WASP/adjacent top LACs for Orchestra

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be brutally honest, the size of the school is a potential issue for the orchestra -- absent a conservatory, a la Oberlin, it may be hard for a liberal arts college to have enough musicians to field a full orchestra. I went to a LAC many years ago and played in the orchestra. There were some fine musicians there, and the string section was robust, but I don't think we ever had a full complement of wind instruments (e.g., oboe, bassoon, four french horns, three trombones, tuba .... we had plenty of clarinets, flutes, and trumpets) for the college ensembles. There was a community orchestra that students also played in, which was larger and generally had a full wind section. That may not be a deterrent depending on your kid's musical skills and interest level, but might be something to consider.

What do you think of the Claremont Colleges, with over 7000 students?

[Anonymous]

My DD is at Swarthmore and playing in the orchestra. TBH, we listened to recordings of all the college orchestras and selected Swat in part because the orchestra was really good. She loves the conductor and he picks a good selection of music. The spring concert was truly fantastic. They do allow faculty to play and sometimes have to hire outside for brass, but it's a small college. The bassoonist was amazing.

It's definitely a draw if your child plays a desirable instrument like oboe, bassoon, French horn or is just freakishly talented. Our kid is a regular strings player and a math major. She is very happy there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is at Swarthmore and playing in the orchestra. TBH, we listened to recordings of all the college orchestras and selected Swat in part because the orchestra was really good. She loves the conductor and he picks a good selection of music. The spring concert was truly fantastic. They do allow faculty to play and sometimes have to hire outside for brass, but it's a small college. The bassoonist was amazing.

It's definitely a draw if your child plays a desirable instrument like oboe, bassoon, French horn or is just freakishly talented. Our kid is a regular strings player and a math major. She is very happy there.

What are other good college orchestras you heard? DD loves music but cannot stand Swat's culture.

[Anonymous]

DS was a chem and ed major and played violin in the community orchestra at Vandy. Great experience for him And hes still playing in a community orchestra while at his first job. Class of 2024

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS has top stats from a private with a good record for WASP admission if students ED. We were wondering if anyone had any information on the orchestra communities, rigor and size at these schools as DS would like to continue being in orchestra throughout college. Prospective math and chemistry major, so the music major doesn't need to be stellar, just the program.

Swarthmore Orchestra is great. Andrew Hauze who leads it is beloved by students. You can research both online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How helpful is music for admission to WASP/ top LACs for student in top level of top large city youth orchestra, but no national awards, not quite conservatory level? Plays a less common orchestra instrument. Do AOs at these schools care about filling out orchestra sections? Are there differences in how much different top LACs care about music for admission?

LACs pride themselves on interdisciplinary exploration and interests. Music can be very positive for admission prospects if your interest in music is weaved into your narrative through the essay or supps. Also start collating the videos of performances, some will allow you to submit these along with the application.

[Anonymous]

The students in the Amherst Symphony Orchestra really don't like their conductor.

[Anonymous]

Harvard Yale and Princeton all have very good orchestras.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The students in the Amherst Symphony Orchestra really don't like their conductor.

Please say more. That was not our impression when my visiting DC sat in.

[Anonymous]

PP with Swat DD here. The Swat orchestra was the top, and I can’t remember the others well enough to comment. She applied to

F&M
Amherst
Wesleyan
Muhlenberg
Dickinson
Hamilton
Williams
Bates
Kenyon

Most post their orchestra concerts. Just spend 30 minutes listening. The students change over time but the overall performance quality generally persists.

[Anonymous]

Bard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students in the Amherst Symphony Orchestra really don't like their conductor.

Please say more. That was not our impression when my visiting DC sat in.

You generally shouldn't get any impression from a one day sit in on a rehearsal?

[Anonymous]

As suggestions, take a look at Wesleyan and Hamilton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students in the Amherst Symphony Orchestra really don't like their conductor.

Please say more. That was not our impression when my visiting DC sat in.

You generally shouldn't get any impression from a one day sit in on a rehearsal?

Yet you won’t elaborate? Okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students in the Amherst Symphony Orchestra really don't like their conductor.

Please say more. That was not our impression when my visiting DC sat in.

You generally shouldn't get any impression from a one day sit in on a rehearsal?

Yet you won’t elaborate? Okay.

I'm confused by your passive aggressive response, and what you expect to be elaborated on. In your day to day job, do you openly show who you dislike in your workplace? No, because you still have to work with those people and you put your big girl pants on and carry on. Orchestra is much the same. You have to keep face during rehearsal, because there is nothing productive about pi$$ing off your conductor.