Klarinet Archive - Posting 000301.txt from 1995/03

From: Lisa Gartrell Yeo <ux403@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: thanx for your responses!!
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 21:11:06 -0500

Lis Baker,

I skipped my final year of high school (grade 12), and went straight to
a music programme at university. This was (gulp) nearly ten years ago,
and the rules may have changed since then. I am also a Canadian, so
the situation may be different for you (I assume you are in the US?)
At the time, I needed written permission from my parents, my
principal, and a minimum average of 80%.
The decision to leave high school early was definitely the right
decision for me, fr sevral reasons. First of all, I had been
studying with Stan Fisher privately, but he became too busy to
teach me unless I was enrolled at the university. So my
musical studies were hampered if I stayed in school (I lived
in a small town in Nova Scotia, so opportunities were limited!)
Secondly, I was fed up with high school and was ready to move on.
I had taken just about all the courses I had wanted and was left with
real dullards for my last year. Lastly, the transition from hig school
to university was an easy one because I could live at home, and I was
familiar with the campus already, having taken lessons there, and having
played in the university band.
The decision to leave high school early is one that requires careful
thought. You should think about where you want to study, and
inquire about early admission, etc. You should also have a big talk
with your parents. (It was my parents' idea, so they were very
supportive.) You may feel that you need that extra yer to be
prepared for university. But definitely consider the option;
it certaily worked for me.
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me privately.
Good luck!

Lisa Gartrell Yeo
Victoria, BC

(High school dropout, who hopes to be getting her DMA soon!!)