<p>Can anyone tell me about the audition process for the Vassar Orchestra? And really, how good is the orchestra?</p>
<p>How timely! I just posted in the Music forum about the Vassar College orchestra concert last night.</p>
<p>The Vassar College orchestra is audition based. Our son auditioned the first week or so at school and got in.</p>
<p>The Vassar College orchestra concert last night was amazing - just like all of the previous concerts we attended this year. The strings are excellent and they rotate the winds and brass so everyone gets to play principal ( which show how deep the talent it there). When we visited last year and heard the orchestra , we knew that Vassar was right for our son. It is a great choice if you are looking for the liberal arts experience with strong music.</p>
<p>I attended a conservatory years ago and play in a local orchestra and I am thrilled at the level of music and musicality at Vassar.</p>
<p>Please visit and hear for yourself.</p>
<p>There is also a less competitive community band and opportunities to perform in small ensembles that are student organized.</p>
<p>I missed the concert this year but you can watch them online on the live or from the achive here:</p>
<p>[Webcast</a> - Music - Vassar College](<a href=“http://music.vassar.edu/concerts/webcast/index.html]Webcast”>http://music.vassar.edu/concerts/webcast/index.html)</p>
<p>There are also some on YouTube.</p>
<p>Private lessons are offered in each instrument and you can take those whether you are a major or not. There is an extra charge for the lessons. My D is a Junior who has taken lessons from the start but has never wanted to audition for the Orchestra. She plays for fun and did play in the Community Band a bit.</p>
<p>While the level of talent is high and auditions are required for the Orchestra it is certainly not impossible for a committed student to get in, though perhaps not as a Freshmen if you play an instrument that has a large number of very talented upperclassmen. Do not be intimidated though, Vassar is great but not Julliard on the music side.</p>
<p>This time of year all the Senior music majors are doing their Senior Recitals so there is even more music going on than usual.</p>
<p>The music building is also very beautiful with lots of practice rooms.</p>
<p>Sunday afternoon, we drove back to Vassar for the Vassar College & Community Wind Ensemble concert. (that is their official name on the program). This is the community band that ctparent2006 referred to above. It is about 70% Vassar students this semester. The performance was great - (not quite to the level of the orchestra but very strong all around). Even my father leaned over to me during one of the more contemporary pieces and said “I really enjoyed that piece.” He usually only likes the Sousa marches (just kidding!). Anyway, this concert , just like the orchestra concert was well attended by both students and locals (there is no admission charge). You could have ‘heard a pin drop’ during both concerts -lots of respect and support for the musicians.</p>