 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: claclaws
Date: 2004-06-11 16:01
Though quasi-impossible to dream about virtuosity after that age, don't some late-comers in the clarinet world make into conservatories or music universities?
Any related story or experience could be interesting... such as:
-Their rate of success? at the audition, during the coursework and after...?
-The next step: will that be another diploma collection, or have other meaning? Do they abandon the previous job to become music professional? (doesn't sound realistic to me..)
Lucy Lee Jang
Post Edited (2004-06-11 16:02)
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Author: kdennyclarinet
Date: 2004-06-11 16:41
I started learning the clarinet late myself... but not that late. I was in choir all through middle school and high school and did not really find my "voice" until I began learning the clarinet during the end of my 10th grade year. I went on to major in music ed in my undergrad and performance in my masters... on my way to DMA auditions this fall. Nothing can stop you if you really want it badly enough.
One book that I read that was inspiring to me was "Never Too Late" by John Holt. It's a sort of autobiography on his trials and struggles with learning an instrument and how he finally settled on the cello and experienced great success. You may have heard his name before as associated with his books about how children learn. Being a teacher, that is how I came across this book. The back of the book has a quote from Yo Yo Ma:
"Very often when I travel adults come to me and longingly say they want to play a musical instrument but are now too old. I always, and with great delight, refer them to John Holt's book 'Never Too Late'. The beauty of Holt's book is that he himself set his own standards for music making. The reason for playing music is not to compare yourself to anyone but to bring forth what is inside of you."
I highly recommend this book! It is a Merloyd Lawrence Book published by Addison-Wesley Publishing Co, Inc.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0201567636/qid=1086971939/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/002-9727566-0708053?v=glance&s=books
This is long... it's available at Amazon.com.
All the best!
K. Denny
BME, MM, DMA
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-06-11 17:18
The clarinet instructor at my college wanted to enter a certain conservatory that Anthony Gigliotti taught at (the name escapes me). He was (I believe) in his early twenties when he applied. He had taken a few lessons with Mr. Gigliotti. He was denied. Mr. Gigliotti asked him why he wanted to get in anyway, and his answer was, "Well, so I could study with you."
Mr. Gigliotti then explained that most "conservatories" (especially those that are scholarship oriented like Curtis, I think that was the one he tried out for . . . ) are more hesitant to enroll an older student than a younger one. I believe some of the reasons that were explained to the instructor at my college were along the lines of that a younger person is 'easier' to break down any bad habits and 'retrain' them. I also have a feeling that at some point it comes down also to the simple fact that there is more of a chance of the younger student being around longer to play music than someone who WAS in their forties already.
Just how if someone was auditioning for a spot in an orchestra, the orchestra might be more inclined to take a 20 year old over a 60 year old if they consider that the 60 year old might retire in ten years whereas the 20 year old would enjoy a longer 'tenure'.
I could be way off, but I remember this being explained to me. And for the record, the clarinet teacher at my school took lessons privately with Mr. Gigliotti anyway and considers him his primary teacher. And he did well enough! (even WITHOUT Curtis!)
As for entering a university, I believe getting in at a university would be easier. They NEED to get paid and so I'm sure they're willing to be a little more 'liberal' in their selection process as long as you can foot the bill and demonstrate that you can handle getting a degree there.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2004-06-11 19:01
Alexi says:
"I also have a feeling that at some point it comes down also to the simple fact that there is more of a chance of the younger student being around longer to play music than someone who WAS in their forties already."
IMO, this is one of the "red herrings" that gets thrown at us over-40 types whenever we seek to reinvent ourselves. I often doubt that the potential for professional longevity implied in this presumption is actually borne out in fact.
People change, and circumstances change, and age is only one of the variables -- and not necessarily the most important one -- that factors into professional longevity.
You might just as easily argue that it would be BETTER to take a chance on an older candidate, because their maturity makes it more likely that they will be stable and productive.
But then, as Mr. Reagan said of Mr. Mondale, we shouldn't hold a person's youth and inexperience against them. ![[happy]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley12.gif)
Susan
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-06-11 20:09
Susan,
"You might just as easily argue that it would be BETTER to take a chance on an older candidate, because their maturity makes it more likely that they will be stable and productive.
But then, as Mr. Reagan said of Mr. Mondale, we shouldn't hold a person's youth and inexperience against them."
Wonderful argument!!!!!!!!! ![[up]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley24.gif)
HRL
Post Edited (2004-06-11 20:16)
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2004-06-11 21:07
There was a fellow at the university I went to who was a flute major and was about 70-80 years old. He might have been a little older. Earlier in his life he had wanted to be a music major, but his mother would not let him. He had gone on and gotten a PhD. in another field and since he was retired decided that he would finally get that degree in music he always wanted. He was a great guy and was just one of the gang. I don't know if I would be that enthusiastic at that age, but people as smart and determined as he was, it was going to be hard to tell him no.
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