<p>This is a question i've been thinking about for a long time. I'm a sophomore in high school and i love playing the flute - i work hard and i know im skilled at it. When i go to college, I still want to play concert music but i'm not interested in majoring. I want to major in biology or in the biological sciences, and i know that will comprise almost all of my courses as a college freshman. Is it possible to keep playing an instrument just for playing it?</p>
<p>Yes, many smaller, liberal arts school have ensembles almost totally composed of non-music majors. And now the good part, many of these schools will provide scholarships if you will play in their ensembles!</p>
<p>Of course, there's "bad news." If you're playing in very high-level HS ensembles, you may be in for a major downer at some colleges. Our HS is very well respected on both the State and National levels. I just heard a horror story from a flute player who decided to major in chemistry at a small liberal arts college and play in their orchestra. She found the level of play extremely disappointing and was horrified one day when the conductor said to her, "I know that you're playing in tune, but would you please play flat like the rest of the ensemble?"</p>
<p>Regardless, you should make sure that you meet with conductors and possibly hear ensembles at the schools you intend to apply to. Some Bach may be a welcome respite from Biochem...</p>
<p>I would echo what IZ just said. Very talented kids from our (also well respected) honors bands and orchestra, who do not attend music schools, have also reported disappointment with college ensembles, even at excellent LCs like Amherst, or even Syracuse and Brandeis. </p>
<p>It's very hard for some of these kids, who are used to high level play, to go into a regular college ensemble, or so I have heard.</p>
<p>Some universities with quality music schools have open audition for orchestra, band, and all ensembles. So you would be able to play with high quality talent and music majors even though you were majoring in something else. But be careful they will be improving at a much more rapid pace than you will have time to. They also will be taking lessons with a top professor and those lessons will not be available to you.</p>
<p>Not sure of your level of play, but the quality level of flute players is so high and deep that often a mediocre flute player needs to play with top level players at other instruments. This really comes into play at the smaller schools that still have active orchestras, etc.</p>
<p>Just because you are not planning on being a music major, it does not prevent you from scheduling a lesson with the flute professor at the school(s) you are considering and getting feedback on what options are open to a player of your level at their school.</p>
<p>IZ is correct. If you are currently playing in a very high perfoming HS or youth ensemble it may be the best one you ever play in. But, oh well, life goes on. You can still have fun playing with your fellow students!</p>
<p>When you are visiting colleges be sure to swing by the music department to get a feel for the place. Ask or email somebody high up in the music dept what your chances are of getting into an ensemble or the orchestra. Ask them specifically - generally how many non-majors audition and how many get seats? (Note: The better the music department the more trouble for a non-major.)</p>
<p>Also investigate music scholarships in LACs. My son goes to Dension (loves it) and plays in both the orchestra and jazz band and got a nice supplementary scholarship for that and free lessons. I recall some other schools having similar scholarship offerings.</p>