<p>As a freshman who is interested in Wind Ensemble at UCSD, I was surprised to find that all 75 of the 75 spaces in the class were still available this morning after checking WebReg. I would love to sign up for it, but I still have a few questions.
Can anyone who is a continuing student tell me if freshmen usually take the class in their first fall quarter? What would you say about the instrumental music quality in general? Do pep band and Wind Ensemble "gigs" conflict with one another? Any information would be appreciated. I'm a non-music major, but I would still like to be in a performance group of some kind. Based on your knowledge of the department and campus opinion, which ensemble(s) is most respected?
Thanks!</p>
<p>i can answer one of your questions.</p>
<p>-no, freshman usually do not take music classes their first quarter. the only music class that's really popular for a first quarter class is something like music 15. </p>
<p>music is not really big at ucsd. thinking about it, i know nobody that is majoring or minoring in music. they must be on campus though..... hiding... with their cello...</p>
<p>i'm not really qualified to answer your other questions, sorry.</p>
<p>i'll take a giant stab at your questions =)</p>
<p>all 75 spaces say they are filled because you need departmental approvement to take the class. this is done by attending the 1st rehearsal- i know, the first day of school (that sucks) and "auditioning." and by auditioning, i mean showing the prof that you at least know how to play your instrument. no kidding. im pretty sure it's open enrollment... like as many people can take the class- i dont think it ever reached 75 people though.</p>
<p>anyone is more than welcome to take this class, including first-year, first-qtr freshemen! it's not a rigorous class. sometimes, the music that the Bob (the prof) hands out is challenging because no one practices, but i would encourage you to do it anyway. you meet a lot of cool people and just have fun =) i know, it kinda sucks that the music quality isn't great, but really, take it!</p>
<p>i think WE is the best choice for non-music majors who just want to stay a little involved. </p>
<p>and if you're into the more peppy stuff, i know that pep band is always having a blast at bb games and such.. im not in it, but i know some people, and they have some crazy fun =) and no, these two groups do not conflict with one another. WE does one concert in the 10th week of classes... pep band has stuff all throughout the year.</p>
<p>as for which ensemble is more respected... uh, i dont think anyone really cares to compare. WE is a class; whereas Pep Band is a recreational club... so it's different. if you're looking for more of a musical challenge, i think you could enroll in chamber groups, or look to other groups like the orchestra... whatever floats your boat!</p>
<p>i'm also compelled to mention that ucsd wants to start a marching band this year =) check it out on facebook and join if you're interested!</p>
<p>hope this helps... feel free to ask me any other questions- im a closet music nerd (lol jk)... what instrument do you play? =)</p>
<p>hi! I'm going to minor in music and have like 5,001 questions. Hope I'm not impeding on anyone's thread but I'm going to ask a few... </p>
<p>I play piano and am going to try out for private lessons on Sept. 22nd. Do you (anyone) have any idea how difficult it is to get those lessons? I'm doing advanced so I have to have 3 pieces prepared... I've been pretty much just doing that all summer but I'm still not sure how competitive it's going to be.. also, I signed up for a music class my first quarter (just Mus4, Intro to Western Music) b/c I read on this sheet that you have to be enrolled in a music class if you want to take private lessons (which by the way, I think the 'class' is Music 132?)?? Anyways, any more info would be great... =P
.</p>
<p>i'll teach you piano for FREE.</p>
<p>I'll teach piano for free also. Well, almost.
Only if you can tutor me in math.</p>
<p>I'm one of those freshmen taking MUS 15, by the way.</p>
<p>haha. Thanks... I'm not sure if you guys are serious or not. I kind of need an authority figure to teach me in a class so that I'm sure to keep practicing.. I've been playing for like 10 years and don't want to drop it but if I have no reason to practice then that is exactly what will happen, ya know?</p>
<p>i've heard piano is pretty competitive, but their are two groups...the more advanced take lessons from professors and get 4 units, while others (still pretty talented players i'm guessing) take lessons from grad students for 2 units. fakeplastictrees - i'm guessing you'll definitely make it considering you've played for 10 years</p>
<p>i'm not sure how it works for wind ensemble, but for chamber orchestra and the symphony orchestra, you have to audition. i was in the symphony for all of my freshmen year, so it's not entirely unusual for freshmen to be in performance classes. lots of freshmen take private lessons, as well.</p>
<p>oh and private lessons is Music 32</p>
<p>hm, that's something i did not know (about 2 vs. 4 units) I assume the 'advanced' that take lessons from profs are probably majoring in music or something..</p>
<p>Thank you for the detailed information. I really appreciate the quick responses.
As for your question ucsdisway1337, I've been playing flute now for nine years. I just came out of marching band at my high school and really loved it. I'm excited to hear that there may be a new MB in the works for UCSD.</p>
<p>MUS 32 is the 2-unit one- usually taught by a grad student
MUS 132 is the 4-unit one- usually taught by a professor</p>
<p>I had a friend audition for piano lessons last year and he did not make it. However, I'm not a good judge of technique! haha</p>
<p>But the teachers are all really nice~ try to get the lady one, she's so sweet</p>
<p>ok this comment doesnt help all that much but oh well</p>
<p>hmm. Yeah. I'm trying out for 132. Which kind of freaks me out now... because I don't really know what I'm going to do if I don't make it. I'm sure there are other options but to keep playing consistenly & improving I feel like I need lessons.... Gaaaah.. I'm worried. I wonder how many spots they have open anyway..</p>
<p>if it helps, im 95% sure you dont have to have your pieces memorized? oh well im sure you will be fine if you've been playing for that long.</p>
<p>dont stress =) and besides, if you try for 132, and they decide not to pick you, im pretty sure they'll put you in 32</p>
<p>i know~ lessons at school are awesome bc you dont have to pay AND you get graded units.</p>
<p>Hahahah! If they had to be memorized I would be 100% in deep ****. Hehe..I'll try to stress less, it doesn't sound too bad.
You wouldn't happen to know anything about the arpeggios/scales they claim you need to play? Because the 3 peices I have prepared are pretty much 10 minutes already (or longer) not to mention that it sounds like it should be pretty cramped... 2 - 5 (I think) 10 minute auditions?! That doesn't sound like that many people get to try out..</p>
<p>Scout, are you interested in joining the marching band? I'm one of the students leading it next year, and we'd love to have you! Check out our Facebook site, or send an email to <a href="mailto:tritonmarchingband@hotmail.com">tritonmarchingband@hotmail.com</a></p>
<p>Well, I just joined the marching band facebook group :) Here's hoping for a great year, and thanks for the info Jasonian.</p>