 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: dadohead
Date: 2005-08-30 19:15
Hello,
My son, a sophomore in HS, is interested in majoring in music in college. His clarinet teacher has ver strong opinions as to what school he should attend; in fact, there's only one... the one she went to.
While I'm sure it's a fine school, I'm sure there are others. Can anyone suggest other top-notch schools in the US that he should consider? He's leaning towards majoring in performance or composition.
Someplace with a strong bass clarinet program would be a big plus, he's very fond of the bass!
And, a followup question... Which members of the clarinet family is a clarinet major expected to own? His teacher (she of the strong opinions) wants him to have one of each before he goes off to school. It seems unlikely to me that every clarinet student is expected to have $25k worth of instruments on the first day of class!
Thanks!
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Author: D
Date: 2005-08-30 19:32
Sorry to be flipant, but just be really glad he didn't take up something like the violin.
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2005-08-30 19:47
There are a number of music schools where your son can receive very good clarinet instruction. The bass clarinet interest curtails that number rather severely. There is very strong bass clarinet instruction available at Northwestern, w/Lawrie Bloom, Cincinnati College-Conservatory w/Ron Aufmann and Cleveland Institute w/Linnea Nerein, for starters. Also DePaul w/John Bruce Yeh. (I'm too modest to mention that I'm on the adjuuct faculty at Catholic University).
There are plenty of clarinet majors who enter their fresman year with only a Bb clarinet! My suggestion, if he is seriously interested in bass clarinet, is that he own a pro-quality bass within his first couple of semesters. Having an excellent bass clarinetist (like any of above) guide him in choice and selection would be a major plus. And of course if an orchestral career is his goal he will want an A clarinet relatively soon, especially if he is accepted in his college's orchestra.
Larry Bocaner
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-08-30 19:53
Not sure which US music school has strong bass clarinet programs, but I believe the famous bass clarinet player Henri Bok teaches at a Dutch conservatory. You know there will be a strong bass emphasis there.
Having the Bb/A is pretty standard for clarinet majors. Then add a bass, an Eb, a C, a basset horn, as one’s wallet gets fatter hopefully through playing at gigs that have been made possible due to gradually owning more horns than just the Bb.
No one should spend $25k for these instruments combined. Unless they are bought brand new and top of the line. I am sure they are plenty of used instruments out there in excellent shape. Just takes patience and research.
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Author: dadohead
Date: 2005-08-30 19:59
Thanks for the info! If he decides not to focus on the bass, what would the A list look like?
He actually already has a bass clarinet (which, his teacher indicates, is "pro quality")... sort of backwards, I know. He saved his own money for a decent Bb instrument. I'd have preferred he waited until college to get some good advice about both of them, but there you have it.
Thanks!
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2005-08-30 20:50
I don't have the temerity to specify an "A list"-- there is a lot of quality teaching out there -- and some charlatanism, too! You have to make a decision whether he wants to go the "conservatory" route or attend a good university or liberal arts college with a strong music department. I'm sure there is very fine clarinet instruction available at any of the traditional big name conservatories (Juilliard, Curtis, Eastman, New England, Peabody etc). Some of the Universities that have produced fine clarinetists, besides the ones cited in my previous post include Michigan and Michigan State, Indiana, USC, Boston U., Maryland, Florida State, etc etc, etc.
Even though I am a conservatory grad (Juilliard) I'm not so sure that's the best route for every kid--I'm sometimes appalled at the watered-down academic content of most of the conservatory curricula; I've seen too many conservatory products who were terrific playing their instruments, but otherwise ill-prepared for life!
I would be suspicious of any private teacher who preaches that there is only one good music school, or that a young student needs a whole closetfull of instruments. Maybe you ought to seek a second opinion in your town.
PS: In my list of strong bass clarinet programs I forgot to mention Craig Nordstrom at Boston U. (he has a Northwestern bachelor's degree and a master's from Catholic U.)
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-08-30 21:09
"I would be suspicious of any private teacher who preaches that there is only one good music school, or that a young student needs a whole closetfull of instruments. Maybe you ought to seek a second opinion in your town."
I second that motion loudly! What kind of teacher thinks that their school is the only good one anywhere. That's just stupid.
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Author: dadohead
Date: 2005-08-31 12:17
I agree too, hence the question ;-)
This teacher is an excellent teacher, though, typically seating 1/3 of the top seats in our all-regional band and 3 or 4 in All-State. So it's worth putting up with the quirks, as long as I can get good advice from y'all to fill in the gaps! Thanks to all of you for your suggestions.
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Author: Markael
Date: 2005-08-31 13:07
Larry Bocaner said, "There is a lot of quality teaching out there -- and some charlatanism, too!"
Strong language.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-08-31 13:18
dadohead wrote:
> This teacher is an excellent teacher, though, typically seating
> 1/3 of the top seats in our all-regional band and 3 or 4 in
> All-State.
That, unfortunately, is not necessarily a prerequisite of a good teacher.
I have personal knowledge of teachers who hold the musical growth of students back so they'll place well at in school/state bands, and then use the result as an advertisement for themselves.
If you visited Interlochen Arts Academy and listened to the clarinet section you'd know that any one of them could make all-state, but, at least to my knowledge, they don't compete at the state level. The instructor just works with them to expand their knowledge as far as it can go ... and most of the students end up playing repertoire with the requisite skills at 18 years old that many students don't or can't attempt until their early 20s.
Without knowing your teacher I can't say what is happening, but it would be a good idea to get a "second opinion", just like you would before a doctor performed an operation.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-08-31 19:49
I've gotten a whole lot of help from Prof Shannon Thompson at Western Carolina University. Dr. Thompson plays bass clarinetist in the Ashland symphony and is the principle in the Hendersonville orchestra.
http://www.wcu.edu/as/music/index_files/page0036.htm
I looks like the students have a lot of fun there; and her curriculum looks solid (to me).
________________________________
Also, the head of the music dept at Brigham Young is a clarinetist; and at least 4 members of the faculty play clarinet.
___________________________
Bob Phillips
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-08-31 20:10
Oh, gosh,
I just went to Dr. Thompson's site and downloaded some of her playing!
http://www3.wcu.edu/~thompson/av.htm
WOW
Bob Phillips
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-08-31 20:36
I know nothing about music schools in the USA but I can tell you it's very silly to think a music student should own the entire clarinet family. In my country almost no clarinet student owns anything but a Bb clarinet.
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2005-09-01 01:05
There is some very good advice here and some nonsense. Common sense should tell you who knows what they are talking about.
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Author: gdubac
Date: 2005-09-02 11:08
At this time of year, you can visit a NACAC Performing Arts College Fair and get basic information about majoring in music performance, clarinet faculty, etc., at many different schools at the same time. There is a link to the website on the homepage to this website. The link is on the right side towards the bottom of the page.
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