 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jack Stewart
Date: 2013-03-15 23:35
I'm a senior in high school and plan to study music in college (likely a double major in performance and education). Having finished auditions and waiting to hear back about scholarships, I am doing my best to gather information from many sources and people I respect, and evaluate the schools both subjectively and more analytically/objectively. I have of course considered all the obvious aspects (professor, ensemble quality, faculty, final cost, location, etc.). My question to all of you is: What are some of the most important factors I should consider in making the decision?
If you wish to speak more specifically about the schools I have applied to, I would prefer to do so via e-mail (jakstewart@sbcglobal.net).
Thank you!
Jack Stewart
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Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-03-16 02:25
Regardless of your major, three things pop into my mind.
1) What are your specific goals after graduation? Will it be persuing graduate and post-graduate degrees? Will you become a performer/teacher/etc.?
2) If you go on for further education, then check out how well your schools are able to place their graduates in graduate programs.
3) Likewise, if performance is your goal, then how well do your schools do in placing their graduates in the music market place (especially in the area you would like to perform).
These were the things I looked into when I went into medicine...they really don't change regardless of the career you choose. I've been happily practicing as a family physician for 30+ years (and am chasing my dream by learning the clarinet).
Good luck and enjoy the next years learning and growing!
Tristan
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Author: Mom
Date: 2013-03-16 06:44
Our criteria from a few years back (and much of this was advice from the good folks in this community):
1) Everything Dr. Tristan said, mainly “What happens to your students when they graduate?”
2) Teacher fit. Is the teacher someone you can work well with, and do they have some connections in the clarinet community, or other connections that may be beneficial for you. Do you need a teacher who is very picky and demanding, or do you prefer general guidance while motivating yourself?
3) What is the playing level of other clarinetists? How about other instruments? If you choose a school where you are starting out near the top of the heap, will you be able to motivate yourself to keep moving forward?
4) What about opportunities to perform both on campus and off campus?
5) Music curriculum: Is there a wide range of music experience? What about newer areas of music interest such as musicians’ health and injury prevention? Business/entrepreneurship/community involvement?
6) I am told that if your main interest is teaching, it is best to go to school in the state where you want to teach.
7) Consider what sort of flexibility you have at each school in case you ever decide to change your teacher, change your major, etc.
8) What are the non-music requirements of each school?
9) Finances. Don’t just take into account scholarship money. Think about rent in the community once you leave the dorms. Will you need a car? If you will be far away from home, think about air fare, shipping, moving expenses etc.
10) Location. Do you prefer a larger or smaller city? Larger cities may have more opportunities, but you may find yourself in need of excellent time management skills. Smaller environments may give you more solitude to immerse yourself in your practicing.
11) How are the facilities?
12) How competitive or supportive is the environment?
No school will be perfect. You will have to decide on your priorities. Hopefully your parents are behind you.
I wish you all the best!
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-03-16 13:28
The teacher you will be studing with, take a lesson before deciding, see if you have a "match" . Also, the ensembles the school offers that you will play in. Then the feeling of the campus, walk around and talk to the students in your major to find out what they think for the teachers and the programs.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2013-03-16 14:21
Jack, do you enjoy marching band? There have been many discussions about the topic on this board in the past, but I'll say this: in many universities, music ed majors are required or strongly encouraged to march. This isn't necessarily a bad thing since many music educators later go on to direct high school marching bands. Still, college marching band can be a major time commitment.
It isn't the same everywhere, but at some universities, there is a disconnect between the applied woodwind faculty and the band department. Woodwind professors often tell their students, "Don't join the marching band because it will ruin your embouchure and take away precious practice time." At the same time, band directors tell students, "We really want you to march." This happened to me many years ago at a Big Ten school, and from what others have told me, it's still happening there. My message to you is this: find out what marching band expectations are, and find out how the woodwind faculty feels about marching band.
How are your piano skills? Entering college as a music major, it really helps if you can play at least a little.
In many places nowadays, public school music teachers are expected to do it all, teaching everything from elementary general music to high school jazz band. I would find out how these colleges will make it possible for you to be prepared to meet the challenges of the modern music teacher.
There's one final point to make, one that colleges frequently don't tell incoming freshmen. In many music schools (and frequently in other university departments as well), there is a screening or weeding-out process that takes place before, during, or after the sophomore year. In other words, students are told, "If you want to continue in this program, you will have to meet certain standards. If you don't you're out." Many students who are suddenly "rejected" thought they were doing fine, but have to change majors, try again later, or transfer to another school. Before you select a college, ask some questions about this. Don't be satisfied with vague answers.
Good luck to you!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-03-18 00:25
Any good college, university or conservatory will present you with more opportunities than you know what to do with. If you don't get into Curtis, or maybe Juilliard, in my opinion it doesn't matter much where you go. Also, the competition for playing careers is so ferocious that even the best players can be shut out.
Wherever you go, the clarinet prof will know stuff you don't know. The important thing is to go for a visit and listen to the prof's best students. What you're looking (listening) for is that all of them play well and, even more important, that no two sound the same. The great teachers don't turn out clones of themselves, but help you find your own way.
If you have both the musical and the intellectual chops, you should try for a place like Oberlin, which is top-notch in both areas. This will give you the chance to find what you can do and love. It's never possible to determine that in advance. As I have said before, my freshman roommate had a detailed plan to get a combined physics and engineering degree. He graduated with a major in medieval German.
What matters is your talent and determination to be the best. The school is much less important. Only slightly off-topic, remember that Jeremy Lin, the hottest young guard in the NBA, got there from Harvard.
Ken Shaw
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