For Parents: Thoughts on Choosing a Music School and Majoring in Music
Choosing a college can be both a stressful and exciting milestone in a student’s life as they are about to embark on their first adventure away from home. Music is an amazing profession because it consists of world-class musicians performing for people coming to hear and be changed by great music. I chose to be a musician because I fell in love with music from the first time I picked up a pair of sticks. My true inspiration came from my percussion teachers in the Atlanta Symphony and from my sister with special needs. My teachers taught me the discipline, courage, and support I needed to pursue a career in a highly competitive field. My sister taught me that no matter what disabilities and challenges people have in life, music can have beneficial effects on people. If your student is considering or interested in a career in music, I will share some thoughts on approaching the college decision process.
A Perspective on Choosing a School
My parents told me I should feel it in my bones when I was on the campus, and that’s what I felt when I visited and auditioned at NEC. There’s a combination of factors at play: teachers, percussion studio, level of the school, amount of scholarship, city, and social and living circumstances. Money will be an important informant, but the teachers and level of the studio should be the priority. They need to go somewhere where the percussionists are getting employed in orchestras, are getting gigs as drummers, or jobs as teachers.
Is a Conservatory or University Best for My Student?
Would your student thrive in a highly-focused environment based solely on music? Would they fit in a competitively-driven environment or in a more supportive one? Do they want to take academic classes at a major university or focus on liberal arts at a conservatory, and do they want to live in a major city or on a college campus? These are the type of questions to consider when choosing schools. Some students want to pursue double majors in music and another field, and some conservatories even have partnerships with academic schools, like Harvard or Tufts-NEC and Columbia-Juilliard.
Tips on Guiding Your Student Through the Process
Here’s a checklist of tips to guide the college decision process:
Visit the school junior year, and if possible, take lessons with the teachers.
Talk to current students to get a feel of the program and what it’s like to live there.
Ask about the studio’s success in auditions and job placement.
Visit the facilities and see if they have enough and adequate practice rooms and equipment.
Hear ensembles play when you visit and go to a class if offered.
I cannot stress enough to visit the school to get a feel for what it is like to be there, and if possible, do this before auditioning. Audition days are stressful, and to get a sense of the true environment of the school, it’s best to go when normal ensembles and classes are in session. Talking with current students will also give perspective on what students really experience when they go there. Are they happy? Do they like their teacher and feel comfortable in their studio? Are the ensembles and classes high-level, and most importantly, who is coming out of there and getting jobs? Make sure there are enough instruments and practice rooms at the school because some schools have better situations than others. If possible, attend a concert at the school or in the city, and go to a rehearsal or a class.
My Experience Studying at a Conservatory
Music is about collaboration, connection, and communication with other people, and it benefits both the musicians performing and the listeners coming to experience music. My teacher has been the greatest part of my education at NEC, and he guides me in my technical development, my musicianship, my attitude to taking auditions, performing, and having a balanced attitude in living life. During the summers, I have been able to attend the Aspen Music Festival in CO, performing concerts every week, studying with percussionists in major American orchestras, and hiking the Rocky Mountains. While being at a school full of highly-focused and talented musicians like myself can seem intimidating at first, being a part of the arts and music community is both inspiring and joyful in being able to come together to create meaningful art.
The Process of Auditioning for Music School
The Audition
Now that they have visited the school or are visiting it now for the audition, the most important part of their college acceptance is how they play that day. It can seem nerve-wracking knowing a 20 minute audition determines their next 4 years, but this is why their preparation and practice is so important. Encourage them to know that there is so much out of their control: the amount of spots, whether they are accepting more undergrads or grad students, who else shows up and how they play. All the student can do is focus on preparing and showcasing their best work, and if they have the outlook of enjoying what they’re doing, they will probably end up doing well!
High School
Even though grades are important, it is better for them to get B’s and practice more than spend time learning subjects that will have no influence on their career. If they are applying to universities, they will want to have solid grades and test scores, but even then, their audition will determine their acceptance, not their grades. It can be difficult to balance school work with flying around the country to audition, so remember to tell them the priority is their auditions and to not worry about school grades. As long as they graduate that is what counts!
Essays
Believe it or not, essays had more of an impact on determining college acceptance for musicians than I had thought. Most kids will come in and play something well, but the students that write clear and compelling essays stand out to committees. Teachers are looking for intelligent, motivated players in addition to finding the best talent, and I had some teachers tell me what they remembered about me most was my essay and what I had to say beyond my playing.
Good Luck
I hope that this information serves as a useful guide in helping your student through the college decision process and that it gives some insights about music as a career!