 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: K622
Date: 2010-10-14 00:35
Does anybody here have suggestions of schools with good teachers for a BM in clarinet performance? I'll be a senior next year but want to be looking in advance. Thanks.
Post Edited (2010-10-14 11:05)
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Author: Maestro_6
Date: 2010-10-14 02:22
One of the schools I'm looking at currently is Boyer College of Music (Branch of Temple University). They have a 5-year double major program for M. Education and M. Performance, which I take interest in. The teachers are from the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, tuition is much lower, the ensembles are diverse, plenty of opportunity and curriculum is quite thorough. If you like the relaxed fun of marching band, they have that too. Also, there is a prominent clarinetist in New York, who I believe is a current Peabody professor of clarinet, that received his BS and MM in clarinet performance from Boyer. Of course, this is in Pennsylvania.
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Author: K622
Date: 2010-10-14 02:44
I am not opposed to going far away if that means finding the right teacher. I'm not interested in Music Ed however and want to be playing, orchestral/chamber. I think I would prefer a conservatory environment but am not going to rule anything out quite yet.
Also- being near/ in a city or urban area would be a big plus as I want some outside musical exposure from concerts etc. Thank you!!!
Post Edited (2010-10-31 15:24)
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2010-10-14 03:27
Hi, K622,
Have you done any research? Have you looked at Web sites or sent for material from conservatories like Eastman, Juilliard, Peabody, Cleveland, New England or Cincinnati? How about Hartt (in Connecticut), or Crane?
How about schools like UMichigan, Michigan State, Indiana, USC?
Anything in Massachusetts, where you are?
Been to the library and thumbed through a college guide or two? Barron's, Peterson's, Fiske's?
You'll get a rundown on admissions requirements, tuition, scholarship aid, and lots more. That might narrow the field for you.
Have you talked to your band director, clarinet teacher or guidance counselor?
Why not do a little homework and come back with more specific questions? Otherwise, we'll just be flinging anecdotes at you---and they might be wide of the mark.
Post Edited (2010-10-14 05:24)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-10-14 10:05
A lot of good young players of late are coming out of the Cleveland Conservatory of Music. Also, Howard Klug has a great studio at the University of Indiana and Oberlin is just a cool school.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-10-14 14:59
There are so many good schools and teachers today you have a hugh choice. I'd suggest you read my website and look at the pages about Symphony jobs and taking auditions, it will give you some insight what to expect when pursing a career as a performance major. You need to know how few jobs in the symphony field are available once you graduate. Several hundred applicants for a hand full of jobs, at best.
As far as schools go you should google music schools and see what's available, there's a hugh choice. As I state on my website, unless your family can easily afford 200K plus for four years at a private conservatory, unless you can get a very very large scholarship of course. Do not go into debt to become a performance major unless you are willing to go into a military band when you graduate, most of the well known big bands help pay off a portion of your loans. I'd suggest that you look into state universities, many have very good departments and teachers, especially in state if possible. You can cost your costs by 2/3rds in many cases. Then you can use the money you saved to go for a masters degree in a private school if you think you're good enough to "make it" at the time. I also suggest you minor or double major in something else, even a music associated subject, so you stand a chance of maybe getting a job doing something in music. Our music schools are just putting out far to many clarinet graduates, many not even close to being able to compete. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-10-14 15:02
Whatever you decide, take a look at Ed Palanker's website. He is a former instructor and plays with the Baltimore Symphony. He has an interesting article that ALL prospective performance majors should read.
http://www.eddiesclarinet.com
Click on the link to the Symphony Jobs article.
Jeff
EDIT: I see Ed posted while I was typing.
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2010-10-14 15:03)
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Author: William
Date: 2010-10-14 15:04
IMHO, a degree in "performance" is about as useful as a degree in "english". With either, to do anything beyond playing your instrument or writting a book requires additional certification or master's level training--and that's more time and money. As for learning to play your instrument, your money can be better spent relocating near a great teacher, taking private lessons and--instead of doing all of the "other stuff" a university level curriculum will require of you--spend the necessary quality time practicing your clarinet and making yourself the player you think you can become. And then, remember, nothing in professional clarinetistry is really a "done deal"--you must win auditions, hope your orchestra survies the current economy, attract lots of private students of your own or learn to make mouthpieces & other specialized equipement to sell (because you will not earn enough just playing with your group) and then be lucky enough because there will always be at least a thousand other clarinetists out there competing with you for the same jobs. And to teach at the college level these days often requires a doctoral degree.
I would advise doing what my cousin did, who was also, btw, a very good high school musician. Go to college, pursue a variety of musical activities and take lessons (he played bass with Chicago's Lyric Opera while attending Northwestern) but get your BM or BA degree in something you can use after college if you don't get the gig of your dreams. His was in business administration and he is doing quite well playing his instrument and supporting his family, finacially. Think about it--you may be really good, but so are a lot of others and no one is ever "the best" and in demand.
Sorry to rain on your parade, but that's somewhat the way it is "out there".
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-10-14 15:45
I forgot to add that once you limit your choices make sure you arrange to take a lesson with the clarinet instructor you would like to study with. You have to know if you both click. ESP
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-10-14 18:56
Don't forget about USC. a few players lately have won past orchestra positions.
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2010-10-14 20:03
I spent all 7 of my college years in state schools (first 5 at SUNY Geneseo, last 2 at SUNY Oswego). I got my BS in Accounting at Geneseo. I went to Oswego with the intention of getting an MBA, but I only finished one semester (dropped the grad program partway through the 2nd semester). I couldn't handle the program. I liked the school and did a lot of the music major requirements while at Geneseo, so I spent the 2nd year at Oswego finishing my BA in Music.
I knew it wouldn't do squat in terms of employment, but I figured it was started so why not finish, and I already finished my undergrad Accounting degree. Where am I now? Social Security Disability (due to various mental and physical issues).
Rachel
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-10-14 20:58
As you're looking at music schools . . .
See if it's possible to also study saxophone. Ask if the school is open to other styles of playing--ethnic clarinet, jazz, etc. Many universities have programs or courses in the business of music, and this is probably very worthwhile. Since you aren't going into education, be open to the idea of a job with a major company like Conn-Selmer, Yamaha, Vandoren, or D'Addario (Rico). Consider the possibility of an administrative position with a symphony orchestra.
At this point in your life, keep all your options open.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2010-10-14 23:43
I further support the recommendations of finding somewhere good yet inexpensive for undergrad. Give yourself time to figure out what you want to do. It may be music, it may not. Being stuck in a $30k/yr conservatory sucks if you decide microbiology is your real passion in life, but it's not so tragic at a $5000 state school. And if you DO end up sticking with music, grad school is a more appropriate place to plonk down the big bucks. I'm taking out more in loans for each year of grad school than I paid for my entire 7-year undergrad.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: K622
Date: 2010-10-15 10:58
Thanks everybody for you responses! Yes, I have done a lot of research and talking with people I know but thought that it couldn't hurt to get some outside suggestions as well.
@ EEBaum- Music IS my life. I can't imagine not doing it some capacity and practice for hours each day; when I not doing that I am studying scores, listening, etc. I'm not going to be changing my mind anytime soon- this is what I want to do!
@ Clarinetguy- yes, I do play some jazz tenor sax (and double on bass clarinet). However, I have been playing piano for years and also have one several composition competitions. If all else fails with performance, I could always go into musicology or one of my other musical interests, which I could double major in. I know that there's a lot of competition and have been exposed to some of it but...I am not going to give up on something this important to me quite yet.
Post Edited (2010-10-31 15:24)
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Author: smokey4016
Date: 2010-10-15 12:06
Thanks for the info on Boyer College, i just looked at the page and the prices are great. Do you know if they have dorms in their college??
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2010-10-15 17:34
Alex I think you have the wrong thread! The actuarial science kid is on the other similar thread!
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Author: K622
Date: 2010-10-16 01:48
I was confused for a second until I realized the mix up!
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-10-16 04:31
K622 - "I could always go into musicology or one of my other musical interests, which I could double major in."
Musicology doesn't pay much in the real world. You should research this a bit. I thought about this for my Masters, then when I found out it only paid about $13,000, back in 1982, I decided not to go. I know this was 1982, but double check the pay scale before spending a ton of money and only making $25,000 or so. Hope this helps.
Also, don't be afraid to try out for one or 2 top schools, just have a backup school in mind.
I tried out for Eastman back in the day and played terrible. I auditioned the following and made it. Couldn't afford the school, but it was nice to show Stanley Hasty I improved!
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2010-10-16 05:15
As for not changing your mind, you never know. For years (from the time I was 4 until my mid 20s), my passion was computers, computer games, etc. I inhaled everything, was darn good at it, was named the department's outstanding graduate, won contests, interned at a computer game company, etc. By the time I graduated, I'd lost the drive, passion, and even moderate interest. Worked a couple years in industry as I regrouped... I can still go back if I want (fallback for a paycheck), but at the moment am so far gone that I've been mulling the possible consequences of not having a computer at all.
Keep your options open, and do try as much as you can in your undergrad. You may think now that you have no interest in anything else, but that may just be because you haven't been exposed to something you'd like even better. A year before I graduated, I took a bio class, and was so enthralled that I about wanted to declare a minor. Only a bit of "two majors is enough, now's time to graduate, you'll have to live vicariously through someone else" got me moving on. I might well also have felt that way about linguistics if I'd ever taken a class in it... that's another "stay away or you'll get sucked in" field of mine. Maybe for my mid-life crisis I'll go back to school for that.
I wouldn't look at it as "in case music doesn't work out" but rather "in addition to music." It's a great time to explore what's out there. Don't put blinders on just yet.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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