<p>I've been first in both instruments at a local orchastra for the last couple years, as well as my school, and I've had about 8 years of experiance with both instruments. How does Princeton view an instrument less widely played like the oboe in regards to admission?</p>
<p>Yea I think it's great. Much more unique than say... a violin, which is very good.</p>
<p>so if i play some exotic asian instrument in a local asian orchestra, won't that be a bigger hook?</p>
<p>english horn players are definitely more rare than oboe players, but both will be more helpful than say....clarinet (that's what I play...it is waaaay too common)</p>
<p>Joethemole - yes, as long as you're good, and you actually use your playing skills at your school or some community.</p>
<p>Many oboists are doublers on English horn.....at least in my experience. IF they just accepted 4 oboe players as underclassmen it may not help you.....ask around and try to find out how many upperclassmen are playing your instrument.</p>
<p>Joethemole-what instrument are you exactly talking about?</p>
<p>What if you are not that good at such an instrument but perform frequently?</p>
<p>Does an orchastra director have little or any pull in admissions?</p>
<p>IDK, I'm interested in that as well. Here's my take:</p>
<p>I'm sure if you are a musical prodigy then it would most likely be evident in your application, but if not (you are really good but didn't compete much, etc.) then I'd hazard a guess that an orchestra director could make a case for you if you happen to be very good and could nicely round out the depleted oboe section. If you send a tape and it isn't very good, then I doubt the director would tell the adcoms that you are bad; I don't think it would negatively effect you. However, I could be wrong.</p>
<p>Hah! That would be funny. I was thinking of recording some of the concert pieces we'll be playing (where I'll be playing some tenor sax solos) but if it's not that well played, then the music director would just bash me. Or maybe not. Ugh.</p>
<p>I've been told that good bassoon players are in great demand.</p>
<p>Better then my piano... So I hope they like accordion.</p>
<p>I used to play the bassoon from 5th-10th grade. Too bad I quit that..</p>
<p>I don't play any unique instruments, but I play 4 of them! Hopefully that's somewhat unique....</p>
<p>Haha, Bassoons... the bassoons in my local youth orchestra are NEVER in tune.</p>
<p>My piano teacher has been teaching for quite some time at the New England Conservatory and has aided tons of students with their auditions/CDs for the college process. According to her, what the music dept. people at the colleges to which you're applying are really looking for is personality. For us, the CDs are an audio version of the essay. These people listen to (perhaps) scores of CDs and after a while they simply disregard the "boring" ones and notice the ones that stand out for their ability to musically communicate. They don't care much if you are a technical genius if the music you produce is devoid of personality. Similarly, even if you are not a virtuoso, your CD is still capable of making a big impact on its listeners.</p>
<p>Therefore, when you record, above all make sure you exaggerate the dynamics and the phrasing, because when they listen to your playing you are not there to emphasize with your bodily language the sentiment of the music. It is the natural tendency of recordings to lose some of the intended musicality of your performance. </p>
<p>Because these audition CDs have the same effect as personal essays, they CAN hurt your application. If you have been playing _____ instrument since you were 5, and indicate that you spent 20 hours/wk on said instrument, and you turn in a mediocre/flat CD - that either says something about you, your talent, or both. It essentially sends the message that this extracurricular of yours, that you claim to be one of your most important/meaningful, can now be disregarded.</p>
<p>My impression of sending in a musical CD is that the admissions office claims that it can do no harm to your application, when in fact this does in actuality occur despite it not being an official policy.</p>
<p>as a current princeton student, i can verify that orchestra conductors and those other people that evaluate your artistic supplements DO have a say in admissions, and they can definitely help put your file through if they feel like you would be an asset to their program....given, you must still be stellar academically, but at a school where according to the dean of admissions, they receive over 10,000 applicants who "are qualified", you definitely need something to make you stand out, and artistic ability is the perfect thing, especially with the new $101 million given by Peter Lewis for a new creative and performing arts center/initiative.</p>
<p>My child is at Princeton and is heavily involved in the performing arts:
1. Yes, the orchestra director has some influence with the admissions committee. If you are otherwise qualified, having the music director indicate an interest in you is a definite plus.
2. No, a bad audition will not hurt you. The music director does not provide the admissions committee with a critique of every tape. He simply indicates those students who he wishes to recommend for consideration.
3. If you send in a tape, it should be a solo piece, and you should have it done at a recording studio if possible. The directors listen to hundreds of tapes a year. They can typically tell within the first minute what level of expertise you have on your instrument. My recommendation would be that you perform the most technically challenging piece that you can play expertly.
4. Many of the performers are very good. A considerable number could easily have chosen to go to elite conservatories. There are several students who are so good they have no time to play with the Princeton Orchestra because they are performing with professional orchestras. If you are not at least at an All State level on your instrument, you are probably not of interest to the music director.</p>