[Oxymoroner]

Probably a question for LG, the muso maestro:

Which colleges have their own orchestras? I know they're lying around, but can't find a place that gives all of them? Being orchestral, I certainly have a preference to going for ones that have orchestras!

Also, where would the orchestra meet? In the college chapel? Or are there other places within colleges that are spacious enough to fit your full orchestra?!

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by Oxymoroner)
Probably a question for LG, the muso maestro:

Which colleges have their own orchestras? I know they're lying around, but can't find a place that gives all of them? Being orchestral, I certainly have a preference to going for ones that have orchestras!

Also, where would the orchestra meet? In the college chapel? Or are there other places within colleges that are spacious enough to fit your full orchestra?!

I think all colleges have their own orchestra, or some colleges team up with other colleges (e.g. St Anne's and St John's used to do that). So whatever college you'd end up at, you'd be able to be part of an orchestra relating to your college

Some would meet in the chapel, if it's big enough. At Woosta, we meet in a room called the Memorial Room, which is a big-ish room with a grand piano in

[Nooshkabob]

Hi, I'm applying for music at oxford for 2013 entry, and at the moment the colleges i'm thinking are Christ Church, Magdalen, and St Johns.
As flute is my second instrument (although I've done my grade 8) would i have any chance of getting into a university orchestra? I have 4 years experience in my county youth orchestra but there are probably lots of other flautists who are better than me!
Also, any tips for preparing for interview and personal statements?
I'm guessing that studying music takes up a lot of time because as well as all the work and essays and everything, you have to fit in practise on your instrument(s) and i'm guessing most people are in some kind of musical ensemble. Is there a chance i'd have time to fit in learning a language or joining UOTC?
Thanks!

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by Nooshkabob)
Hi, I'm applying for music at oxford for 2013 entry, and at the moment the colleges i'm thinking are Christ Church, Magdalen, and St Johns.
As flute is my second instrument (although I've done my grade 8) would i have any chance of getting into a university orchestra? I have 4 years experience in my county youth orchestra but there are probably lots of other flautists who are better than me!
Also, any tips for preparing for interview and personal statements?
I'm guessing that studying music takes up a lot of time because as well as all the work and essays and everything, you have to fit in practise on your instrument(s) and i'm guessing most people are in some kind of musical ensemble. Is there a chance i'd have time to fit in learning a language or joining UOTC?
Thanks!

A university-level orchestra will be quite competitive when it comes to flautists but you'll certainly be able to join in at college level

I've written a Wiki article about writing a Music personal statement. You should be able to find it: it's somewhere out there

Preparing for interview: be yourself. Re-read your PS, written work and any books you mentioned in your PS before your interview. If you have the time, have a look at Nicholas Cook's Music. A Very Short Introduction

I'm not sure what UOTC is. If it's the army thing I just Googled, I'm guessing not. If you're very organised and don't join too many ensembles, learning a language in second year might be possible

[Nooshkabob]

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
If you have the time, have a look at Nicholas Cook's Music. A Very Short Introduction

I've just bought this, and have started to read it, it's very interesting!

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
I'm not sure what UOTC is. If it's the army thing I just Googled, I'm guessing not. If you're very organised and don't join too many ensembles, learning a language in second year might be possible

Yeah it's a military thing, thought I'd give it a go, but perhaps not if I don't want to take on too much... I tend to try everything going but I'll try stay organised!
thanks!

[Nooshkabob]

Also, which colleges provide upright pianos in accommodation? i know christ church does, wondered about the others?

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by Nooshkabob)
Also, which colleges provide upright pianos in accommodation? i know christ church does, wondered about the others?

Most colleges provide a keyboard. Not sure about a piano. I had friends at Univ who had pianos in their room but they weren't very good apparently

[Nooshkabob]

ah ok thanks I'm just a bit snobby about proper piano vs clavinova!

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

Rest assured, all colleges will have a proper piano SOMEWHERE that you can play. Just not necessarily in your room

[Hess]

Hi guys, I thought it would be nice have a separate thread for those of us applying to read music at Oxford to discuss interviews, written work, reading etc. I've applied to Worcester by the way

[auganism]

I'm trying to sort out written work at the moment. I'm applying to Magdalen by the way, and in their email they ask for 3 copies of each piece of work... I'm thinking I'll submit some compositions, so that's may cost a lot in postage if I have to send 3 copies of each score...

Who else is submitting composition portfolios and how many compositions?

Also, I looked through my AS music work and I have about 2 marked Bach chorale harmonised cadences... They don't look like particularly impressive ones either... Is it really alright to send a composition portfolio instead of examples of harmony & counterpoint?

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by Hess)
Hi guys, I thought it would be nice have a separate thread for those of us applying to read music at Oxford to discuss interviews, written work, reading etc. I've applied to Worcester by the way

Welcome to my thread. It was a bit dead coz us musos are a rare bunch

(Original post by auganism)
I'm trying to sort out written work at the moment. I'm applying to Magdalen by the way, and in their email they ask for 3 copies of each piece of work... I'm thinking I'll submit some compositions, so that's may cost a lot in postage if I have to send 3 copies of each score...

Who else is submitting composition portfolios and how many compositions?

Also, I looked through my AS music work and I have about 2 marked Bach chorale harmonised cadences... They don't look like particularly impressive ones either... Is it really alright to send a composition portfolio instead of examples of harmony & counterpoint?

I think you should send the 2 Bach chorale exercises, or do totally new examples and get them quickly marked. It is quite important to submit either harmony or counterpoint (or both) if at all possible

[fiddlecat]

I'm so happy that i've found some other Oxford music applicants! This thread is an awesome idea What instruments do you guys play? I've applied to Merton College.

I'm having some trouble choosing what written work to submit. Is it better to submit an essay about a specific A level set work, or one about a broader music topic / issue? Also, would grade 8 theory trio sonata questions be sufficient to submit for the harmony and counterpoint? Or would I have to submit something longer?

[auganism]

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
Welcome to my thread. It was a bit dead coz us musos are a rare bunch




I think you should send the 2 Bach chorale exercises, or do totally new examples and get them quickly marked. It is quite important to submit either harmony or counterpoint (or both) if at all possible

Thanks very much! I may do a couple of new examples then, would you say a few chorale cadences (with around 2 chords before the cadence, and then the 3 cadence chords) are sufficient? Or am I expected to submit an entire chorale...?

(Original post by fiddlecat)
I'm so happy that i've found some other Oxford music applicants! This thread is an awesome idea What instruments do you guys play? I've applied to Merton College.

I'm having some trouble choosing what written work to submit. Is it better to submit an essay about a specific A level set work, or one about a broader music topic / issue? Also, would grade 8 theory trio sonata questions be sufficient to submit for the harmony and counterpoint? Or would I have to submit something longer?

I play classical guitar, what about you?
I had some trouble choosing too, in the end I've settled with an essay I did on one of my favourite works, and a history essay...

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by fiddlecat)
I'm so happy that i've found some other Oxford music applicants! This thread is an awesome idea What instruments do you guys play? I've applied to Merton College.

I'm having some trouble choosing what written work to submit. Is it better to submit an essay about a specific A level set work, or one about a broader music topic / issue? Also, would grade 8 theory trio sonata questions be sufficient to submit for the harmony and counterpoint? Or would I have to submit something longer?

There's a simple rule when it comes to deciding about written work: select a piece of work that you would be absolutely comfortable discussing/defending in depth at an interview

Grade 8 trio sonata questions sound good

(Original post by auganism)
Thanks very much! I may do a couple of new examples then, would you say a few chorale cadences (with around 2 chords before the cadence, and then the 3 cadence chords) are sufficient? Or am I expected to submit an entire chorale...?

If you can submit a whole chorale, that would be good, but don't worry too much if that's impossible. If you're submitting only a few chords, make sure they're good and have some higher-level stuff in there

[Hess]

[QUOTE=The_Lonely_Goatherd;400269 21]Welcome to my thread. It was a bit dead coz us musos are a rare bunch


Haha, that's fine, as long as there is a thread for the music applicants! I have finally finished doing my written work after weeks and weeks of preparation. I did an analytical essay on a late Beethoven piano sonata (which I know very well) and two Bach chorales from A2 past papers (Edexcel). The chorales weren't easy , but it's all done now. I'm also going to submit a philosophy essay I did last year

[auganism]

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)

If you can submit a whole chorale, that would be good, but don't worry too much if that's impossible. If you're submitting only a few chords, make sure they're good and have some higher-level stuff in there

Ok, cheers. Probably wont be able to get any that I do marked in time as it's half term now .

Is noone else here submitting compositions then...?

[Hess]

On the faculty website, why does it say: "If you are selected for interview you will be invited to send in written work" ? Surely the decision to invite an applicant for interview would be made after the submission of written work?

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by Hess)
On the faculty website, why does it say: "If you are selected for interview you will be invited to send in written work" ? Surely the decision to invite an applicant for interview would be made after the submission of written work?

Tbh 90% of Music applicants get interviewed, so it probs doesn't matter either way

Sounds like you guys are making good progress: well done

[auganism]

Anyone know whether you need a cover sheet for each example of harmony and counterpoint and each composition, as well as each of the 2 examples of written work? Or is it just the written work which needs it...?