<p>I'm a pretty serious musician myself and, though I am not looking to major in music, am looking for a good orchestra/ensemble to join. Can anyone tell me about the Pomona Orchestra or the orchestra at neighboring schools (i.e. Claremont or Scripps)?</p>
<p>Although I am abroad now, I usually play the viola in the Pomona College Orchestra so I can try to answer your question. I was probably in a similar position as you when I came to Pomona. There are two orchestras in the Claremont Colleges, the Pomona one and the Claremont one which consists of people from the other four colleges. Pomona's is generally recognized as the better one - we even pull in people from the other schools who want a more serious orchestra. That being said, our orchestra is good, particularly for a small, liberal arts college, but it isn't going to be anything like an all-state symphony orchestra. I would probably compare it to my all-suburban orchestra back at home. There are a lot of talented people in it, but I think the problem is that many people don't have the time to practice as much as they should. It is still a serious orchestra, and we play some great pieces, and I like the conductor, but it really depends on what you're looking for. We always have two programs per semester and two performances per program, and we rehearse and perform in a very nice music hall (Little Bridges), which is better than one of the larger private universities I was deciding between. If you are unsatisfied with the orchestra, there is always the option to get involved in chamber groups with some really talented musicians, which you can get credit for as well.</p>
<p>If you don't mind me asking, what instrument do you play? I kind of assumed that you were a strings player, but if you aren't, that opens up a few more options in terms of ensemble groups that you can join.</p>
<p>o i play the flute. the pomona wind ensemble didn't seem as serious as i had hoped and i wonder what other options there are. how good are the chamber ensembles and wat does that program look like?</p>
<p>Here's something from a current Pomona student on our myspace group:</p>
<p>"...can you please tell him (I'm assuming it's a he) that getting in the orchestra via wind/band instrument is a lot more challenging to get in than if you were a string instrument. If he wants options, there's the newly formed Hip Hop Orchestra started by my friend Melissa this year, as well as a few jazz ensembles. We have a band as well, but I barely hear anything about them, considering that most of the musicians I know are in orchestra. </p>
<p>As for how "good" the music program is, I can't really say. I think it's a great program, and we do have a few talented musicians, but I know that there upper classmen who put on occasional shows for the hell of it by getting a quartet going. Since he wants to be a music major, I will give him props b/c I personally believe that the music major is pretty hardcore. The chamber ensembles also depend on the people in it as well--I think what happens is that you form your own ensemble.</p>
<p>I guess the reason why he didn't see the wind ensemble as "serious" is b/c most music majors tend to be in orchestra and choir, if not doing their own thing and performing several of their own recitals. Hope that helps, and thanks for giving my message!"</p>
<p>Hi, I'm a junior and even though I haven't visited pomona yet, I think it might be a really strong contender for me. I have been playing the double bass for about and have made it into GA All-State Orch. Are there any orchestras outside of the college that are near by? and also, does heavy involvement in an instrument help in the college admission process?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>You can form your own group, but I think you can ask your private lessons instructor, the chamber music coordinator, or the orchestra conductor to help you find other people who are looking to do the same and have similar musical abilities. The formal chamber music groups that I know of are quite good. My friends and I made an informal one (not getting credit and meeting once a week when we could) and that was pretty fun too.</p>
<p>Jenuinex26, I don't personally know anyone in it, but the Claremont Symphony Orchestra rehearses on Pomona's campus. There website is: <a href="http://www.claremontso.org/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.claremontso.org/index.html</a>
Having heavy involvement in an instrument never hurts when it comes to admissions. If you are good enough, you can even submit a tape with your application and that has the potential to boost your chances. Pomona's Orchestra hasn't had a bass player in it for a while, so that could help you if the orchestra conductor likes what he hears.</p>