 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sarah Beth
Date: 2003-07-07 02:55
Hey,
I just finished my first year in University and I was generally unimpressed with my experience...Im thinking about transferring....If you've been through this sort of thing and have any comments or advice PLEASE let me know...I just cant figure out what to do...I mean, my teacher is great, and thats about it. I don't like the whole ensemble situation, the lack of performing oppurtunities and the overall environment. It's just not what I expected or hoped it would be like...I'm living in a city where our campus IS the city, and I was really hoping for a campus. I figured that it wouldnt bother me much and that i could get over it, but it's really something that I'm beginning to regret. If you have any advice let me know!...
Thanks!
Sarah
Also, if your attending a university that you are overall pleased with let me know which one!...
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Author: Emily
Date: 2003-07-07 03:35
I think the big question on all out minds is...what university did you go to?
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Author: dfh
Date: 2003-07-07 03:39
I went to a huge university, and after my freshman year, I wanted to transfer. I hated it. I auditioned elsewhere and got accepted, but just due to what was going on in my personal life, I never made the transfer, which turned out to be a good thing. I hated it until after my 2nd year, then I realized the bonus side to where I was. By the time I graduated, I was very grateful that I hadn't left. Having a good teacher is really important. Lack of performing is a problem, BUT - the less you have to prepare for performances, the more time you have to practice clarinet basics and beyond - so it's give and take. If your performance opportunity will increase as you get older - it may be worth sticking it out. OR- create your own performance opportunities. Give recitals solo and/or chamber music.
If you want a big campus - check out the University of Illinois, or Indiana or MI (there are others, I'm sure.) This is a really personal thing - there probably is no "perfect" school - but there is one that could give you more of what you want.
Good luck!
dfh
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Author: William
Date: 2003-07-07 14:26
Two recommendations:
1) University of Wisconsin--Madison campus. Beautiful setting on Lake Mendota and ample playing opportunities at school as well as in the Madison community. Clarinet Professor Linda Bartley is well liked and could use more good students.
2) Northwestern University--Evanston, IL. Close to downtown Chicago with numerous musical opportunites of all kinds. The great teacher (and player) Russ Dagon is a definate plus.
However, sometimes you just hve to make your own opportunites when the ones you "really want" do not exist. Ex--woodwind quintet, jazz ensemble or combo, wind ensemble. Nothing wrong with initiative as a student--worked for Fennel at Eastman.
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Author: SaRaH18
Date: 2003-07-07 15:55
If you want to transfer to a big campus and experience real college life I recommend that you try out Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, FL.
www.pcci.edu
The student body is not too big, and not too small. The facilities are excellent and the campus is beautiful. I suggest that you check out their website as listed above.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-07-07 16:17
SaRaH18 wrote:
> If you want to transfer to a big campus and experience real
> college life I recommend that you try out Pensacola Christian
> College in Pensacola, FL.
Be aware, however, that PCC is an unaccredited college and the credits granted may not be transferrable to an accredited university (i.e., you may have trouble getting into an accredited grad school later). I know one person who was "bit" on this part when she tried to get into U of Mich grad school. She's now in the evening education program working up a new B.A. that's recognized.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-07-07 17:50
Hi,
I have always been a great believer in the larger state universities; all seem to have excellent music program. But of course, I'm a bit biased having been a long-time resident of Fl, NE, and OH (they play a little football, too).
HRL
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Author: dfh
Date: 2003-07-08 02:09
SaHaH18 - what's this about 'real college experience". Anywhere you go to college is "real" - your there aren't you? - just maybe not big! I went to a huge state school - sometimes it seemed really surreal! (when else in your life would you be so surrounded by ppl your own age?)
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-07-09 05:49
Take a year off. Work for a while, save a bit of money or travel. Often it can be a mistake to go straight from school to university. The transition can be difficult and uncomfortable for some. I discontinued my first attempt but went back a few years later and had a ball. I am now doing post grad. The few years I had between school and really starting university were a valuable learning experience.
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Author: Sarah Beth
Date: 2003-07-09 17:11
Hey Mark,
Taking a year or maybe even a semester off sounds like a good idea...I might just do that after my second year if needed...It will give me some good time to save up money and figure things out...Thanks for the advice. I also think that for most people the first year is the hardest, and hopefully second year will be better....Thanks for all the help guys!
Sarah
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Author: aaron_diestel
Date: 2003-07-09 18:16
Sarah,
One thing to keep in mind is that you try and return if you do take time off. We all have thought about it at one time or another.
I would definately try and find a school and teach first that you would enjoy going to and studying with BEFORE you just take a year off.
That year may be benificial, however I've seen it be more detremental in many cases than a benificial outcome.
Here's a though however. If you know there is a teacher that you really like, lets use my teacher Bil Jackson for example. What you could do is move to the area, Denver in this case, find a job and take you extra time to practice and take lessons with the teacher. Basically you would be living in the area for that year, and be away from school. You would be making money, however you owuld also stil be taking lessons, which would be benifiting your clarinet playing during your time off.
WE know you like clarinet playing, so during your time off take with a great teacher, not necessarily every week, but once every other week to at least keep taking lessons. At this point that is the best thing you can do.
Aaron
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Author: clarinetqween
Date: 2003-07-09 18:27
University of South Dakota is great, no distractions, great clarinet teacher (Dr. Deborah Reeves) and of course the NATIONAL MUSIC MUSEUM which is an awesome resource for learning an education. Lots of great ensembles and opportunities here too since it is a smaller school. Look into it!
College website:
www.usd.edu
National Music Museum Website:
www.usd.edu/smm
University of South Dakota Music Department website:
www.usd.edu/cfa/Music
Good Luck in what ever you chose!
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-07-09 19:00
I decided to take time off after my second year. Got tied up in such things as making money, having a family, and all that. Wound up getting a BA 38 years later. Not a great life-schedule.
As for performance opportunities, do make your own. That way you can play what you like. I was part of a self-generated trad jazz group. We had a lot of fun, drawing support from the institution rather quickly. Only five of us, but we enjoyed it, and so did a lot of other people.
There is no perfect university. An essential part of the university experience is becoming able to prosper in an environment which is not the most comfortable you could imagine.
Regards,
John
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Author: Clar inet
Date: 2003-07-09 20:45
big universities.. well in my opinion University of Southern California and U of Mich are probably the best two universities for music at the time. (we are not talking conservatories). Their students have been getting jobs and have a great time at those colleges. you would be surrounded by great musicians and yet still be away from the conservatory setting if thats what you like.
Post Edited (2003-07-09 22:31)
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Author: Laurie
Date: 2003-07-09 21:33
Have you ever considered looking into a music school that is a part of a larger school ? You get the best of both worlds. I go to The Crane School of Music, which is a division of SUNY Potsdam. It's great, because Crane is small, ( around 400 students ) yet, you have the whole SUNY Potsdam ( around 5000 students ) there to keep ya busy. We have a lot of performance opportunities - however, it's very hard to get into the top Orchestra. I think that will be an issue wherever you go. I love having a campus. I looked at some NYC and Boston Schools and that was a MAJOR issue for me. I love the small quint town of Potsdam and how small and friendly our campus is. The only problem is it's 8+ hours from home and in the middle of no where. Oh well, more encourgment to practice right ? I don't know where in the country you are but I looked into Ithaca, Potsdam, Fredonia, Hartt - they all have nice campus, a good sized population. Taking a year off is a good idea, just be careful, it's hard to go back!! lol The first year is always the hardest, i'm sure whatever you do, next will be better.
Good luck !!!
Laurie.
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