Music at Chicago

<p>Anywhere here going to try out for a Chicago Jazz Band or Orchestra. I was considering it. (Percussionist) How good does one have to be? What kind of rehearsal schedule is it? Just curious.</p>

<p>I'd also like to know. I'm interested in jazz band (I play trumpet).</p>

<p>Cool. I doubt I would be good enough to play jazz vibes at Chicago, but I might be able to do either the Pep Band (if there is one) or the Orchestra, but I don't know if I am good enough either.</p>

<p>If you get in, you will have a chance to meet with the variousl music folks during admitted students days in April. You might also want to email the various conductors/leaders in advance. Their contact info is on the web. </p>

<p>If I recall, the U. orchestra rehearses one evening a week. My D, a string player, says the quality is good, but not great. No surprise, since Chicago does not have a performance music major.</p>

<p>Regarding electives, my D found the 14100 music theory too easy. She switched up to 15100, loved it but called it her hardest class.</p>

<p>I will have to check out the music theory classes, since I would rather do that for my music elective than take Intro to Western Music. Does it count under that catergory in the humanites 6 quarter requirement? I am already admitted, and plan to go to admit weekend, unless another University calls...</p>

<p>I'm in orchestra (assistant concertmaster) and my conductor is familiar with the orchestra program at uchicago. He said that it's top notch, although he sounded sure that I could be in it and I'm good but not stellar.</p>

<p>Hmm. It's hard to define good isn't it. What does everyone here play? I emailed them, asking if they will send me information. I asked them specifically about time commitments and what type of requirements/competition there is for percussionists. I will let you know when I hear back!</p>

<p>i play violin (although i suppose that kind of went along with being assistant concermaster.... right)</p>

<p>Our school is poor, so no strings for us. I wouldn't know much about being a concertmaster, but we have the one of, if not the best marching band program in the midwest (5 state region) and are coached by 1994 World Tenor Drum Champion. So, decent everything else, outstanding marching band, but that isn't important at the collegiate level.</p>

<p>i bet the quality of your marching band and drum corps is important for college when you want to do percussion. do you want to play in the symphony or in a more band-style group?</p>

<p>I would really rather play in the symphony. It was cool to be a top dawg drumline, but I kinda prefer symphonic music, although I am not as good at it. I guess I would see what they have. The guy emailed me back and gave me links to the site, which wasn't that helpful, but he forwarded it to someone who may be able to help more.</p>

<p>that's cool. then we'll probably see each other in the uchicago symphony next year.</p>

<p>I'm a violinist and I am tempted to go for the orchestra. I'm not that great (well I suppose I have been comparing myself these past years to people who are now headed off as preformance majors) and I could probobly stand to practice more often, but I love being in orchestra.</p>

<p>The way I see the chicago orchestra is that its not as hard to get into (no preformance majors) but it is still quite good because many musicians are good students and chicago draws the good students who dont want to make a life out of their music.</p>

<p>how long have you been playing, otto?</p>

<p>Everyone here is trying out for the (symphony) orchestra...Is anyone else interested in the Wind Ensemble?</p>

<p>I've been playing since 4th grade so that makes it...<em>counts</em> this would be my 9th year.</p>

<p>i'm definitely going to audition for the orchestra.</p>

<p>i've played the violin for 12 years, and i'm the concertmaster of my school orchestra, which is performing at carnegie hall this june and has performed on NPR etc. its good to hear that the uchicago symphony is good but not too cut-throat - i'm not majoring in music because i don't think i could stand all that practicing...does anyone know how hard it is to actually get in?</p>

<p>oh man, me too, otto! what are you guys working on right now? I'm working through lalo's symphonie espagnole.
ps: looks like i'll be sitting behind you next year, twinkle</p>