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 Master's Advice
Author: ClarinettyBetty 
Date:   2016-04-20 20:25

Hello all,

I am getting my Master's in music performance beginning this fall. I have personal goals that I want to accomplish, and of course I plan to practice as much as possible, but besides that--

1) If you could go back in time and have a do-over for your Master's or even Bachelor's degree, what would you have done differently? What would you have taken advantage of that you didn't realize you should have?

2) What do you suggest I do if I plan on getting my doctorate so I can one day teach at the collegiate level? Cultivate relationships, hole up in a practice room, meet certain people, etc? Set up a performing group? Make a website? Worry about competitions? Not worry about competitions?

I want to go into my Master's degree strong and not let opportunities slip through my fingers.

For background info, money is not a problem, nor is time. I am an extremely fortunate individual right now!

Thank you all,

CB

-----------------------
Eb: 1972 Buffet BC20
Bb: Selmer Paris Presence
A: Selmer Paris Presence
Bass: 1977 LeBlanc

https://gentrywoodwinds.com




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 Re: Master's Advice
Author: brycon 
Date:   2016-04-20 23:08

If you don't pursue a doctorate, the masters is really the last opportunity you'll have to practice and study things on your own time, without the demands of the real world. So it's nice to really work on the big chamber pieces: Brahms quintet, Messiaen quartet, etc. If you get the chance to play these outside of school, rehearsal time will be short, players will have other things to practice, etc. But in school, you can get a serious group together and study these pieces for months. Other than that, the masters is a good time to make connections: as your friends start getting gigs, things may trickle down to you.

If you do plan on getting a doctorate, you can also use the masters as a prep stage. Doctoral committees want to see good grades in serious classes, polished writing samples (usually with grades), and a variety of performance activities (new music, old music, orchestra, chamber, etc). So don't blow off your coursework and just practice if you plan on getting the DMA.

When it comes time to apply for college teaching gigs, the more stuff you can do the better. A lot of positions are for clarinet/saxophone, clarinet/music theory, and so forth. So if you have experience teaching any of these things at the college level, you'll be in a much better position. Try to get some assistantships in your school's musicology or theory departments and get as much clarinet teaching experience as possible--if you have a private studio that's great, but college level teaching is better.

I guess in short, try to plan what you'd like your CV to look like in 5 years and 10 years; use your degrees to begin filling in the gaps between where you're at now and where you'd like to be.



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 Re: Master's Advice
Author: KenJarczyk 
Date:   2016-04-21 00:29

Short bit of a tip, actually - I'm certain you're on Facebook. Look up and "friend" Anton Weinberg. He's the retired principal Clarinet - London Symphony. He loves to help all, and is usually 100% spot-on. Golden Advice! Plus there is a group to join, I believe it is called "Friends who like Professor and distinguished Teacher, Anton Weinberg."

Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo

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 Re: Master's Advice
Author: Ken Shaw 2017
Date:   2016-04-21 01:50

Betty -

You must do everything you mention. You give your life to the clarinet and work your tail off 100% of the time.

For an example, look at John Moses's site http://www.johnmosesclarinet.com/.

Ken Shaw

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 Re: Master's Advice
Author: Ed Palanker 
Date:   2016-04-23 17:04

My best advise, follow your dream. If you don't have to worry about money you're one of the lucky ones because making a living in the music business is a tough gig. Even college teaching is so competitive now that there are so many players with DMA degrees that getting a doctorate is hardly a guarantee of getting a college job. Branch out as much as possible, master the clarinet family and as many different styles of music as you have talent for and study with the best teachers at the finest schools you can get into.

ESP eddiesclarinet.com

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