Author: cjwright
Date: 2006-10-20 23:34
Although I'm not quite as pessimistic as Oboecat, I do add merit to his/her words. When I attended New England Conservatory, there were only four of us incoming freshman.
The schools you mentioned are pretty elite programs. The bigger schools, FSU amongst others, might let you play a bit. If you do decide to attend a big school, the person who mentioned "attending college as an undeclared major" had it right. The only two frosh classes you'd really be missing out AS a freshman would be freshman music history and freshman theory. You'd probably be able to even play in a lower band, which you'd be doing anyways if you entered as a music major since you've only been playing for some 2 years.
I think you really need to evaluate why you want to major in performance. If it's for a job, and to make your career out of music, then know that it will be a very long climb up a steep hill. For us oboists who have a good head start on you, there are still many hurdles we are trying to jump over in order to get that illusive position. This is not to say you are not God's gift to Oboe and that you will become the next Katherine Needleman (didn't she start oboe at like 15 or something?), but this is a rare exception, if not the only I've ever heard of.
If you simply want to major in performance for the fun of it, that's fine too. Just be prepared to go back for a second Bachelor's degree in something more practical at a later time. God knows how many flute players there are flipping burgers and trying to fit in two hours of practice a day. As my former oboe teacher at Interlochen once said, "You know how to prepare your students to win jobs in orchestras. How do you prepare them NOT to win a job?"
In summary, if you must, then do it. Just be prepared for the consequences later. Many have tried, and many have failed. But few have achieved their dreams.
Edit: Oboecat is right: 100% go to the audition. Try to take a lesson with the person beforehand. You might spend a good amount of money, but this is FOUR years of your life, and will save you a lot of time and heartbreak. You might not even LIKE how the professor sounds. If the professor gets to meet you and even work with you a bit, you'll have a much better chance at getting in.
Blog, An Oboe In Paradise
Solo Oboe, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra
Post Edited (2006-10-20 23:38)
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