 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MandyCarlsson
Date: 2011-06-21 08:02
HI again everyone,
Opinions wanted. I am 33 and heading back to school to major in Music Education. I have been playing clarinet for about 26 years (well, I had a 4 year "break" in playing). When I was younger, my dream was to be a music major, but I felt that it was not a practical path, so I ended up going to school for Geology. I have regretted my decision for going on 12 years now. :/ To top it off, I've never *used* my degree! I married, raised kiddos and held down pat-time jobs here and there. All of those calc. based science classes wasted! HA!
I now have the opportunity to go back to school! Needless to say, I am a bit nervous- mainly because of my age (gee, 33 does not seem all that old to me), but most of my peers will be 18-21. I would LOVE to hear some positive stories about non-traditional music majors.
Thanks!
Mandy
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2011-06-21 14:16
No, 33 is not old at all. Believe me.
I would encourage you not to think about years past, but about years to come. If I had had the courage of my convictions at your age, I would have been able to have had a music career spanning more than 30 years. That's almost as long as the total time you've lived so far.
So, think about it that way. If you had your current 33 years to live over (which you do, in a way), what would you do? Then DO it. Properly. Own it. Claim it. Go for it!
Susan
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Author: pewd
Date: 2011-06-21 14:31
33? I have unopened boxes of reeds older than that.
Go for it, follow your dreams.
"However vague they are, dreams have a way of concealing themselves and leave us no peace until they are translated into reality, like seeds germinating underground, sure to sprout in their search for the sunlight." Lin Yutang
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: William
Date: 2011-06-21 15:21
When I was in college and "only" 22, a clarinetist who had recently retired from the Washington US Navy Band came to our music school to work on his master's degree. He eventually earned his DMA and went on to teach clarinet at the college level. Although he was "old" by our standards, he had no problem keeping up with us or staying ahead of some of us. For him, "age" was not a consideration but rather, determination and focus on a goal. I would say, GO FOR IT and enjoy being among "the kids".
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2011-06-21 15:28
I taught at a university for several years where about 25% of the students were "non-traditional." Most had worked for a number of years in jobs they decided were a dead-end or, like you, they had been raising children who were now old enough not to need constant attention. I loved those students. Unlike the 18-21 year-olds, many of whom were in college simply because it was something to do after high school and who floated aimlessly through their courses, the "non-traditionals" knew why they were going to school. They had specific goals and the maturity, experience and work ethic to understand what they had to do to achieve those goals.
Unlike most of them, I would expect you will be starting out as at least a "heavy sophomore" after receiving transfer credit for work done in your previous degree. That should make the age difference even less of an issue. Enjoy the ride.
BTW, by my standards, you're still a youngster. I didn't start a music degree until I was in my 50's. Unfortunately, a hostile department chairman nipped it in the bud by scheduling me to teach at the same time as a course I needed that was only offered in alternate years. But that's another story.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: MartyMagnini
Date: 2011-06-21 16:55
Hello,
Your story sounds a lot like mine. I was an undergrad performance major, and after three years of school I went on the audition circuit. I made a few finals, but never got offered a playing position that would be a real full time job - just a few regional orchestras, and some subbing jobs with some pro orchestras. I was kind of burned out, so I left school and started my own business (nothing to do with music). Well, when I was in my mid 30's, I decided I wanted to go back to school to get my music ed. degree. It took a while, since I was a performance major previously, so I needed lots of ed classes, but I graduated when I was 36, and got my first teaching job right away. That was 17 years ago, and it was the best decision I ever made. I love my job, and like teaching more than I ever liked playing. I had a great relationship with the other students, and a better relationship with many of the professors than they did, since we were almost peers - as long as you go in with the right attitude, you'll be fine. I say go for it!
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2011-06-21 16:59
Due to life's circumstances I was 25 when I started college. Finished when I was 28. During my college days I was always a bit disappointed that I, too, was not the "normal" 19-22 college age.
Forty some, years later I would have to say that is pure nonsense. If I've learned nothing else, it's that age is relative. In my 70s now I think 33 is terribly young. Many of us would love to be your age and go back to school for something we dearly love.
Bottom line: Do it, and have fun doing it.
CarlT
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Author: clariniano
Date: 2011-06-21 17:15
I remember someone here mentioning they did their graduation recital at 40 years of age. I myself applied for an undergrad in music a few years ago (at about 27 years old), and was accepted with scholarships to all but one of the programs I applied to (the one that I wasn't had issues with people sending in my reference letters and my harmony portion of the written theory test) but then my husband lost his well-paying full-time school music teaching job and I didn't want to take out loans.
Some of you may know my story about the fact that my parents (especially my dad) didn't want me studying music, and I actually regret studying something that I was not passionate about. And more and more I see that they were wrong, because I've seen a number of positions I've had the skills for, but I didn't have a music degree. I was even offered a job at a really good music school here that pays teachers well, I was referred by a flute playing friend who works there and I have played with, but the deal breaker was my lack of music degree (despite getting great results with the students I have taught and having a portfolio of videos to show how well those I have taught play, many who started as beginners or major remedial cases.)
Meri
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Author: Brent
Date: 2011-06-21 17:37
The horn player in my quintet got married early, quit college and worked in construction for years to support his family, and decided to go back and finish his music ed degree while in his forties. He's been out and teaching for the last 5 years or so, and absolutely loves it. He has absolutely no regrets.
Old? Pfoo! Old is a destination, usually six feet under. Getting older is a journey, and i plan to enjoy it as long as i can.
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Author: MandyCarlsson
Date: 2011-06-21 19:07
Thank you all for your replies. I want to clarify that I do not consider myself "old"!  I suppose the prospect of being surrounded by younger students intimidates me a tad- and the age gap is one of the main reasons.
Reading the responses in this thread has made me feel very optimistic. You are RIGHT! All of you: life is just beginning!
My husband recently retired from the Army after serving 22 years. He is also going back to school (elementary education). We are both pursuing dreams that we have put off and, needless to say, we are both excited and apprehensive. I know that I am tired of "going with the flow", following the paths that have been laid out for us due to circumstances. I am ready to MAKE life happen for me and family- I feel that by pursuing our dreams we will be an inspiration to our own children.
We just moved back to my home town and I was dismayed to see that music education is literally floundering here. My son's middle school does not even have an orchestra due to lack of funding! When I attended the school, it had a terrific music program. I was curious, so I called the band teacher (brand new to teaching, only 23 yrs old) to inquire about a booster club and, lo and behold, there was none. We developed a plan to start one, sent letters home, formed a committee and began major fundraising efforts. Anyhow, long story short, my involvement with these kids has had a significant effect on me. I know how much of an impact music education can have on kids! I want to be a part of this!
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Author: clariniano
Date: 2011-06-21 21:12
Also maybe because of you being slightly older than the typical music major, they may call upon your wisdom and advice. In my case I can tell them not to sleep on potential musical opportunities that they can do, for example, the church my husband is music director at pays guest musicians who are studying music at the university level $75 for about an hour, and they don't even have to pick their most difficult music. Yet we see a number of advanced students/music major friends we have who missed out on their chances this year... And teach them about good and bad teaching gigs, since lately many people looking to hire a private teacher only want to offer $15-$20 for AN HOUR, when the standard fee here with a good teacher is 2 1/2 times that.
Meri
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Author: DNBoone
Date: 2011-06-22 00:57
I am one of the typical 19-22 year olds but I regularly talk to and spend time with the 'older' music ed majors. In fact, we don't really even look at them as such. Most times they are just another friend hanging out with us.
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