<p>I have a question for current Oles. Obviously, the music department at St. Olaf is amazing. I was wondering how difficult is it to get into the St. Olaf Band? What year are most of the musicians in the St. Olaf Band in? and how much of a commitment is it to be in the St. Olaf Band? also, all of these questions for the Norseman Band (and other ensembles if people are interested)? Thanks!</p>
<p>Ooh, I can help! :-)</p>
<p>I'm in the St. Olaf band (freshman), and it is a big time commitment. I don't know what kind of music program your high school has, but I came from a program where I never had to touch my band music outside of rehearsal. Here, much of my practice time goes into woodshedding difficult passages. (BTW, I play the clarinet). We rehearse three afternoons a week for an hour and a half for most of the year, but right now during January we are preparing for our annual tour, so we practice four days a week for two hours a day. It is a big time commitment I'll admit, but getting into the band here has by far been the best thing that has ever happened to me. </p>
<p>Getting in is not easy, especially as in the last few years there has been an influx of qualified people applying to the school for the music program. Our band director announced a few weeks ago that they have over 600 people applying for the music scholarships this year (that is for all areas of study, however, instrumental and vocal.) </p>
<p>What instrument do you play, and what grade are you? I could probably give you a little more insight into your chances (nothing gaurunteed, just what I've seen) if I knew this information. This year we actually had about 40 new members, but not all of them are freshmen. I think it's generally a pretty equal number in each grade.</p>
<p>If you make it in, the experience will be amazing. The band director had thought that this year was going to be a total building year for the band because of how many new members we have, but he's said that it is the best St. Olaf band there has ever been. Rumor has it that in 2009 we are going to Japan for a tour. I'm so excited! </p>
<p>The norseman band is not as big of a time commitment. I'm not sure what level you play at, but it seems that most people who don't make Ole band make norseman (this isn't always the case). They practice the same amount as the St. Olaf band (hour and a half 3 days a week) but the outside requirements aren't nearly as numerous. The music I've heard is easier, and they don't do the week-long tour. </p>
<p>Feel free to ask any more questions, I'd love to answer them, and I'd love to see you in the St. Olaf band!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info!</p>
<p>I'm a senior in hs right now and I play the flute. How many people are in each of the bands?</p>
<p>Right now there are three senior flutes in the St. Olaf band (out of 13), and I think just one in Norseman. However, there are three senior flutes in the orchestra, so there may be a few from Ole band who make orchestra next year and choose not to continue in band (It is possible to be in both Ole Band and Ole Orchestra, but it's a major time commitment.)</p>
<p>Hey, thanks for providing these insights! I'm looking to attend St. Olaf next year and I play the trombone. I was wondering how many people are in the section / how competitive is it to get in. I was under the impression that most incoming freshman did not make it into the St. Olaf Band. Also, any information you have on the Jazz Ensembles would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>liberalarts4me,</p>
<p>According to my trombonist friend, it shouldn't be too difficult to get into the St. Olaf Band on trombone. It's not the strongest instrument here. There will be one spot in the band, as well as one in orchestra, where the strongest trombonists are. My friend highly encourages you to come, because St. Olaf needs more high-quality trombonists.</p>
<p>There are three jazz ensembles, and my impression is that it's easier to get into even the top ensemble than band - there are people who didn't even make Norseman, the lesser band. So, if you have some experience with jazz, you should be able to get into a decent jazz band.</p>
<p>My D has been invited to audition for a music scholarship. Her letter says there were 650 applicants. Do you know how many of those are invited to the audition? We just got the letter today, but she has to let them know by Feb 8 whether she will pursue it. The audition weekend is the same as All State in Georgia, so, if her chances are pretty slim, she probably wouldn't want to back out now from her All State commitment. (She plays violin, if that makes a difference.)</p>
<p>My D was not invited to audition. Her letter said that they chose 325 out of 650 to come to campus. She would have been auditioning in voice. It was very disappointing.</p>
<p>She was accepted to the college but without acceptance to the music program she is no longer interested in St. Olaf.</p>
<p>I think the voice program is extremely tough to get into. D's letter said that 55 of all those invited to audition were non-majors (like her) auditioning for scholarship only, so that meant 270 are auditioning to get into the program. I already told my D I bet a disproportionate number of those are voice, since that is what the school is known for. My D's letter said that not only did they have more applicants this year than usual, but those applicants were uniformly of a higher quality.</p>
<p>I think I remember reading, flyingwoman, that your D has been well-received at other schools, so that has to be encouraging. Best of luck with her decision!</p>