<p>While it's early in the game, my Jr D really likes Chicago after a tour in connection with the recent Model UN conference hosted by the Univ.</p>
<p>We'd appreciate any insights on participation in the Symphony Orchestra. D will not be a music major but would like to continue performance (flute). Is the orchestra as "inclusive" as the Music Dept describes, or is it tough for non-music major undergrads to get a chair? Any thoughts about your experience in the orchestra, or other ensembles, would be helpful as well!</p>
<p>If interested in performance opportunities, would you recommend submitting a recording with the application?</p>
<p>Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but my strong impression is that you couldn't come anywhere near stocking a 100-piece orchestra with the University of Chicago's music majors (much less that and all the other performing organizations it has). I'm not positive you could stock a string quartet with the Univerity of Chicago's music majors, but I won't go that far . . . Anyway, Chicago is not a college that attracts a lot of people with professional aspirations in music. There are lots of other colleges with much stronger programs in that area, including both De Paul and Northwestern locally. One of the advantages of Chicago for academically minded students who are good amateur musicians is that the music performance institutions are oriented that way.</p>
<p>This is credited. Its not like JHU, CMU or Harvard where you have a connected conservatory. A lot of the people are just random majors and do it on the side. As far as music goes generally, Chicago is a very famous school for musicology, but not performance.</p>
<p>Hi I'm in the USO and can tell you anything you want to know about it! </p>
<p>There are very few music majors in the Symphony, partly because they department is small, but primarily because many music majors' primary instrument is piano or voice -- you'll find more music majors in the choirs, I'd think but I'm not totally sure. I am a music major though and I'm in USO, so we are there! </p>
<p>It is not hard for undergrads (or first years even) to get into USO. I'm a first year, and there are a fair number of other first years in USO, too. </p>
<p>As far as lessons go, the Music Dept will help students find teachers if they need the help. The Music Dept also helps fund lessons through the Performance Stipend Program -- You need to audition to get the funding, but nearly everyone who auditions gets something. It's a reimbursement program, so the school sends you a check for a certain amount of money at the end of each quarter to reimburse you for some of your lessons from that quarter. Very handy! </p>
<p>The Music Dept has a nice chamber music program, too. They will place you in a chamber group if you request it, and there are periodic concerts and masterclasses throughout the year. </p>
<p>Also, to answer your last question, if you want to be involved in performance, it is not necessary to submit a recording with your application. However, if you're really a serious musician and your playing is a really important part of your life, then, yes, send a recording!</p>
<p>People have answered the questions pretty well. I agree that it's not particularly difficult for non-music majors to get seats in the orchestra, and if your daughter wants to be involved in the performance program, she probably can be. </p>
<p>My general advice is to submit a recording if your (or your daughter's) level of playing is excellent compared to your peer group, which I read as other K (or 1st or 2nd grade) - 12 musicians applying to college. The only thing is that your competition is actually smaller than that since 1) some students apply to music conservatories only, and 2) many students don't care enough about music to think about it. I was a very serious musician in school, and I submitted a recording with my applications. I played a relatively rare instrument, and, frankly, I played very well. I received very positive feedback on my recording from some colleges, and I do think it helped me. I do not think that "average" recordings ("average" as in K-12 musicians who are smart and practice regularly) are given much weight, but I do think recordings that show particular talent or musicianship are given serious consideration and may impact the final decision.</p>
<p>JHS + uchicagoalum - this sounds like the kind of program D would like - she doesn't have professional aspirations, does not want a conservatory experience, but wants to continue playing for the love of it.</p>
<p>glasses - that's good to hear!</p>
<p>corranged - helpful insights on submitting a recording - "relatively rare instrument" - D often kids that we should have encouraged bassoon v flute.</p>
<p>Cosmos - very informative - if it's ok, we will try to get in touch with you for more detail - thanks so much!!</p>
<p>I will add a few other observations, based on my D for the past four years:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>The U symphony is composed of players from the broad university community, mostly undergrads and grad students from all disciplines.</p></li>
<li><p>the conductor, Barbara Shubert, is not every player's cup of tea. Personally, I find her waaaay too flamboyant as she flails about the rostrum.</p></li>
<li><p>the music lesson stipend program is a good deal. My D did it her first two years, and got lessons from a member of the CSO. </p></li>
<li><p>The chamber program is rather student directed but offers lots of opportunities for those that want to work at it. The program also offers some decent coaching from the Pacifica Quartet members and some master classes.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Regarding recordings with the application, as others have said, unless the kid is stellar (state or nationally recognized), you might save the postage. Things like that just don't matter much at Chicago, I suspect.</p>