I will be going to college next year and I wanted to know if I had to join the college's music program to be in the orchestra. Also would I have to join if I wanted to take classes from the college's music program even i didn't want to major in music. sorry for so many questions but I really don't know anything about it and my band directors don't seem real knowledgeable about it either.

why dont u ask the music teacher or the school DDDDUH

Most music programs would not require you to be a music major to participate It really would depend on the school, though.

Also many schools will have more than one band/orchestra for students, one that will play harder stuff. Some of these require auditions for one of the bands/orchestras which would primarily be music majors in the "more advanced" one, and then they would have one for any student that wants to participate; no audition required Hope that made sense!

The problem is that your bad director may not be able ot know the answer to this question. From the school's standpoint, they would want to be fair to all students and the director of the orchestra "should" judge the musicians on their ability and not whether they are music majors but there is a catch. The school is also going to want to give the music majors a chance to play in ensembles and in upper seats for fear of loosing them. Orchestras generally have fewer flutes than in bands so the school isn't going to want to discourage their music majors that would want orchestral experience if they are bumped by non-mus. majors. That being said, even if you call the orch. dir. for this school, he may not tell you either way but only say something like, "Come and try out. We'd like to consider you." because if you are very good, he'd want to have you so that they can try to change your major. Esp. if you beat out all of their flute majors. Of course, this doesn't happen very often. Most of the time the flute majors are /should be practicing loads and the ones in the orch. are tops in the school with a few years of upper division Univ. level performance.
So, if the school is of any size and quality, they'd suggest for you the marching /concert band track. Most students are usually accepted into those groups.

A lot of colleges also require that the music majors play in an ensamble. So most seats will go to the majors first. If there are any other openings, anyone is welcome.

Could you possibly minor in music? That would help your cause.

Let me share my experience.

I was a mathematics major in college, but took advantage of the free flute lessons (included in the tuition, really) and particated in the wind ensemble. My junior year I made first chair (ahead of the two flute majors at the school).

The orchestra positions were reserved for flute majors to give them experience, but I did play one concert with the orchestra when they needed a third flute (again, there were only two flute majors).

The first time I was in college, we had a bunch of music majors. It was very competative. You had to audition for everything.

If they just happen to not have enough of one instrument then it was open to anyone at the school.

The college that I will be going to this summer does not have many music majors. I am playing with the wind ensamble right now and I am not a student.

It really depends on the school that you are going to attend and their policies.

You should check with the school to know what is really going on. I would talk to someone in the music department.

depending on what college youre considering on going to, if they have an orchestra and a music majors program and a solid flute program, chances are you WONT make it in as a non-music major. but you can sure try....

most of those you can audition regardless. at least thats the trend that ive seen. BUT you better be good because theyll laugh you out of the room otherwise.

Most schools with a reputable music program will have something to the effect of a "Campus-Community" band. A group open to anyone who wishes to join from the school or the community surrounding. I know I played in one as a high school student at a University near where I lived, and the school that I am at now (Crane School of Music) has one.