<p>Just wondering because I'm pretty hot at the viola. Viola's are not so common you know...(or so I would like to think)</p>
<p>go home.......and learn to play the oboe</p>
<p>Violas are so common! I would say something is uncommon when you are the only person that plays your particular instrument in your school...
Although Violas are not the most popular stringed instrument, they are a close second behind the violin.
Some instruments that are popular:
1) Any orchestral instrument except harp and maybe bass
2) Flute
3) Clarinet
4) Alto Saxophone
5) Trumpet
6) Trombone?</p>
<p>Less popular, but more weight for admissions committees:
1) Harp
2) Oboe
3) Bassoon
4) Baritone Sax</p>
<p>I'm sorry, violas are just second fiddle.</p>
<p>If you could play the viola and then also play Squash, you would be in.</p>
<p>even playing a relatively obscure instrument won't necessarily get you in. I'm a harpist who took 3rd in state solo/ensemble in harp, and I got rejected from the McGill music program (granted, it was my backup program choice so I didn't do a live audition).</p>
<p>I used to play viola. I quit.</p>
<p>I know that violists are in extremely low supply. They always have been; they always will be.</p>
<p>But, you know what? Being a violist makes you unique. I say advertise that.</p>
<p>On this site it may not be too unique, but in the real world it is. I say highlight it on your appl., assuming it takes up alot of your time and you have worked hard to succeed in it. I wish I played the viola...:)</p>
<p>Snuffles, I'm sorry to hear that... but you know what? Viola's are considered "third" fiddles. :D</p>
<p>There are many jokes among string quartet players that violists are in such short supply one must overlook all their faults. (This is the non-insulting abstract.) This is also true in many/most college orchestras. Violists are very, very handy to have around. I think it will help you.</p>
<p>i heard through the grapevine that harvard is looking for a viola player. unfortunately all the accordian spots were taken last week.</p>
<p>i don't think it's that special because i have a handful of friends who were amazing violinists who were able to pick up and master the viola just as well in about a month or less. Viola just equals a string instrument so you're not special.</p>
<p>How about French horn players? Even though I'm not planning to major in music, could this be a niche for me at Ivy League schools?</p>
<p>Please view my stats thread here:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=13433%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=13433</a></p>
<p>-Chris</p>
<p>I switched to bari sax this year. It's a lot more fun than my five years of flute ever was. :D</p>
<p>damn... i bet you guys aren't even in an orchestra...</p>
<p>yeah juba! I've been playing the Bari for the last 5 years (as well as marching band and before bari, alto for 3 years) and it is awesome... Although we may not get much melody, it's just fun playing it :)</p>
<p>yay for flute, piano, AND harp... all-state on flute and qualified to try out on harp this year! too bad everyone plays flute and piano..</p>
<p>What about French Horn?</p>
<p>I play First Horn in my orchestra.</p>
<p>My bro is the only oboest in his orchestra at school.</p>
<p>Viola is not super-rare, but not that popular. What does "pretty hot" mean to you? If it means, "I'd have a better-than-even shot at the major conservatories," than viola will definitely help you. If it means, "I'm competent, and could probably be better with some work," it will also help because (no offense) standards for viola are lower than for violin and cello, especially at the student level.</p>