 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ShazamaPajama
Date: 2009-12-23 12:31
I've been talking to a few teachers around town and I have come up with a few schools to consider that take advantage of the WUE. The WUE basically reduces the cost of a college, that is eligible, for people like me who are from western USA.
Do you guys have any information on the music programs at any of these schools?
Southern Utah University
University of Montana, Missoula
New Mexico State University
Idaho State university
Central Washington University
University of Northern Colorado
Northern Arizona University
Thanks in Advance
-Devin
Post Edited (2009-12-23 13:06)
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2009-12-23 13:36
I don't know about those schools, but one thing to look at is the basica quality of the students.
Try to contact the schools and get some recordings of previous students performances and judge for yourself. How is the orchestra? Or the band? How much chamber music do they do? Do they do a lot of contemporary stuff or a lot of traditional stuff (most schools seem to focus on one or the other)?
You might want to contact the clarinet professors and ask for similar recordings of recent/current students.
Listen to the different recordings and try to go to the place you like the most.
You might also want to visit the school and meet the clarinet professors for a lesson, if you have the time/money.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-12-23 14:25
The question is: Do YOU know anything about the music programs at these schools?
Have you written to any of them for brochures, course catalogues or other information? What do they expect of you for admission? How much do they cost? What is their curriculum? How do their courses match up? Who teaches there? How many students in each studio? What is it you want from the education they can provide? Do they track their students after graduation? What instrument(s) do they expect you to have? Are the admissions requirements pretty much the same across the board? Do you meet them?
Can you get partial aid through work-study, perhaps in your field?
Online chat boards can be good sources of information, but they are not how to do serious research. You have to do that. First. Then, bring us your results.
If you're going to ask questions, ask the schools. Gather facts and figures. This may open the door to other questions--good questions you never knew you needed to ask. When you've compiled real profiles of these places---when you can tell US what YOU know about them, then perhaps we can answer thoughtfully. Or make suggestions about more questions to ask. On-line conversations are fun, but they are not a substitute for what you, personally, need to find out.
Otherwise, all you're going to get is more questions from us, with the possibility of a few good anecdotes should we happen to know a teacher at one of these places.
And while you're at it, why not get in touch with some of the professors. See if you can visit, as skygardener suggested. Call the admissions office if there's something in the schools' literature you don't understand. These schools want students; they want to hear from you. Become an educated consumer.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-12-23 15:56
Check out their websites, look at the music programs, ensembles and requirements and read about the clarinet teacher. Then once you choose the ones that look interesting to you try to visit the school and arrange to have a lesson with the clarinet teacher if possible. It's best to try to visit when school is in session so you can speak to some of the students and check out one or two of their ensembles in person by listening to a rehearsal or live concert. If you want to go for a performance degree, good luck with ever getting a job, then look for a teacher that has professional playing experience as well as teaching experience. If it's a music ed degree, or something associated with music like recording or therapy then the performance experience is not as important. Just having degrees does not make a good teacher and just being an experienced player does not make a good teacher. That's why it always a good idea to try to arrange a lesson and talk to some of the student if possible. You have to make a connection with a teacher. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2009-12-23 16:05
If you're thinking about schools in the state of Washington, don't forget to have a look at Eastern Washington U in Cheney, WA. There are two really good clarinetists on the faculty, Jane Ellsworth (music history, but armed with a pair of Rossis), and Todd Deljuidice (clarinet and sax).
Several of the Spokane Symphony musicians are on the faculty --including principal cellist John Marshal (composition and chamber and cello).
The school has several outreach programs that are really great for the community: Clarinexus, Cellobration, Bassoonarama, ... (not all the instrumentalists at Cheney are punsters.)
Bob Phillips
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Author: Chetclarinet
Date: 2009-12-23 16:43
Also check out the University of Northern Colorado. It is known for its outstanding Jazz Education program. However, the last time I checked, the clarinet faculty included Bill Jackson, Principal in the Colorado Orchestra, and Brad Behn, of Behn Mouthpieces International. Both are extremely excellent players!
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Author: Connor
Date: 2009-12-26 20:57
Chetclarinet
You are correct about faculty at UNCO (University of Northern Colorado). UNCO is recognized as a great music education school with at top notch jazz program.
ShazamaPajama
If im not mistaken, Colorado schools honor the WUE program, (Many colleagues and friends are from Wyoming on a similar program).
UNCO does not have a lot of cash, however, tuition is fairly cheep and the faculty are top notch. Professor Bil Jackson has many students playing in the Presidents Own Band and other professional ensembles. Its worth noting that Brad Behn was a student of Bils (and Marcellus) at one point. Brad is a profound teacher and cares deeply about his students.
The University Ensembles are quite good, the UNCO orchestra has won multiple down beat awards, and the Wind Ensemble is a great group that records new young band for Grand Mesa publishers that distributes around 30,000 CD's a year to band directors across the nation.
http://www.grandmesamusic.com/
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Author: Connor
Date: 2009-12-26 21:01
Chetclarinet
You are correct about faculty at UNCO (University of Northern Colorado). UNCO is recognized as a great music education school with at top notch jazz program.
ShazamaPajama
If im not mistaken, Colorado schools honor the WUE program, (Many colleagues and friends are from Wyoming on a similar program).
UNCO does not have a lot of cash, however, tuition is fairly cheep and the faculty are top notch. Professor Bil Jackson has many students playing in the Presidents Own Band and other professional ensembles. Its worth noting that Brad Behn was a student of Bils (and Marcellus) at one point. Professor Behn is a great teacher that likes to think outside the box and cares deeply about his students.
The University Ensembles are quite good, the UNCO orchestra has won multiple down beat awards, and the Wind Ensemble is a great group that records new young band for Grand Mesa publishers that distributes around 30,000 (yes, that many zeros) CD's a year to band directors across the nation.
http://www.grandmesamusic.com/
Connor O'Meara
UNCO clarinet performance
"I may drive a Ford, but I play a Buffet!"
MM. Clarinet Performance University of Texas at Austin (2012).
BM. Clarinet Performance University of Northern Colorado (2010).
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