<p>Hey. I was wondering...how are the music opportunities on campus for non-music majors? I love to sing, although I'm definitely not conservatory-level or anything close to that. I'd really like to sing in some sort of choir/ensemble in college. However, are all of the spots in music groups filled by conservatory students? If I have to compete with them, I don't think I'll make it into anything...</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>My son is a sophmore at Oberlin. During first semester freshman year he sang with a choir that did not require any auditions. It was open to anyone who wanted to join and I think it rehearsed once a week. They did a major work with orchestra and he enjoyed it quite a bit. He hasn't returned, however, as he got interested in doing some other things and there is only so much time... :)</p>
<p>Music opportunities greatly vary! I think that there are more opportunities for singers than instrumentalists since there are many different vocal ensembles. Besides the one shennie mentioned, there's another larger ensemble by audition, a medieval ensemble, and a capella groups. These are mostly college students. I believe that there is a separate choir for con students too, and opera is basically only connies. The lesson situation is also pretty good (you can take lessons for credits=they're free!), though it's rare that a non-major will end up with a professor as a teacher (at the same time, student teachers are really good too). However, it's very hard to get into required con classes as a non-major or do any chamber groups.
In general, you will have to be pretty self-motivated in order to participate since auditions and other opportunities aren't always advertised. Once you seek things out, though, I find that there is a mix of great opportunities and barriers to non-con students. I think in your case you will be fine, though for people with other musical interests it might be harder to get involved in certain aspects.</p>
<p>My freshman year, I sang in College Singers; Women's Choir; Musical Union and Voices for Christ. The first two needed auditions, the latter two didn't. The conductors (Hugh Flloyd!) are so sweet. You can also start a band!</p>
<p>same question but for violin: not a connie, but want to play in ensemble(s) at Oberlin. Chances?</p>
<p>This was the main reason Oberlin went from top choice to third choice for my D and her saxophone. We went on two campus tours and talked to an admissions counselor hoping to get a different answer. They said that auditions for lessons, alone, was extremely competitive since 70% of the general student body is musical.</p>
<p>D, who loves her instrument, decided to go to a school where she could have fun with it and not have to compete for it.</p>
<p>Son plays the viola and is not in the con. He is currently playing in a chamber group that some students organized. They do everything themselves and don't have a coach. There is a community strings program that doesn't require an audition but my son really misses playing in an orchestra. He tells me that there is a group of students trying to get a non-audition orchestra going but are having problems with trying to come up with the funds to pay an conductor. I don't know where that project is at currently.</p>
<p>Ironic that there would be a bit of a 'musical desert' in such a place as Oberlin, a palce known for music culture EVERYWHERE..</p>
<p>Hmm. As far as private lessons go, are they as competitive for vocalists as they are for instrumentalists?</p>
<p>I have never heard that auditions for lessons are competitive; and though I agree that a lot of students on campus are musical, not everyone tries to get lessons. Some are harder to get into, though I think it depends on how many student teachers there are for each instrument. The only one I know that may be more difficult is piano, since I didn't get into that, but got into lessons with another fairly popular instrument, though my skill level was comparable. Usually when auditioning you have to be fairly advanced; if you are a beginner, don't get in to auditions, or don't have enough time to put into for-credit lessons, there is a different option (the sign-up lessons). Lessons for credit are free but also more intense. You can also sign up for lessons without auditioning, but need to pay $7.50 per lesson. Either way, they will most likely be with a student (though you can only get profs through auditioning). So, basically, you can find a way to get lessons if you want them.
The chances of getting into college community strings/winds are pretty good if you are a decent player. They are good ensembles, but unfortunately the only ensembles currently available for college students. All of the con ensembles are pretty much out of league for college students, though sometimes I think string players can get into oberlin orchestra. I have also heard mentions of a college orchestra in the works so that might be more a presence by next year.
As I mentioned above, there are definitely opportunities, though it may not always be exactly what you want.</p>
<p>In case I wasn't clear in my last post, you audition for for-credit lessons. The ones you arrange yourself are not for credit.</p>
<p>It depends on skill. Most musicians, whether formal or informal, like to work with people at similar levels. However, the conservatory doesn't snatch away all music opportunities, but adds an incredible wealth of options. There are performance groups for students who practice their instrument for 5 hours a day; there are also groups for students who practice for an hour or so every other day... The con brings incredible guest performers and teachers, and creates lots of musicians and ensembles. There are a lot of performance opportunities, in Community Strings, in pit orchestras, in folk bands....</p>
<p>to mallomar:
Auditions for sax are not auditions for voice or piano... For-credit lessons (with a prof or student) do require an audition, but for-pay lessons (with a student teacher) don't. There are also, again, an enormous amount of opportunities to be musical on campus. And they're all fun. :D</p>