<p>This is probably a very dumb question - but does admissions look to add musicians even if not a music major? Both of my kids play musical instruments and are in the concert and jazz bands. Both want to continue in college and my S in 10th grade may major in music - for both it will be a life long passion they will continue. So my question is - do schools look to recruit certain musicians? and if so, what schools/types of schools should they consider?</p>
<p>jsmom- It's not a dumb question, particularly since you may be asking about two seperate kids, one potentially a music major, one not. It would help to know who is older, the sophomore? A better definition of music major for him- performance (and instrument type), music ed, music history?
It helps in answering your question, and possibly recommending some schools for consideration, and expanding on the short answer.</p>
<p>A short answer is yes, but the word is not necessarily "recruit". Offer a scholarship for a committment to play, or for a desireable instrument, to round out a studio. A similar question, recent thread is here: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=403235&page=2%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=403235&page=2</a></p>
<p>Please read the post by BassDad here <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=258796%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=258796</a> if you have a son considering music as an undergrad pursuit.</p>
<p>There are some (many?) liberal arts colleges that award music scholarships to kids who are not music majors. My son has one at Denison. It is minor compared with his academic scholarship - but every little bit helps and he gets free music lessons. He is happy with their music program and is doing a music minor.</p>
<p>Thanks for the posts above. My senior D is a trombone player and has been 1st trombone in the band for three years. My 10th grade son plays trumpet and has been in the County band for three years and hopes to make districts. He particpates in two bands, jazz band, and PEP band. He attends music camp over the summer for the past two years and will attend this summer as well. My D is applying now to schools and I know she hopes to continue on the trombone in college. My son is a sophmore and may major in music - but also loves math - so may want to do math, physics, engineering as well as music. Like most 10th graders he doesn't know at this point -but music I am sure will be a life long passion regardless of what he does. Thanks violadad for the links - they were helpful.</p>
<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=6280%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=6280</a> has a number of schools with good music programs, many with equally strong academic programs.</p>
<p>If your D has already narrowed her list, she might want to investigate each of her choice's music webpages to see what her potential options can be regarding participation in orchestra, jazz, marching or pep bands at each school. Levels and requirements vary widely by school.</p>
<p>If your s is even thinking about a potential performance career, it is nt too late to get real serious real fast, as that is a highly competitive and selective field, and the top programs are all auditioned based.</p>
<p>For other music related majors such as theory, composition, music ed, music history, musicology, music therapy, they are also largely auditioned based, with composition probably the most selective (often on a par with performance); the other disciplines, while auditions are normally required, candidates are not held to as critical a standard as performance. This is not to say that they are easy admits, but will vary widely based on the pool of candidates, reputation of the school and program, and the discipline. </p>
<p>Just reading through the threads in this forum will give you a broad overview of topics and questions.</p>
<p>Back to your original question, it is extremely unlikely anyone will be offering tons of money or be banging on your door waving letters of intent. Again, it's very school specific, but there may well be small music scholarships at some schools for non- performance music majors justfor a committment to continue playing in an ensemble; some may offer scholarships on academic lines for music ed or music theory. Many may not.</p>
<p>The best way to approach it may be to select the schools that will fit the bulk of your required music and academic criteria, and then begin to adjust from there.</p>
<p>From what I have heard recently, there is more a need for trombone players than trumpet....probably because intonation is harder....and it may be more likely that extra opportunties and/or money would be available. Obviously this varies from place to place and year to year. Good luck. Lorelei</p>