Musical Applicant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any experience with an applicant who is a talented musician, but doesn’t wish to pursue conservatory? We aren’t sure if there are particular programs or schools where she might be positioned to either double major or play with a school orchestra. This is a kid with who is competitive at a national level on a historically male dominated instrument.

Look up the Musical Studies Program at Oberlin College and Conservatory. It's part of the college but taps into the resources of the conservatory. Oberlin started the program a few years ago because many of its students in the college had significant music backgrounds, but did not want to be a conservatory student (which is a fairly intense commitment). My daughter sounds a lot like yours and she investigated a lot of prograns and started at Oberlin and began this major last year (likely will double major with chem). She loves it.

I’m a different poster but this sounds like an interesting program that could be a good fit for my daughter (strong vocal skills, in an band, and substantial musical theater experience but also enjoys liberal arts, especially reading, writing, and languages). Was an audition or arts supplement required? Isn’t Oberlin College still relatively competitive for admission?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any experience with an applicant who is a talented musician, but doesn’t wish to pursue conservatory? We aren’t sure if there are particular programs or schools where she might be positioned to either double major or play with a school orchestra. This is a kid with who is competitive at a national level on a historically male dominated instrument.

Look up the Musical Studies Program at Oberlin College and Conservatory. It's part of the college but taps into the resources of the conservatory. Oberlin started the program a few years ago because many of its students in the college had significant music backgrounds, but did not want to be a conservatory student (which is a fairly intense commitment). My daughter sounds a lot like yours and she investigated a lot of prograns and started at Oberlin and began this major last year (likely will double major with chem). She loves it.

I’m a different poster but this sounds like an interesting program that could be a good fit for my daughter (strong vocal skills, in an band, and substantial musical theater experience but also enjoys liberal arts, especially reading, writing, and languages). Was an audition or arts supplement required? Isn’t Oberlin College still relatively competitive for admission?

She didn't have to audition, but you need a strong music background to get into most of the core courses. But it's open to anyone admitted to the college. Admissions is pretty tough. My DD did early decision, which might have been helpful. We've been very happy. Beautiful campus, with serious but very kind students. And she got to know literally all of her professors.

[Anonymous]

Look up "Music Major" on College Confidential. Lots of super helpful and very detailed information in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What instrument is male dominated? Tuba?

OP here. All the brass instruments as well as percussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look up "Music Major" on College Confidential. Lots of super helpful and very detailed information in there.

Thank you! As she’s not thinking of being a music major, I never would have thought to look there, but it’s got amazing info for exactly our situation!

[Anonymous]

Just curious what kind of national recognition your kid is getting. Competitive summer programs? Concerto competitions? Asking because my middle schooler is a very dedicated musician and up for additional challenges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look up "Music Major" on College Confidential. Lots of super helpful and very detailed information in there.

Thank you! As she’s not thinking of being a music major, I never would have thought to look there, but it’s got amazing info for exactly our situation!

Not OP but following. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any experience with an applicant who is a talented musician, but doesn’t wish to pursue conservatory? We aren’t sure if there are particular programs or schools where she might be positioned to either double major or play with a school orchestra. This is a kid with who is competitive at a national level on a historically male dominated instrument.

Look up the Musical Studies Program at Oberlin College and Conservatory. It's part of the college but taps into the resources of the conservatory. Oberlin started the program a few years ago because many of its students in the college had significant music backgrounds, but did not want to be a conservatory student (which is a fairly intense commitment). My daughter sounds a lot like yours and she investigated a lot of prograns and started at Oberlin and began this major last year (likely will double major with chem). She loves it.

This I was going to recommend Oberlin as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just curious what kind of national recognition your kid is getting. Competitive summer programs? Concerto competitions? Asking because my middle schooler is a very dedicated musician and up for additional challenges.

NP and I am not from the area, but I recommend checking out regional orchestras. From what I gather from this board, the DC area has several.

DD is a rising 8th grader very devoted to singing and her school choir is abysmal, filled with problem kids satisfying a requirement, and many other issues. She is auditioning for a regional choir, affiliated with a regional orchestra, and she is hoping to get in to get experience at a higher level and meet more like-minded kids.

GL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just curious what kind of national recognition your kid is getting. Competitive summer programs? Concerto competitions? Asking because my middle schooler is a very dedicated musician and up for additional challenges.

When I think of national recognition I think of NYO or NYO2. The top orchestras at interlochen and tanglewood are also difficult to get into as a brass or percussion musician.

The HYP orchestras and Stanford recruit from the Juilliard pre college program. Perhaps they recruit from the other top pre college programs too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious what kind of national recognition your kid is getting. Competitive summer programs? Concerto competitions? Asking because my middle schooler is a very dedicated musician and up for additional challenges.

When I think of national recognition I think of NYO or NYO2. The top orchestras at interlochen and tanglewood are also difficult to get into as a brass or percussion musician.

The HYP orchestras and Stanford recruit from the Juilliard pre college program. Perhaps they recruit from the other top pre college programs too.

OP here. I don’t want to be too cagey, but yes to two or three (depending on whether you count acceptance versus attendance) of the things you listed.

The summer festival opportunities just explode once you hit high school. Feel free to start a thread over on camps if you have questions.

She also does regional orchestra, all state, etc, but we are no longer local to DC, so that’s likely less relevant to you.

[Anonymous]

Williams College recruits top musicians for its symphony and has a strong, but small, music major. It’s a great place for academic kids who want a SLAC but also love high-level music as a hobby.

Princeton’s music offerings are also superb. Obviously most of the kids don’t go into music but they have world-class musicians in all their musical groups.

[Anonymous]

Interesting thread. My DD also nationally known in more rare instrument that is not an orchestra or band instrument. Could do ensemble or chamber in HS though it is more traditionally a solo instrument, so not sure if that is an admissions bump or not. Easily 12 hours a week on top of top academics and top club sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious what kind of national recognition your kid is getting. Competitive summer programs? Concerto competitions? Asking because my middle schooler is a very dedicated musician and up for additional challenges.

When I think of national recognition I think of NYO or NYO2. The top orchestras at interlochen and tanglewood are also difficult to get into as a brass or percussion musician.

The HYP orchestras and Stanford recruit from the Juilliard pre college program. Perhaps they recruit from the other top pre college programs too.

OP here. I don’t want to be too cagey, but yes to two or three (depending on whether you count acceptance versus attendance) of the things you listed.

The summer festival opportunities just explode once you hit high school. Feel free to start a thread over on camps if you have questions.

She also does regional orchestra, all state, etc, but we are no longer local to DC, so that’s likely less relevant to you.

Try for NYO, NYO2 ,and YoungArts

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP who asked about top programs. My kid was at Interlochen and was disappointed by caliber of brass players and teachers there admitted he wasn't being challenged. Other recs here are very helpful and we will definitely check them out (thanks!!!). But in case anyone is thinking about Interlochen, unfortunately I think it went downhill recently especially for intermediates.