<p>Are there any opportunities to be in the orchestra or other ensembles in the Amherst area (e.g. 5 college consortia) without being a music major? And if so, what is the quality of these orchestras? My child (HS junior) is a talented violist, but does not want to major in music necessarily.</p>
<p>UMass does have a symphony orchestra, entrance is open to everyone, but you have to audition. I don’t know how hard it is for non-majors to get in. I imagine the other schools would have groups as well.</p>
<p>[University</a> Orchestra](<a href=“http://www.umass.edu/orchestra/Home.html]University”>http://www.umass.edu/orchestra/Home.html)</p>
<p>There are other groups, and theatre troupes putting on musicals, etc.</p>
<p>One of the professors has set up a page for the violinists an UMass, you could probably contact her directly to get a better feel:</p>
<p>[UMass</a> Violins](<a href=“http://www.umassviolins.org/]UMass”>http://www.umassviolins.org/)</p>
<p>String players are always in demand, there will be opportunities somewhere. As a last resort, your kid could switch to viola, conductors will be beating down their door. 
Trust me on this, I play viola. 
</p>
<p>ETA: Ok, I just noticed your kid <em>is</em> a violist. Don’t know why I read that as violinist.</p>
<p>My daughter auditioned for the music department - oboe. She spent a day in the music department and was really happy with the ensembles and the difficulty of the music they played - although she played with the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band, not the orchestra. (She would certainly be considered an advanced HS musician.)</p>
<p>I believe all students from all the schools in the consortium can audition for all ensembles, but I don’t know if any of the other school have an orchestra. You would have to check on that. There are also string ensembles at UMass. Sounds like they really need violas - which is good news for your daughter!</p>
<p>My daughter has been accepted academically to the school and now she is waiting to hear from the music department. Tap, tap, tap, fidget, fidget, fidget!</p>
<p>The Orchestra and Symphony Bands are definitely open to non-majors. I’ve heard both of them play and they’re pretty good (to my ear that quit all music after I graduated high school)</p>
<p>The one thing to keep in mind is that they practice three times a week for a pretty significant chunk of time in the afternoon. If you’re a science major, this makes scheduling labs difficult sometimes (but not impossible, I have a friend who has managed to juggle the two for several semesters but I believe its taken some careful planning on his part)</p>
<p>I just found out that Amherst College also has an orchestra. So there would be another playing opportunity.</p>
<p>I too play the viola, and although its been sitting in its case for a few months, I might pick it up again for the orchestra.</p>
<p>My brother played with the conductor for the umass orchestra in all-states and said the conductor was the best he’s ever had. I’ve also heard rave reviews from one of my other brother’s friends who currently plays double bass in the umass orchestra.</p>
<p>Violas are in high demand pretty much wherever you go. I don’t think he (she?) would have any trouble getting in, although I can’t say for sure since i’ve never heard him/her play</p>
<p>Thanks for this info, all! My D plays the violin in her high school symphony orchestra and might be coming to UMASS in the fall and that was one of the questions we had. Sounds like great opportunities are there for the taking.</p>
<p>Don’t mean to derail the thread, but on a related note, are there jazz ensembles open to non-music majors?</p>