Cornell Orchestra

<p>How competitive is the Cornell Orchestra. Just wondering how good of a chance i stand at playing in it. Was in California All-State and was the principal cellist in CODA state symphony (California Orchestra Director Association). THe people on the princeton board were talking about how the princeton orchestra is full of people who toured with the philedelphia symphony as a solosit, Play at Carnegie Hall, tour with professional orhestras in Europe. Basically Julliard equivilient. I think this is somewhat hard to believe because Princeton is not known for its Music program.</p>

<p>There are two orchestras at Cornell- Chamber (CCO) and Symphony (CSO). I'm in CSO, and while I didn't get a good seat because I wasn't prepared for my audition, I don't think it's overly hard to get into the orchestras (perhaps it's a little more competitive to get into a principal chair). The rumor is that CCO is a little more competitive because it's smaller, and because as it's more intimate and they play only chamber music, more people want to be in it. I personally really like CSO, though, and I plan on reauditioning for a better seat next year. I think you have a good chance of at least getting in (if not getting a great chair) as long as you come prepared for your audition (have a piece prepared and be ready for some sight-reading). Also, I don't know the competition for cello, because I'm a violinist. Both orchestras are equally fun, and both tour! :)</p>

<p>what do you think of the orchestra director?</p>

<p>Chris Kim is a lot of fun to work under. He's got a lot of enthusiasm and he can say some really funny comments. However, he can also be really pressing (ie. we had rehearsal this past Monday, after our concert last Saturday) just because he wants it to be really good. He's of course different from what I've had in the past, so it's hard to compare (I really loved my insane conductor from high school).
I encourage you to check out our websites: <a href="http://www.rso.cornell.edu/cso%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.rso.cornell.edu/cso&lt;/a> and <a href="http://www.rso.cornell.edu/cco%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.rso.cornell.edu/cco&lt;/a> . The CSO website's first image is a ridiculously funny picture of Chris ;)</p>

<p>wait, i lied. the websites are:
<a href="http://www.arts.cornell.edu/orchestra%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.arts.cornell.edu/orchestra&lt;/a> (for CSO- after you see/skip the intro, there's a link for the CCO website).
sorry :)</p>

<p>Does anyone know of any mp3's online so I can listen to one of Cornell's orchsetras or bands? I feel the only way left for me to evaluate the ensembles is to hear a recording.</p>