Klarinet Archive - Posting 000031.txt from 1995/10

From: Lindsey Glen <lindsey.glen%queens.oxford.ac.uk@-----.BITNET>
Subj: Re: Conservatories vs. Universities
Date: Tue, 3 Oct 1995 05:06:08 -0400

Hi everyone,

I've been away for the summer and only got messages till the end of June
but as a future performer who's at university (Oxford) I'd thought I'd
add my advice even though this thread was probably wrapped up months ago.

I'm doing a really academic course with practically no performance
(although I'm having lessons organised by myself) but plan to do a year's
postgrad at music college when I leave and this is why:
1) The course is really interesting and as the government are paying my
fees (which they may well not for music college)
2) There are loads of performing opportunties - orchestra's (very good),
conducting, chamber music, recitals... I know proffessionals who didn't
play in a single orchestra at college!
3) The competitiveness of music college and the fact that everyone's doing
the same course mean that it's not anywhere near as a good a training for
life as university is (and many college students live at home).
4) Uni's great fun!
5) The grounding you get in analysis, performance practise (*often with
use of old/ethnic instruments), history etc. is mind-broadening and (in
my opinion) invaluable.
6) 3 more years to practise.
7) You might change your mind and the it's an excellent degree for many
careers.

By all means go to college sometime later or have lessons with a good
teacher at
a college but you'll only have the opportunities of university once.

Good to be back on line!

Lindsey