 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rkclarinet
Date: 2012-09-08 03:36
I just graduated from a great university. I am currently preparing for graduate auditions. I am constantly thinking, how will I get a scholarship or an assistantship position.
I work 40 hours a week right now, and on the side I am also teaching clarinet lessons. The biggest reason I want to get my masters, is so that I can eventually have a huge studio, and that becomes my full time job. I would also like the opportunity to perform in a collegiate group.
Is that a good enough reason to get your masters? I want to become more knowledgeable thus making me have more creditably as a teacher.
A little bit about my playing history...I have only been playing the soprano clarinet for 3 years. I have however been playing the bass clarinet for 9 years, previous to the soprano. I can't afford a bass clarinet right now so I am only auditioning on the soprano. I have made a TON of improvement on the soprano.
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Author: Buster
Date: 2012-09-08 06:10
"Is that a good enough reason to get your masters?"
Yes, I suppose so.............
But if you're asking do you really need an answer?
-Jason
Post Edited (2012-09-08 14:31)
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2012-09-08 12:13
"Is that a good enough reason to get my masters?" I don't know if that's the correct question. "Is that a good enough reason to incur $20-40,000 in student loans, while not studying something that might hold the promise of some kind of financial security (what ever that is in 2012)
You only have a short time in life where you have the time and possibly the finances to try to set yourself up in life and every young person want to follow their passion. Playing the clarinet is fun! I've been playing professionally since age 9, spent 20 years playing in a premier military band, retired and now play and teach extensively. The world of live music, symphonic and or commercial is shrinking, even military bands have under gone major budget cuts over the last 40 years. College teaching jobs are very hard to get, unless you're the principal player in a town that still has a major or minor or half diminished orchestra, and are abd on your doctorate. Even then if you're lucky enough to even get a shot at a college teaching gig, it most likely will be as a "adjunct" position with out benefits or tenure.
The difficult part for you right now is that schools and teachers will be very encouraging ( teachers have studios to maintain and everyone wants their departments full of paying customers) So you might even be offered a scholarship, $ 5-7K off your $20,000 tuition, think of this as a "discount". It will have you thinking that one school "believes" in you more than another.
In my tenure at the US Army Field Band, part of my job was to audition clarinetist for the Field Band and sometime other army bands. I was amazed at some of the amazingly talented clarinet players that I heard and in some cases hired. But I was also amazed that how some people could show up to an audition $80-100,000 in debt on student loans (studying with famous teachers at prestigious schools) and not even demonstrate basic skills on a first round, behind the screen audition. How any teacher could let someone get that far without holding a mirror up to them so they could see where they were in the cosmic scheme of things is unforgivable and grounds for what should be called teacher malpractice.
So here is my advice, If you audition for a school and they give you a 100% scholarship, and they have a really great private teacher. Go for it. That school and teacher are seeing something special in your playing. But chances are that they won't (full scholarships go to violin and viola players, because the only way to get a clarinetist to really pay full tuition is to have an orchestra for them to not get into till their Sr. year) Other wise consider what it is you like about music, the skill set you use, the things about it that makes you practice, and look into other fields that would make good use of those skills.
Tom Puwalski, former principal clarinetist of the U.S Army Filed Band, Author of the Clarinetist's Guide to Klezmer and Klezmer Basic Training (new) and owner of <www.clarinetgoumet>
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2012-09-08 13:04
I agree with Tom 100%.
As one who does some private teaching, I've found that most parents really don't care how many degrees you have. A music degree is a real plus, as is teaching experience. If you have performance experience, it's also helpful, even if it's in the local community band. If you point out that you studied with famous performer/teachers A, B, and C and that you have a masters in performance from University X, you might impress a few people, but most who come to study with you won't really care.
If you want to further your clarinet playing, why not contact a local professional, especially if there is a major symphony orchestra in your area.
The lessons might not be cheap, but you'll spend much less than you would on a masters degree in performance.
Do you play sax? If not, buy one, learn it, and possibly take some lessons. I teach both, although I don't teach sax to those who play at advanced levels.
It's very common for teachers to teach both, and you'll definitely have more students if you do.
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Author: Donald Casadonte
Date: 2012-09-08 15:11
"Is that a good enough reason to get your masters? I want to become more knowledgeable thus making me have more creditably as a teacher."
In what sense of knowledgeable? When I was doing my doctoral work I took a class in woodwind repertoire. We had to write a paper for the final project for the end of the Fall term. I wrote an imagined radio interview on some historical topic. When we came back after Christmas break, every single student except me was told they had to resubmit their paper. The reason? They had done nothing but play the instrument and never learned how to write a decent academic paper. I came out of musicology and had already written a highly technical 200 page thesis. Learn how to write well.
Also, take music history courses. It will help you to interprete what you play in context. It also wouldn't hurt to take some science courses, especially acoustics and digital signal processing.
My advice, borne of hard experience, is that any humanities program, but especially music, is a good way to go into debt, fast. It is nice to play in a college group, but that will only last for a few years. Then what? Teaching, by itself, will not satisfy you. I live in a town with about five community bands and I usually can show up for the dress rehearsal and play the concert. As you become more technically proficient, your expectations also rise. Finally, a group of like-minded professionals and semi-professional musicians started a group here that meets once a month to play college-level and professional band music. It is hard for many talented musicians to find challenging places to play.
By all means, go to graduate school, but keep your eyes wide open for what you are getting into.
Donald Casadonte
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Author: C.Elizabeth07
Date: 2012-09-08 15:11
I do agree with Tom. However, it is possible. I am 24 but I have had a very successful 3 years free-lancing and teaching privately. I was booked solid with theater gigs (I'm a doubler), occasional recording stuff for some small funk bands around the area, church gigs, weddings and subbing for a small symphony orchestra. I also maintained a studio of over 40 students. For all of these things the degree doesn't matter. But your marketing, networking, professionalism and musical skills do.
You need to be able to market yourself, and put yourself out there and meet people. I would go to open mic nights or bars with live music and afterwards walk up to the band and say "Hey, I'm a musician I toured with a rock orchestra for a while, if you ever need a sax player or something here's my business card. I'd love to jam with you guys". I participated in tons of small music festivals, notified school districts that I was available for lessons, took lessons with tons of other older free-lancers in the area, its a great way to schmooze and get your foot in the door with people. There are opportunities out there, but you have to take an aggressive approach and pave the way for yourself... and then you have to maintain that path. When you do get a gig, get there an hour early ( I do and usually sit in my car until a half hour or so before). Be easy to work with, if someone says to do something, just do it. And check the ego at the door... people would rather work with someone who is easy to get along with. And keep in touch with EVERYONE you meet.
Even with a crazy work/teaching schedule you can get through your grad auditions.I just recently did it.. I just finished my first week of grad school. Its just going to be rough. Start the literature early. Pick your schools you want to apply/audition for early. Figure out the requirements early. Its all about getting an early start so you can work slowly and pace yourself.
And my personal opinion in regards to the soprano vs bass clarinet... if you have more experience on bass I would probably invest in it. I had a set of clarinets stolen and I couldn't afford to replace them, but I took out a loan and picked out a new set and replaced my stolen equiptment (my insurance company flaked on me). I'm still paying them off... but its what I do for a living and worth the money.
The question is what are you looking to get out of grad school and how can it help you to achieve what your goals are.
Where did you do your undergrad? and where are you thinking you would like to go for grad school? what do you want to do your Masters in?
Post Edited (2012-09-08 15:35)
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2012-09-08 18:43
I think if you can get an assistantship, go for it. Part of grad school is what i think of as beyond the playing training (I'm seeing this now especially at the DMA level, and wish I spent more time doing this in my masters). If you do go for the masters, try to take classes in pedagogy and talk with your teacher about focusing your lessons not only on playing, but on how to teach. Take that time to observe other teachers lessons (not just clarinet, but other instruments as well). If you want to teach privately (which in Texas, I heard that there's a much better private teaching economy...) learning how to teach and different methods of teaching is key to your development.
I hope this is useful advise to you!
Ron
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: rkclarinet
Date: 2012-09-09 00:11
All of your insights were fantastic. It puts things into perspective! I am going to continue and prepare for my maters. I am cutting my hours at work so I can stay focused- and prepare...
I do have a small studio right now, I am looking to enlarge it. I love teaching privately. My bachelors is in music education, I want to get my masters in music performance. I completely agree that it would be horrific to pay for my masters, the goal is to get an assistantship or some sort of grant/scholarship.
I do agree that most teachers ask me "Do you play saxophone?," and the answer is that I do- I am just not the best. I want my primary focus to be on the clarinet/bass and I want to learn how to play the Eb.
I graduated from UNT this passed May. I am considering auditioning at LSU, TCU, UNT, U of H, UT and I am looking into some school's out of state. If any of you have suggestions on school's that would also be great! I figure the more school's I audition at the better opportunity I have at gaining an assistantship spot or scholarship.
Again, thank you all for responding! This actually gave me ideas, and excited me. Nothing discouraged me- all interesting, and truthful! Thank you.
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Author: C.Elizabeth07
Date: 2012-09-09 04:58
I'm at McGill University in Montreal. If you don't mind jumping through all the
"international student" hoops then I would recommend that. My tuition is extremely reasonable compared to the states (14,000 a year) and the city is very affordable to live in. I have a 2 bedroom apt that I share w. a friend and its 500 a month each (but it includes utilities).
You can do it and it is possible, but its not an easy path you really have to be self motivated and aggressive in your approach for your career. Two great books that really lit a fire for me are Beyond Talent and The Savvy Musician. I would try to get a hold of both of these. They are excellent resources for marketing yourself as a musician/teacher.
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