<p>I'm a high school junior that is from kansas city, missouri, and i'm starting to really look at college because i'll be filling out applications in just a few months :) </p>
<p>my question is....how much will being a decent student that is in the IB program plus being a pretty decent musician help me out in admissions? i'd love to play in a college orchestra, but i'm not planning on being a music major. and i'm also looking at top LAC's and universities.</p>
<p>i play the viola...
and have been taking lessons for years
was a member of the kansas city metro all district orchestra
and i take pieces to contest every year and do well
my viola teacher tells me that i'd get a nice music scholarship from schools around kansas city, if that's an indication... :)</p>
<p>also, just what are some schools in general that would really appreciate my skills as being a violist? surely some schools care more about maintaining a good orchestra more than others..</p>
<p>Vanderbilt sounds like a place that would be perfect for you. Blair is an awesome music school, but there are plenty of opportunities [from what i've heard] for non-music majors. It is also a top 20 university, which is what you said you are looking for.</p>
<p>You don't specify what type of school (public, private, large, small) or what your intended course of study would be. There are any number of schools with good, solid smaller music programs that would offer you a small scholarship for a committment to play in an orchestra or ensemble. You don't necessarily need to be a declared music major or minor, as this will vary by school.</p>
<p>A solid violist could well be a plus at some institutions.</p>
<p>If you could get a bit more specific with your academic needs/requirements it would be easier to pinpoint some programs.</p>
<p>A couple of previous threads from the music major forum you might want to look at:</p>
<p>ChocLover - Look up the faculty in charge of orchestral music at all the schools you're considering and e-mail them to ask about their interest. My elder daughter did that and got back a very encouraging response from a music director at a reach school that she'd have never guessed would be interested. He invited her to come by and audition for him when she did a college visit. She recorded a CD of four or five pieces and brought it to him (and other faculty with whom she'd made appointments) when she visited. He was enthusiastic about her and she was ultimately accepted (though I can't tell you that that was necessarily the reason she was accepted). D2 just did the same and will be attending the same school in the fall.</p>
<p>well, for academic interests, i'd like to double major in french and psychology. i'd definitely like to study abroad for a semester or a year in france.</p>
<p>i'd like a school that is pretty selective, that is pretty small, and where i can have close relationships with teachers.</p>
<p>thanks for all of the help and responses :)</p>
<p>My D also wants to continue in the band as a non-major so submitted arts supplements to all of the schools. She recorded an instumental piece and submitted as per each school's requirement. She applied to Bucknell University for a separate arts scholarship for non-majors and was awarded merit money for it and free lessons as long as she participates. Hope this helps. Looks like you have a lot of great suggestions. But do ask when you visit the schools. When we visited some schools, non-majors who wanted to participate in the band/orchestra may face stiff auditions or had to travel to a neighboring consortium school to participate as the bands or orchestras were combined. Just something we learned.</p>
<p>Chocolatelover, I would suggest that you look at Williams. It's small, it's not in the midwest, it's academically excellent -- and most importantly it offers diverse music performance opportunities even for non-majors. </p>
<p>Though music is not an unusual EC, it is still valued and an interest in participating in one or more campus groups is a plus for admissions, especially at small LACs. My son, who graduated last year, had several friends who were serious musicians -- both classical and jazz -- even though they ended up majoring in different fields.</p>
<p>Do make sure that you submit a performance tape and a music centric EC package with your application. See the college's website for details.</p>