 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jnc8
Date: 2010-01-06 16:52
Hello everyone,
I am a junior in college and I am interested in going on for a MM in Performance. So far, I am interested in the following colleges, in no particular order or preference at this time:
1. Indiana
2. U Michigan
3. Minnesota - Twin Cities
4. Rutgers
5. Boston University
6. U Maryland
7. Cincinnati Conservatory
I'm not going to bother to apply to go to USC or Yale.
What are your experiences with these institutions? What other institutions should I think about checking out?
Thanks!
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Author: HudsonAD
Date: 2010-01-06 18:32
Hey Man,
First off, congrats on getting started! Looks like you have some great choices already.
I am about to begin auditioning for MM programs next month, and I can tell you that there are a lot of excellent schools in the country! I ended up applying to Yale, Eastman, Northwestern, Mannes and Juilliard. I was able to do lessons at all but Yale (due to time and money constraints).
I know it is cliche, but meeting the professor is important. I had originally planned on not auditioning at several schools on my list, but after visiting the institutions for myself, I was very surprised with the quality!
My other advice would be to try some schools with excellent programs that you may have not previously considered. These can look like state schools, smaller schools, or maybe schools you just didn't think about!
Some additional considerations not on your list might be:
Northwestern University - Steve Cohen
Southern Illinois University Carbondale - Dr. Eric Mandat
University of Texas - Dr. Nathan Williams
Arizona State University - Dr. Robert Spring
University of North Carolina Greensboro - Dr. Kelly Burke or Dr. Anthony Taylor
I also encourage you also not to count a school out because you think it is out of your league. If anything, if you want to get in to a school like USC or Yale, email the teachers and do a lesson. Trust me - they'll tell you if you do not have a chance.
Good luck!
Andy
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Author: jnc8
Date: 2010-01-06 19:10
In response to Alex's question:
I would like to have a very good teacher who knows how to explain things instead of just the "monkey see, monkey do" approach. Ideally, I would like to be on a college faculty someday for clarinet, or perform in a military band or orchestra ... don't we all want that haha? I guess I want a teacher who can teach me to not only be a great player but also a good teacher. I would also like lots of opportunity for performing wherever I go.
In response to Andy:
There's no way I am going to apply to Eastman or Julliard. I had considered Northwestern and UNCG but I forgot to put them on the list. I have a friend who goes to UNCG and she loves it. I agree that visiting schools is the best method to figure out if a school/teacher is for you, and I think I will start thinking about that.
To everyone else:
Keep the responses coming!
Thanks
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-01-06 22:29
Choose a school by the clarinet teacher and the tuition and living expenses. You have to afford to attend so you don't go into debt. This is a field that is very difficult to get a job in the field of your choice to pay back loans. Once you decide on the 5-8 schools of your choice then arrange a lesson with the teacher you would like to study with so both of you can get a feeling for each other. You could also ask that teacher what they think you're chances of getting a scholarship are so you can make an intelligent decision. You need to go where you can afford and connect with the teacher. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: susannah
Date: 2010-01-07 07:03
On a related note, does anyone know how many clarinet students are usually accepted into post-grad study each year at schools like Yale and Juilliard?
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2010-01-07 08:28
I also recommend considering whether you'd want to end up living near that school. Grad school's a great place to make connections, and you'll likely have an easier time getting on with things after graduation if you stay in the area where you just got to know all those people.
Given what you're looking for (i.e. straight-up, traditional clarinet on the teaching path), those schools sound like a decent match, as would most of the "big name" places. I, for one, am not particularly aiming for clarinet professor nor orchestral player, which is why I ask. If you were looking to play bass clarinet in a death metal band, my answer would be different. :P
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: grenadilla428
Date: 2010-01-07 20:54
Ed is giving very excellent advice. When you're still in school, you don't necessarily think about paying back debt, but it will be a very heavy weight after graduation. It's not a matter of "settling," just of taking the opportunity that best presents itself.
Good luck!
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2010-01-07 21:25
If you come to UNCG to visit, I'd suggest looking into UNCSA as well, it's only 30 minutes down the road. Great school, great orchestra, mature players and lots of opportunities. They just got a great new teacher, and I could probably get some of the majors to talk to you about the ins and outs of the studio (from what it's been to what it's become).
http://www.uncsa.edu/music/facwindsfour.htm
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: clarinettist1104
Date: 2010-01-07 21:37
About UNCSA, I do not go there, but I drive there for lessons with their clarinet teacher. He is AMAZING! An excellent teacher, amazing player, and the nicest guy! He is encouraging, but he can always find something wrong. He can hear the slightest subtleties in your sound, interpretation, and he can demonstrate EVERYTHING. He will play it EXACTLY the way he wants it, and I would definitely recommend him! His name is Alex Fiterstein, and his website is www.fiterstein.com
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-01-08 21:36
You said:
I want a teacher who can teach me to not only be a great player but also a good teacher.
I know that there are so many excellent teachers out there that it's hard to choose. If you want someone who can help you to be a good teacher, you might want also want to consider Michelle Gingras at Miami of Ohio or David Pino at Texas State. I have never met either of them, and I don't know much about either university. Having said this, I've had some email communications with Pino and he seems to be a great guy. (Are there any Pino students out there?) His book, "The Clarinet and Clarinet Playing" is well-respected. He seems to be the kind of person who is really focused on how to teach. In fact, his book has a great chapter titled, "Teaching other clarinetists."
Gingras (any Gingras students out there?) gives me the impression that she also enjoys teaching, and she seems to have the ability to communicate her ideas very well. Her videos on YouTube are well worth watching, and she has many good common-sense ideas.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-01-08 21:55
Hey guys, there are a lot of very good teachers out there. We always hear about the ones with NAMES but there are so many other really fine teachers. You have to arrange a lesson to see if you both click, that's the only way to know. Don't forget too, a teacher is only as good as the student. It's easy to have a really great student that works hard to make progress, the secret is to take an average student and make them into a great player, that depends as much on the student as it does the teacher. ESP
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