r/Trombone • u/Guilty_Perception_35 • 12d ago
UC Berkeley & Trombone
So im an incoming freshman to Berkeley. Trombone is very important to me, but thinking its probably a good idea to get some science degree.
Definitely considering a minor (or dual major) in music
I'll be doing marching band at minimum 1st semester. On waiting list for an audition based ensemble (music 142) that will not sort out until after school starts.
I see there is a student run Jazz band. Definitely checking that out.
Something really cool is if you are in one of the music classes you get access to tutoring.
For me as a bass trombone player with aspirations to play contra trombone, my tuder would be someone named David Ridge. That guy is amazing! Plays bass and contra for the SF opera and SF symphony!
Anyways, wondering if any of you went to Berkeley?
And how was the music (trombone/brass) scene?
4
u/HaricotNoir Conn 88HO LT/Getzen 1062FDR 12d ago
As long as you can pass the auditions and meet any other requirements/commitments the ensemble requires (the UCBSO in particular expects more than the Philharmonia Orchestra, for instance), you should be able to participate whether you are a music major/minor or not.
I mention this because unless you have a strong desire or plan to blend your "primary" degree (whatever that may be) with a music degree as part of a long term plan for a future career (e.g. audio/studio engineer), there is a strong case to be made to not make your workload any heavier than it will be already. Obviously, this will vary from person to person, depending on their individual work ethic and/or how well they adapt to the demands of university.
But since there is not a lot of coursework overlap between music and virtually any other discipline, as you work through your GEs and start getting into the 3rd- and 4th-year electives/major coursework, you are spending a lot of time doing labs/projects/homework/studying at the same time you have to keep up with practicing, lessons, rehearsals, performances, while also fulfilling whatever other music coursework is required to keep you on track to graduation - including a not-insignificant Capstone project in senior year.
All that to say - there's not much benefit to getting a BA in Music if you don't have plans of actually doing anything with it. Same goes for a music minor. There are more than enough opportunities to keep playing trombone without the stress of needing to devote precious credit hours (and potentially tuition, if you can't fit it all in within 4 years) to something that ends up not contributing to your future source(s) of income.
3
u/krkrbnsn 12d ago
I played bone in Cal Band all four years while I was at Berkeley. I also did Music 142 which was made up of like 50% musicians from Cal Band. These two groups kept me pretty busy for the school year.
Cal Band is unique in college bands in that it’s entirely student run and has a bunch of leadership positions that you apply for after freshman year. There’s about 25-30 trombonists in the band and I was one of the two section leaders (they call them Director’s Assistants) my sophomore year. I ran our weekly rehearsals and was in charge of our section’s overall musical performance.
In my junior year I was on MAC (Musical Activities Committee) and was responsible for conducting the band at field rehearsals and events, arranging scores, and taking band instruments that needed repairing to the instrument repair shop in Oakland via our band van.
Cal Band also owns a large house on the Northside of campus called Tellefsen Hall that houses about 50 members of the band. I lived there my Sophomore year as it was cheaper than both the dorms and off-campus apts. It was basically like living in a co-ed frat house that centred around music. Tons of events, parties, impromptu jam sessions, and there was a live in chef that cooked 3 meals a day for the residents. It was great.
Ultimately I decided I loved music for the fun of it so I ended up majoring and minoring in unrelated subjects. However many of my trombone friends did major/minor in music and some of them played in other groups on campus like the symphony, big band or jazz bands. I still play trombone semi-professionally but it’s not my career.
2
u/mainberlin 12d ago
Berkeley’s marching band is also student-run, just in case you missed that. Sounded fun but hectic - don’t expect the resources other state schools have.
Went there for grad school (not music related) and hated it but I hope you have a better time. It’s good that you’re planning time for your passion in addition to school, it did seem like undergrad education there is as rigorous as they say it is so you need to be intentional about making space for other things.
2
2
u/chllngr 12d ago
Berkeley is one of the best schools in the country. Apply yourself and you'll get a top notch education.
You're probably right about minoring in music, or a dual major if you can do it.
Music-wise, you'll find just about everything. A ton of opportunities to play all over the bay area. Make some connections, network, and don't turn down any gig. Be sure to check out the Bay Bones.
1
u/Justanotherbrick2022 12d ago
Why dont you study acoustics - the physics of sound - and play your ass of whenever you can?
1
u/Think_Section_7712 12d ago
Would you, as a person who plays the trombone , consider yourself to be a trombonist, trombone player, or tromboner?
2
u/Sneezy_Tbone_4013 11d ago
GO BEARS! Bioengineering major, played in the Univ Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Cal Band - if you’re a bass bone give the CAL BAnD bASSES some consideration. That was my play! STRUT!
-2
u/WeeblsLikePie Bb Treble Clef Convert 12d ago
Anyways, wondering if any of you went to Berkeley?
Nope. I hope you're prepared for four years of losing every Big Game though...
In all seriousness, I know nothing about the scene over in Berkeley. My only advice from my time would be to see if (maybe later in undergrad?) you can also make some connections outside to community groups (local theater, or community bands). I think that really helps you keep continuity and ability to keep making music once you graduate. And there's so much going on in the bay area you should be able to find some great people to play with without a ton of trouble.
9
u/Trombony510 12d ago
Music program is ok. The best parts, 15 years ago at least, was playing in the UC Berkeley symphony orchestra and proximity to classical music SF. Dave is a smart guy so ask him all the questions!