<p>Just wondering how this works. I play a couple of little known instruments which may be needed in a large orchastra, and I was wondering if conductors have any pull in the admissions process (for example, if they are running short on french horns one year, or harpists the next)</p>
<p>Adcoms serve to admits kids who will fulfill the needs of the collge....for sure. As to unusual instruments.......you would have to be needed which I would guess is does the conductor perform pieces which require your rare instrument and how many composers used your rare instrument.</p>
<p>oboe/english horn</p>
<p>Nice idea that this is rare......I went to Interlochen for 8 summers and they always had plenty of both and in my HS we had both and now in college we have both. Less so for the English but there are more oboes than get into the groups. Nice thought you had but not very true. What part of the country are you from? Who have you studied with? That is almost more of an issue. Always good to hear from a reed wacker though! Good luck.</p>
<p>I honestly doubt that such instruments are that rare when it comes to places like Ivies. Those colleges tend to attract some of the very top young musicians in the world, including for the kind of instruments that you play.</p>
<p>You must have taken to heart the old anecdotal tales about schools taking oboe players.......it is a joke not a fact. I hope you have not taken any of these comments as bad things toward you but you do need to find out the facts and oboes are not rare.....english horns.....not rare.</p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>When my son took up bassoon a few years ago (after playing clarinet and sax), many people said they he had a good chance of receiving a college scholarship because of the bassoon. Remains to be seen if this is true or not (he is a senior this year).</p>
<p>janet</p>
<p>D played bassoon and currently plays it in two different orchestras at her college. I think it played a small role in getting her admitted - mostly because in a stroke of good luck her alumnus interviewer was also a bassoonist, and so they hit it off on that topic. It may have helped her make a favorable impression.</p>
<p>Also, when she enrolled and showed up on campus, some of the conductors contacted her to recruit her. They clearly had read something, probably the interviewer's report. Whether the conductors ever expressed any interest in her to the adcoms back when the admit decisions were being made or how much "pull" the conducters would have had, I have no idea. She was offered scholarships at various schools, but those were merit scholarships and were not linked to playing the bassoon.</p>
<p>FresnoMom....so he is a senior and is applying where? You may indeed find some merit money but I have not heard of merit money for musical instruments unless you are talking convervatory. I am curious where you are looking?</p>
<p>if u lived in nyc...or went to Frenchwoods festival of the performing arts...well put this way lived in ny and was in The ISO or was in a big orchestra/band at Frenchwoods like symphony and/or a pit then u could have a chance thats all i know...I think the Music Director(GReat guy by the way if you were to ever meet him he Conducted the pit for all 3 plays at my camp) of Frenchwoods(MR.Worsdale aka Brian or Worsdale) and who is founder/director of ISO has connections...my friend has connections b/c of him...she did a pit..and was in top Orchestras at Frenchwoods</p>
<p>Playing an instrument, even a less common one, probably won't help much barring unusual circumstances. However, IF you are exceptionally talented (as recognized by awards, selection for competitive ensembles or camps, performance history, etc.) AND the school happens to have a need for your instrument, a request from the orchestra conductor could be a boost.</p>
<p>Hi Hazmat</p>
<p>Son probably isn't applying to HYP type schools. We are considering CA schools like UCLA, UC San Diego, Pomona and USC. Son enjoys music but doesn't want to be a music major or anything like that. Thanks for asking!</p>
<p>It never hurts to look for money. As to schools who have monies dedicated to students from a particular area, special interest or whatever.....many alums donate funds that are dedicated or directed. Perhaps you can investigate. I chose not to focus on my music but I still take lessons and play in groups...I enjoy it tremendously and probably will always keep my foot in the music world. Good luck......have you looked into Butler Univ in Indianapolis or DePaul in Chicago? I know kids at both of those schools who do academics but play instruments.....also Northwestern. Just a thought.</p>