How much is bassoon a hook in college admissions?
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Anonymous
Kinda interesting...I like that.  But can't you play the piccolo if you play the flute? Idk anything about instruments but they seem awfully similar except for size.
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Anonymous
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If she's all state, look at schools with philharmonic orchestras. These are sometimes town-gown groups that play at a high level. My kid's school offers $4K just if you made it into State Band. (And you don't have to be a music major.)
In terms of bassoon, it really depends on how much they need a bassoon. My kid plays a less common instrument that also happens to be expensive; a few of his schools were quite interested in him for that reason. While no one threw money at him with his acceptances, he did get emails from a couple of the music directors encouraging him to attend, and there would have been possibility for future schlolarship money. |
Anonymous
^ To clarify, no one threw specifically music scholarship money at him upon acceptance. He did get nice merit money. One of my son's choices had auditions for music scholarships for incoming freshmen in December of his senior year. He didn't end up going because it happened to be the same day as one of his concerts at home, and he wasn't all that interested in the school anyway. Again, just another thing to ask about during college tours and whatever. |
Anonymous
| Thank you for the valuable info. If you could suggest some schools, that would be great. She is undecided on major but leaning toward something where she could use her unusual talent for foreign languages and her love of history and travel. She def want to play in College ensembles. She is ranked #2 in her class right now. Also captain of Varsity tennis (she got on team in 7th), first singles. Thanks again. No soothers schools, she is very liberal….she went to marches etc |
Anonymous
| My guess is a good bassoonist would be quite a hook under the right circumstances. Back in the 80s i was "recruited" for flute. The AD from Haverford College actually called our house out of the blue. The AD invited me to come after school for a tour and to interview. I told the guy sorry, but my parents worked and next thing I know my guidance counselor called me down to tell me that the AD was going to come pick me and another girl up after school himself. He showed up in a station wagon and off we went. Anyway - crazy but true story - so if they did this for a dime a dozen flutist seems a good bassoonist could capture even greater attention should the need exist. |
Anonymous
| I'd say not as much as french horn |
Anonymous
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I know a junior level student, a transfer from a CC, who got a fair amount of tuition to play at a state school, and he hasn't really played in years. He is probably an average player. They also provided a third rate bassoon as he did not own one. He is looking to purchase his own eventually.
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Anonymous
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Did she do summer programs? Any connex?
Honestly, it's all about finding a match. Bassoon will be a hook *somewhere* (or several somewheres). Her teachers should be able to narrow the list of suspects. |
Anonymous
Yes. DC's band actually has a kid who plays both-- sometimes during the same piece of music. Puts the one she is not using on her lap and swaps them out. It impresses the heck out of me-- but I am not a musician, so maybe it's easier than it looks. I'd end up playing the wrong instrument. At any rate, this is my list, and for the one person who missed it, it's a joke. Mostly because we have new freshmen entering my kid's top HS, with parents who are obsessing about whether debate or MUN gives Larla a better Ivy shot (let the kid choose, and be prepared for the fact they may choose neither). And this trend of trying to create a kid who will appeal to admissions officers, rather than taking the kid you have and helping them figure out where they belong.is getting old. |
Anonymous
 Snotty much? Waiting for forcing your poor daughter to play cello nonstop to payoff much ? Think she'll still talk to you in 5 years??
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Anonymous
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She'll play the flute pretty well in college wherever she goes.
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Anonymous
1) How do you know which schools use their orchestras for admissions pull? 2) How would you know which haven't used their admissions pull for bassoon the last 2 or more yrs? My son's only EC is cello. He's not at the level of the OP's kid, but I was hoping it would help a little because he does do several cello-related activities out of school. Not a "hook" because he's not stellar, but he does want to continue playing in college. |
Anonymous
I also have a kid whose only EC is his instrument (he's section leader in the top orchestra, does jazz ensemble, pit orchestra, tutors a younger student). He's not likely to be one of the 8 students who make all-state (at least not this year) and he hasn't done expensive well-known summer programs or youth orchestra programs, so I realize he's not destined to be a music major or double major. Still, it's important to him that he keep playing in college and it definitely adds an extra wrinkle to the college search process. He may pursue a minor. It is difficult trying to sort out which schools have good opportunities for non-majors, which have scholarships, which have private lessons available, etc. It seems that schools that only offer a B.A. in music might be the best bet for getting some pull for a capable non-music major, but those schools also might have pretty small programs and limited faculty (some don't have a single faculty member for DC's instrument), and my kid isn't all that interested in LACs. |
Anonymous
OP, and I speak from experience, gather the schools your DC is interested in and go straight to the music department and confer with the symphony/chamber/band conductor and inquire what are their instrument needs. My DC's instrument was under represented at a few of the colleges DC was interested in. A few well placed words to the admissions office from the music department didn't hurt, and my DC had strong academics. Also, when the admissions representatives visited DC's school, DC made it a point to talk about the instrument. There are no guarantees but it won't help to reach out to schools your DC is interested in. |
Anonymous
PP again. DC has played in several high proficiency venues. |