 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: vials
Date: 2008-07-22 12:20
Hi everyone, this is my first post here, though i have for at least a year been reading the bboard =)
I live in Sweden, play the clarinet, and am starting my senior year in high school this year. I want to do my undergraduate in performance at a college in the U.S and would like some (.. a lot!) of advice regarding, well, everything!
I am reading about all the top places like eastman, cleveland, curtis, etc, and they all seem fantastic, but of course it must be really hard to get accepted to one of "those". So here's my main problem, I have no idea how good i am in comparison to the people who get into these schools. My high school is what we call a "music high school" or something, so I get private lessons and all that in school. Here I am considered very good, but to be honest there are not that many clarinetists to be compared to, Sweden is a small country!
I play both jazz and classical (more and more classical though), and I have two videos on youtube you can check out Unfortunately it's only from when im playing in a jazz ensemble in school, and the other is me playing a jazzed up arrangement of Paganinis no 24 caprice, but I DO play a lot of classical music too. In september I am going to play the 1st movement of Weber 1 with the school symfony orchestra in Germany
http://youtube.com/user/voggorb
Since i won't have the opportunity of visiting a lot of schools and teachers to get myself an idea of what would be best for me, all i can really go by are other people's opinions on the different colleges/conservatories, etc.
One thing I know is that i'm not absurdly talented like Julian Bliss for example, but I work hard at improving and want to go as far as I possibly can in performing
So basically I'm asking you guys for advice on choosing schools to apply to. It would be ideal for me to listen to other clarinetists in my age who are applying to the top schools so I can know how I compare to them..
Anyway, thanks for taking your time reading this rather long post, and I appreciate ALL advice!
Post Edited (2008-07-22 12:20)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Neal Raskin
Date: 2008-07-22 12:50
First off, Nice Playing! Your jazz sound is very professional. I am going to be a junior this fall at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. We have a really great clarinet professor. Our college has many outstanding performers, however, the music department more known for the music education program. I myself have debated several times switching to clarinet performance but found that education is my true passion.
I have taken a couple of lessons with Burt Hara of the Minnesota Orchestra. The performance program at the University of Minnesota is a good one. I've also heard good things about Robert Spring down at Arizona State (i think...). Though, I'm not sure if either of these teachers take undergraduate students, I can tell you that they will take you if they feel you have the potential and desire to be a great performer.
Good luck with the search!
Neal
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: vials
Date: 2008-07-22 13:41
Thank you Neal, both for the compliment and for the advice/info! I will look into those places you suggested
While visiting different schools' websites I found that for example USC and Juilliard have many students from different countries. And I have read here on the bboard that Univserity of Florida practically only accepts in-state students, please correct me if I'm wrong. Do you guys know of any other schools that have large diversity, with international students?
More info and advice! You guys are my main source of info regarding my future education haha =)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: MartyMagnini
Date: 2008-07-22 14:37
I think you sound great, and you take a very nice solo on "beautiful love". It's a bit hard to tell without hearing you play some strictly legit pieces, but it sounds like you are a very fine player who would be able to get into many music schools, perhaps even Eastman, Curtis, etc.
There are as many different opinions about music schools as there are about mouthpieces, and I offer the same advice on both: one will just "fit" you better, there is no right answer. There was a thread here a few weeks ago about people's preferences for music schools, I can't find the link right now, but do a search and you should find it.
When you get as list of schools you are interested in, check their websites and get in contact with the clarinet prof. He/she should be able to give you some info about their teaching methods and goals - that should be helpful. And visit as many as you can - one will just seem right to you.
Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-07-22 15:19
Visit my web page and if you're interested in Peabody(Johns Hopkings University) and me e-mail at my aol address and let me know more about you. I'd like to know what pieces of music you are presently playing and what etude books you work on. I'd also like to know how much you practice every day and week. There are a lot of good schools and teachers in the USA. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 A little Mozart
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2008-07-22 20:14)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: fantasmacantos
Date: 2008-07-22 15:19
Your playing is great!!! I really love it. Apply to any school, you will be accepted.
I recommend you to look for the teachers. I mean, if you dont like the Neidich's playing dont go for him and his school, if you like Burt Hara's playing go for him at Minesota.
And for international students, there are some universities with terrific facilities for us, DePaul, Eastman, Indiana, Pittsburgh... in general, big cities, mostly of the state-universities doesnt have a "real" program of scholarships for international students.
Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: vials
Date: 2008-07-22 15:25
Wow, thanks everybody! your words just gave me a huge boost of self confidence :D I will try to have the Weber 1 concert recorded and put it up on youtube too, but that's not until the end of September.
And good advice too =)
Post Edited (2008-07-22 15:27)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarionman
Date: 2008-07-22 16:41
Very nice playing vials, I am not into jazz but I enjoy your performance.
Just do what MartyMagnini said
Get a list of schools you are interested in and get in contact with the clarinet professor to get some info about their teaching methods and goals.
You don't want to end up in a school with a professor whose teaching method/goals you don't agree with. College is very expensive especially for an international student. Make a very good inform decision.
Good luck with your search.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: davidsampson
Date: 2008-07-23 03:33
I know both Columbia and NYU (both in New York City) look heavily for international students. Columbia prides itself in accepting them, so you would have a good shot there. It's also a very fine school academically.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
