p>Are there opportunities at Oberlin or Rice for solid, recreational players?</p>
<p>Williams , Wash U and Wisconsin are also on the list of schools she is interested in.</p>
<p>How about Columbia, Brown, Bard or Vassar?</p>
<p>The Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra (the oldest symphony orchestra in the US) accepts non-music majors. You gotta be pretty good though. Harvard also has several other orchestras to choose from: Harvard Pops, Gilbert and Sullivan Orchestra, Wind Emsemble, etc. MIT has a pretty good orchestra also.</p>
<p>um....i dont think Northwestern or most colleges with a separate music "school" are too terribly realistic for someone who wants to be in an orchestra just for fun...basically all the ivies, and top LACs and other universities have pretty good music departments without too many music majors..so you should be alright at any top university or LAC even if you</p>
<p>dont major in music</p>
<p>There are lots of opportunities for non-music majors who are solid, recreational players at Oberlin. It is unlikely, but not entirely unheard of, that such students would find a spot in the top Conservatory ensembles. However, there are a few groups (a string orchestra, a wind ensemble and a chorus) oriented toward the community at large. These groups are led by conservatory faculty members and perform once or twice a semester. There are also a lot of smaller, student-run groups that vary widely by ability, musical interests and objectives. The concerts you see listed on the Oberlin web site are only those presented by officially-sponsored sources. There is a lot more going on, as you will see if you snoop around some of the more popular bulletin boards on campus. Also, most of the January term projects that involve a musical production of some sort are open to all. There are also ExCo classes open to all that involve music in one way or another.</p>
<p>Depending on playing level, non-majors can audition for a weekly half-hour lesson with a faculty member or with a third or fourth year conservatory student (who has been approved to teach and is being mentored in giving lessons by a faculty member).</p>
<p>I'm a potential Rice student who is very interested in music as a second priority. Though I can't say anything first-hand, from what I've read there are several groups for non-majors including a pretty good symphonic band, an orchestra, the infamous marching owl band (more of a comedy act than a marching band), and probably a few other things. Singers can be in the chorus or whatever it is. I'm not entirely certain but I think if you are really really really awesome you may be able to audition for the Shepherd orchestra and other groups.
Still, I will agree that there are probably just as many or more opportunities for non-majors at the ivies or wherever. :(</p>