<p>Does anyone know how difficult it is to get into the Bard College Orchestra as a non music major? My daughter is a junior looking at LAC's, plays the cello and wants to continue to play
her cello in college in an Orchestra. Do only a few non music majors get in? or is it a pretty good mix of both majors and non majors. Thanks!</p>
<p>The Bard College Orchestra is an auditioned orchestra but there is a wide range of players admitted. I think the majority of the players are non music majors - I doubt the music department is big enough to field an entire orchestra! They rehearse once a week, and perform in the Frank Gehry designed hall.</p>
<p>The Bard Conservatory orchestra, on the other hand, is extremely difficult to get into as a non conservatory student - but there are auditions held each year so it is theoretically possible.</p>
<p>There are also chamber ensembles/workshops open to all students in the college.</p>
<p>The only ensemble which has a regular mix of conservatory players and non-conservatory players is the student run ensemble - Contemporaneous. There are non-Bard players, and graduates, in the ensemble, as well.</p>
<p>As SpiritManager says, the Bard College orchestra includes a wide range of players, including some conservatory students who are playing on a different instrument from their main one (especially violinists trying out viola). As a cellist, she would also be in demand for quartets in the college. And of course, private lessons are a perk for Bard students who play in the orchestra.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the info. I had read somewhere on CC that there were 2 Orchestras at Bard, but the Bard website seems unclear on this so I appreciate the feedback.</p>