<p>Don't worry about orchestra auditions; they aren't stressful at all. There are very talented musicians here--but keep in mind that because they're so talented, many of them choose not to participate in orchestras/ensembles at Columbia and instead choose to join orchestras at Juilliard.</p>
<p>The Bach Society used to be stronger, but several of the "better" players left the orchestra this school year, so it's sounding kind of weak. </p>
<p>The music department in general is kind of unorganized here. I was kind of disappointed. But yes, there are many talented musicians here. Some of us met have met at the Aspen Music Festival in previous years/other places as well. If you are a passionate musician, there are definitely many opportunities for you here--they might not be the greatest, but you can definitely be very involved in music if you choose to be.</p>
<p>I know several of the musicians (one vocalist in my year) who are in the Juilliard exchange. Juilliard + classes at Columbia (especially the core requirements in the first two years here) is not the greatest combination...it is an amazing amount of stress. Some people opt to just take lessons for that reason (so they can still audition for music grad schools).</p>
<p>If you don't get into Juilliard, check out teachers at MSM (since it's so much closer) or area teachers (if you're in SEAS, you can take lessons from teachers in the Columbia Teachers College for free). Best of luck to you all!</p>
<p>i want to go to seas, so yea i just want to take lessons, so let me get this straight, there's 2 orchestras? one for the college and one for julliard?? and i think i can do the repertoire thing</p>
<p>Juilliard actually has a few, for Juilliard students. You can't be in it if you're only a Columbia student. I guess Columbia-Juilliard kids can be in it. . .</p>
<p>I just want to add that several of my friends, after coming to Columbia, have realized that their true passion lies in music and that they are sure that they want to pursue music as a career; therefore, several of them decided to audition this past month at some of the most prestigious music schools in the world. I guess what I'm trying to say is that many awesome musicians do come here, and also that college can change your mind about what you want to do. So really, don't stress out too much about stuff--you'll find your way as well as realize what truly interests you. =)</p>
<p>thnx for all the help, tho this isn't my thread to begin with... i assume the violinists at julliard are amazing... i think my teacher went there, would a letter from her help</p>
<p>what do you mean you think she went there? She either did or didn't. My friend's teacher went to curtis, and she doesn't "think" he went there, she knows it. Anyhow, if she did go there, yea, a rec probably would help, as long as she didn't fail!(just kidding, anyone who went to julliard is amazing, please don't be offended)</p>
<p>well... i THINK because i have several teachers, and i can't get straight whether my current one went to oberlin or julliard... as such it is easy to get things confused... i didn't want to put that she went there because i wasn't sure</p>
<p>Columbia admissions people don't like recs from private teachers (they use "piano teacher" in the FAQ, warning against it). If you get a rec from her, though, IT WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD IDEA TO ALSO SEND A CD. Because lots of teachers with Juilliard (learn the spelling, please; everyone does it wrong all the time) / Curtis / whatever training still have untalented or lazy or beginning students, so a rec from the teacher doesn't mean all that much by itself, unless there are some great personal experiences between you two that your teacher could share. If it's just like, "He practices most of the time and usually plays pretty well," then screw it. It's important to back up music lessons on the app with something you have to show for it, like a CD or some awards or some compositions, and an indication of the amount of time spent on it and the importance of it. Otherwise it's just another not terribly significant school club membership or something like that.</p>
<p>thanks again jono, i think i can do that... i'm pretty close with the teacher actually, i've been with her for almost 11 years... and over that time i've had my share of experiences, and plus i was planning on sending a cd anyway, so it can't hurt right?</p>
<p>It can hurt if you're not good, because it would indicate you're not that dedicated, but if you are dedicated, then it will definitely help. It could help a lot depending on how good the CD is.</p>
<p>jono, what if the teacher and the student play in the same symphony?
Would that count as an experience together? She told me that her teacher thinks highly of her, and recommended her to the conductor, but i dunno, would that count as a personal experience together?</p>
<p>By itself, it isn't that personal. But there is a reason the teacher thinks so highly of her, and that could be good for a recommendation. I don't mean a testimony of a person's musical ability, though. A CD and some awards or accomplishments will take care of that more effectively than a recommendation. What I mean are stories about the person's character. Just like you wouldn't want your recommendation writer to say, "he gets good grades on all of my tests and has always been prepared for class," you want the teacher to say "every class needs someone like this boy, approaching the class with an attitude that makes the rest of the class. . . [some statements about his personality]. . . the first time I met him he was bla bla bla. . . . he has also come to me for help with his outside projects, such as [bla] . . ." you know?</p>
<p>are you congratulating ME on Juilliard??? Because I didn't get in yet!!! Aaahh! I won't know for two weeks I don't think! And then in two weeks I'll probably get somewhat depressed and then get over it since I'm already going to college anyway. . . boohoo. They have 9 spots for my instrument and SO MANY applicants. Geez, it's just hopeless. It is so much easier getting into one of the top academic schools, at least for me. Juilliard definitely puts the stress of applying to college in perspective. If the ivies were gonna be like Juilliard, they'd have their applicants come to a hearing with the faculty in which they'd argue some academic thesis or present the results of some academic project, and then the faculty, famous ones and all, would grade you on stage presence, project quality, individuality. . . Yeah, applying to academic schools is definitely easier.</p>
<p>oops, sorry jono, but yea music is stressful. Haven't said so on cc, but i'ma vionlist myself, and i plan on doube majoring. and let's just say school is much easier than music competitons.</p>