<p>How renowned is the Duke Symphony Orchestra, and how hard is it to get in as a violinist?</p>
<p>Yeah, I'd like to know this too...I've been playing classical violin for 15 years and I'd like to continue it on the side.</p>
<p>bump................</p>
<p>Duke has a score or more music majors (don't know exact numbers)..and a few of the students in the orchestra are indeed highly accomplished and some are proficient on more than one instrument. There is a little library that is music only. Duke students in the Orchestra played many years growing up and in their local orchestras but few are interested in conservatory quality rehearsal hours and burdens while in college. This made the Duke Orchestra a perfect match for my son who needs to play to feel emotionally happy but he is not a conservatory quality talent. There is an audition when you are a newbie as a freshman. I can't speak intelligently about level of difficulty for getting in, and perhaps this varies from instrument to instrument but it is clearly user friendly for students willing to rehearse two good long evenings per week. There is a website where all is explained. This is not a conservatory orchestra, but performances are "reviewed" in the local classical music bulletins and attended by local adults..perhaps more than by Dukestudents. The Music Hall is the domed building dominating East, which is pretty cozy for first years who can stroll over easily...upperclassmen have to get on the buses from West to get to rehearsals but I think upperclassmen enjoy an excuse to return to East where many have fond memories. I will throw in here that acoustics are poor and that the Duke Orchestra deserves a venue with wonderful sound but for some reason this is never on the front burner in Duke building plans. (here! here! you new kids need to lobby for this!) The Duke music guest performance series available is simply breathtaking, and you have to plan ahead to get a seat when world famous performers visit Duke as adults in the Triad buy seats too. My son is also a faithful fan of Duke's own Ciompi Quartet..a very amiable group of players who in many cases offer private lessons when not on tour themselves.
My son took private lesson his first year for a reasonable fee. You are allowed to come and go in the Duke Orchestra if you study abroad or if your academic semester work precludes you from a season of rehearsals but most students stick it out for the majority of the four years out of a sense of belonging and loyalty to the Conductor. Conductor Davidson is highly thought of and knows every student by name. Students are quite fond of him and he is no slacker..they attack challenging things. My son was particularly proud of playing for a full Mozart Opera production a year or so back..new experience. He is also very proud to know the most talented players in the orchestra and the whole group cheers on their annual peer soloist in April. The Orchestra also makes a bus trip to Duke's Cancer Hospital in Beaufort, SC which is tremendously relaxing and fun. Tickets raise big bucks for the hospital and the students are treated warmly as guests in this fun beach town, former home to Pat Conroy. My son tells me that strings are stronger than ever, and they did sound wonderful in their April concert this year. There is a once a year competition and the most talented student enjoys a featured solo with the support of the orchestra..this year was a Sibelius violin concerto.<br>
My son was on the fence about coming to Duke at all and decided to attend Duke after observing the Spring Concert on a Blue Devil Day because of the obvious espirit de corps and friendship factor in the orchestra among students. In April, every senior in the Orchestra pens a good-bye in the program. I have attended twice and am always impressed by how much Orchestra seems to meet the emotional needs of our students who are pretty driven people and seem to view Orchestra as a place for renewal every week. There is a student posting on CC named lex I think who is currently in Orchestra. There are lockers in the Biddle building next door where you can leave your instrument between rehearsals and there are of course some rehearsal private rooms too. If you Google, you will find the local "reviews" of Duke's recent seasons. good luck and welcome to the Duke Orchestra..guarantee you will enjoy it.</p>
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<p>I was going to ask how secure the lockers are...I'm uncomfortable leaving my instrument in a room with my roommate, who I may or may not end up liking.</p>
<p>Some students have valuable instruments. My son leaves his locked up most of the time in Biddle. You can email a professor or the conductor for specific questions.</p>