 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: musiq
Date: 2003-07-04 20:04
HI, I am about to start my undergrad in a couple of months and I am very excited. My choices for college were either Michigan State University(much cheaper) or Depaul University(very expspensive).I have chosen Depaul University because I love Chicago and I have heard good things about their faculty. My goal is to be a professional clarinet player, have a job in a major orchestra ,and be a prof. of a clarinet. Did i make a good choice for college, or should I look into transfering into an even more renowned school. I still can go to MSU if I want and save alot of money but I didn't think MSU would help me reach my goals as much as DePaul. So... someone please share their opinions about DePaul and what I should make sure I do in my undergrad to help me reach my goals.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: vin
Date: 2003-07-04 22:52
DePaul is just fine; there are several people who went there who have jobs now. It doesn't matter where you go to school as long as there are people who inspire you. It's what you do with it.
1. Learn from those better than you
2. Listen to great music (singers, cellists, brass playing- recordings and live concerts)
3. Play for as many people as you can whose opinions you respect
4. Practice like hell or forget it (especially what you are bad at)
5. Always keep your long term goals in mind
6. Practice slowly
7. Don't let really negative and competitive people get to you; don't become one too
8. Practice like hell or forget it
Good luck.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Carmen
Date: 2003-07-06 00:14
Hi!
I will be attending DePaul as well in the fall, and cannot wait to begin my studies there! You should know that there isn't anything (at least in my opinion) to fear with attending such a great school. We will be in the city, close to great musicians and close to plenty of future employment oppurtunities, and a friendly atmosphere. The facilities are excellent, and as I hope you know, the faculty for clarinet is possibly one of the best around! It is nice meeting you, I'll look for you in the fall!
Carmen Izzo
***...so do all who seen such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you can do is decide what to do with the time that is given to you.***
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DAVE
Date: 2003-07-06 00:49
As a Depaul graduate, I think you have made a good choice. All of the teachers are fine.
For me the biggest complaint would be that I really wasn't pushed hard. The classes were easy, attendance in a lot of classes was not manditory, and if I did not practice there really wasn't much consequence. Combs really does not get angry or show a lot of displeasure. I wish he would have really torn into me!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 68fordfalcon
Date: 2003-07-06 19:49
I too went to DePaul for a couple years, and I was heavily involved in the optional attendance policies for many of the classes. Self-motivation is definitely the key. There are quite a few talented clarinetists at the school. Many of the undergrad students come to have the chance to study with Combs, but very few get to, as his studio usually only has 4 or 5 students per year. He is not a teacher who uses fear to motivate his students. Inevitably, you will get out of it what you put in-If you have high expectations of yourself in terms of the goals you want to reach both academically and musically, there's nothing standing in your way. At the college level we're inundated with stimuli from so many angles, and it can be a bit overwhelming. I assure you that your journey through academia will be challenging and enlightening, and my advice to you would be to practice A LOT, and approach your studies as a work in progress. Listen to as much music as you can, and if you choose to skip classes, use the extra time to sit in the sun or practice. By November, you will be practicing much more than sitting in the sun.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: musiq
Date: 2003-07-07 00:22
I would love to just study with any of their fabulous teachers, but how does the university pick who studies with Combs or any of the teachers for that matter.
carmen-
if you dont mind whats your email or aim screen name i would love to keep in touch or just talk before we get there.
dave or anyone who went-
even though one may not be pushed really hard, can they become a competative clarinetist when its time to look for jobs. Also once you have been excepted and started your undergrad, are there more scholarships you can apply for in general that are for undergrad students.
Also, I was wondering how important is it for me to get an A clarinet before college. I dont have one yet and I am in the process of looking for one. I am looking to spend about 2300 dollars.. any suggestions. Or should I just wait and see what my teacher this fall recomends. thanx alot for you comments thus far and anyone who has anymore, keep them comin!!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Emily
Date: 2003-07-07 03:41
musiq, unless you're really planning on not making the orchestra, I would tell you to get the A. You'll be sunk without it in orchestra. Otherwise, take your time
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: dfh
Date: 2003-07-07 03:51
I would recommend waiting to buy and instrument with the help of your teacher - they will hear things that you may not. I think you would really need have to have an A cl. in college.
Self motivation is the key to being a great musician, no matter who your teacher is. If you are as serious as you sound, it is good that you are attending a school that is in a really competitive city. If you go to DePaul and don't like it - you can always transfer. Good luck and happy practicing!
vin - your 8 pointers are great - I'm going to print them out and put them where I can see them!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Eileen
Date: 2003-07-07 17:16
As someone who lives in Chicago not far from DePaul, I can guarantee that you won't be "sitting in the sun" come November. Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Carmen
Date: 2003-07-07 17:43
Hey Musicq,
You can reach me with Mancar007@yahoo.com
OR
AIM: Mancar00726
To find such info you can just check under Woodwind.org profiles, having living near chicago (i dont know where youre from) and having had a great deal of experience in the city im sure i can be of some help!
CARMEN IZZO
***...so do all who seen such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you can do is decide what to do with the time that is given to you.***
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DAVE
Date: 2003-07-07 18:57
Musiq,
When I was at Depaul, every freshman started with Julie. After the first year or two with her SOME people are selected to study with the others. I think the decision is mainly made by Julie, but I could be wrong.
Wait to buy an A; as a freshman you won't play in the orchestra. Also, why not let some of the best clarinet players in the world help you choose one?
Whether or not you will become competetive is entirely up to you regardless of which school you attend.
You might want to consider an education degree so as to make yourself a little more marketable. I majored in performance and I can tell you that it was pretty much worthless. Also, from the way you talk I don't get the idea you have a good sense of what you're getting yourself into. I remember thinking how easy it all would be. I would go to depaul, study with Combs, and then take a few auditions and then presto!, have the job of my dreams. Well, all those things have happened except the little job part; still looking for the job of my dreams.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: musiq
Date: 2003-07-07 19:56
Dave-
Oh dont get me wrong, I know what im getting myself into and I am very excited of putting myself through it. Seriously I could not see myself keeping my sanity without music. As far as education goes I was thinking about getting that degree, but not as a back up. I dont like when people just get the degree as a backup... I would get it because I would like being a teacher as well. The main reason why that is not my number one goal is because I yearn more for performance. Also band directors have to do so much besides teach and some dont find time to create music.
I guess I feel so urgent about getting the A is because I somewhat have the money now and know for sure I wont when its time to be a poor college student. Also, it seem like everyone has one when ever I go to different music functuions. I know I can just save the money but trust me, if I keep the money it will most likely get spent on something for college that I didn't plan on it going to. As far as the orchestra thing goes, who knows if I will make it, probably not but if I do I would like to be prepared. Ummm if I decide to get one should I go through International music or should I go to woodwind brasswind. I got my Bflat from woodwind brasswind and I love it. Also, when its time to audition for jobs how often do they pop up, and how do u hear about them. What is the average pay of an orchestra, I'm oviously not in it for the money but I do have to support myself.
in short I guess im just a kid with a dream and I really want it to come true, I cant see it any other way and I wont have it any other way.
- -Cocky, overconfident, "all my eggs in one basket"- -call it what you want, I just call it passion
Thanx Alot for your comments!!!!!! If you have more "keep 'em comin'"
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: dfh
Date: 2003-07-08 02:05
I just have to restate that you really really should wait to buy an A with the help of your teacher. Just last week I had a student come in with a "new horn" - I could've helped them get a much much better horn for less money - but they didn't ask. So now they have a crapy horn, and I can't say anything about it (yet). I have bought one horn w/o the help of "extra ears", and I'm still regretting it. Be patient - save the money! it's worth it!
If you really want to perform, then stick with performance. As an Ed major you probably wouldn't have enough time to practice.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DAVE
Date: 2003-07-08 04:46
dfh-
Larry Combs finds plenty of time for performance with his education degree from Eastman and I assume he had the time to practice.
musiq-
Trust me; you will not need an A clarinet as a freshman and you will not be in the Orchestra unless you are much better than the grad students and seniors. Also, I think in light of your prospective teachers, again, it would not be a good idea to get your A now. Why not set the money aside in a CD where the money is a little harder to spend on impulse for a few months?
Concerning your other questions-
Professional orchestra auditions for clarinet are not that frequent, maybe 4 or 5 a year that are worth taking. At these auditions you can expect to see anywhere from 50 to 100 people depending on the job that can play as well as you do or better. These audtions are advertised in the International Musician, a monthly publication sent out to members of the union and some libraries.
BTW-- If you want to save some money at DePaul, try sharing some textbooks with someone or use them in the library for free. Most of the textbooks were on reserve in the Library.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Clar inet
Date: 2003-07-08 04:49
you are going to be a clarinet major going to a university and you don't know who your clarinet teacher is going to be? Wow.. more than likely Wagner will tell you to just go out and get a horn ( i am assuming he is your teacher, deroche only took one freshman) .
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: musiq
Date: 2003-07-08 22:18
Thanx for all the comments thus far, but does anyone know how much an orchestra job gets payed?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DAVE
Date: 2003-07-09 03:05
"Worth Taking" for me would be something that pays a salary that I can live on. $4,000 a year to play in a small orchestra in Green Bay Wisconsin, for instance, is not an audition I will consider.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Todd W.
Date: 2003-07-09 16:33
DAVE --
Not even if they performed halftime shows at the Packers' games?
Todd W.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Carmen
Date: 2003-07-11 00:03
I'm not too sure a DePaul grad would want to play at a cheese-head game...
;^)
***...so do all who seen such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you can do is decide what to do with the time that is given to you.***
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brandon
Date: 2003-07-11 00:20
Carmen, go ask one who is musically unemployed...I am sure he/she will play at any game! And that is not just limited to a DePaul grad!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DAVE
Date: 2003-07-11 02:03
A lot of my friends who were clarinet majors at DePaul have never made a dollar with their clarinets. Many quit soon after graduation and went into something more stable.
As for playing at a half time event, Carmen, I can assure you that if you want to make any money in this line of work you will find yourself playing stuff you never would have imagined. Not that this is bad, but the very first real gig I played was in a back-up orchestra with Chet Atkins! It was great fun, but I always thought I would only be in a traditional Orchestral setting.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Carmen
Date: 2003-07-11 02:47
Sorry, if you did not catch the sarcasm behind my little Chicago-Green Bay rivalry joke, I was not trying to sound snooty and naive. Sorry for the mix up.
***...so do all who seen such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you can do is decide what to do with the time that is given to you.***
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
