<p>First of all I am a Sophomore in High School, and I am considering majoring in bassoon performance. I started playing bassoon in seventh grade and I also play saxophone, piano, and sousaphone in marching band, however most all of my time goes into bassoon. I'll give a list of my accomplishments thus far as well as some background information to give an idea of where I'm at, and then I'll ask my questions. </p>
<p>Firstly, I am happily a member of what is one of the best high school music programs in the state (I am from Iowa if that matters) and I have great support from both band directors and my parents. I have been receiving private lessons for a while now which has helped tremendously, and I finally feel like I have a good grasp on the instrument (Proper tone, intonation, technique, etc.). I've applied to multiple instate honor bands, and I was accepted to the All-State Honor Band which is in two and a half weeks. I was also the only Sophomore Bassoonist, and instrumentalist from my school, accepted. Like I said I feel like I'm starting to really understand the instrument. I practice a minimum of two and three hours a day, outside of my two fifty minute band rehearsals and private lessons. I am also first chair in the local youth symphony. Now where I need help is knowing what my goals for the next three years should be to prepare for a competitive music school, and deciding what schools I want to apply for. I have decent grades, but not spectacular as I spend more time practicing than I usually do studying. I would guess that I will graduate with between a 3.5 and 3.7 GPA. </p>
<p>Firstly, what resources should I use to better myself as a musician? Anything to better my understanding of music theory would be wonderful. I have begun working on orchestral literature, and growing my list of repertoire. </p>
<p>Secondly, I need help deciding what schools I want to apply for. I'm leaning more toward conservatory study, but if there was an awesome opportunity at a normal college I would look into it. So what schools are the best for bassoon study? I'm willing to put in as much work to get into a great school, and continue doing what I love.</p>
<p>Sounds like you are doing everything you can to prepare yourself! What I don’t see in your description is any mention of a private teacher…if you are truly doing all of this without a private lessons beyond school, you should find someone near your home who can work with you one-on-one.</p>
<p>I did mention it in the second paragraph, but I appreciate it They really have helped a lot, and I recommend them to anyone that hasn’t yet taken them up and is serious about music. Luckily I live fairly close to a college with a great double reed instructor.</p>
<p>You sound like you’re on the right track. From my experience with my son, who at your age decided he wanted to pursue a career as a professional violinist, I would have you consider these opportunities: is there a community or regional orchestra that might have openings, even for sub positions? If so, you’d learn a lot of orchestra repertoire and perhaps connect with some people who could help you or inspire you, such as the conductor or another bassoonist. Also, if you’re from a smaller town, you need to find out what the level is in big cities, so you know what you’re up against. Lastly, are there some musicians in the youth orchestra who might like to form a woodwind quintet with you? </p>
<p>Good luck. You sound like you’re very mature for your age!</p>
<p>It’s great that you’re making sure that you are familiar with orchestral rep- and know that you’ll be getting much more of that, especially if you’re seriously considering a conservatory! Take a look a John Clouser (principal bassoon) and Barrick Stees (asst. principal) with the Cleveland Orchestra- they are the “bassoon” faculty at CIM. Having heard bassoonists all over the world, I can honestly say that these two are great and the importance of their connections in the orchestral world can’t be underestimated.</p>
<p>Get to music camps at the schools you hope to audition at, get to camps that the teachers you hope to audition for are working at. You want them familiar with you before you walk in to audition.</p>
<p>PV? Iowa City? Just curious where you’re from. S is a music major at DePaul-loves the access to the Chicago Symphony and the faculty at DePaul has some CSO members. If you are looking at music ed, most Iowans go to UNI for that. Go to the website of a school you might be interested in and look at the credentials of the bassoon faculty. That’s how my S picked his audition schools.</p>
<p>All Good Advice on here, confirming some and adding based on my son’s experience (now a sophomore on music scholarship to U of South Carolina):
Take Private Lessons, especially if you can connect to a professor or retired professor of your instrument
Find the Official Associations and “Boards” for your instrument. Many great musicians, music students and educators post and respond on them (example, my son is active on the “Trombone Forum” boards)
Contact the Professor of your Instrument at the colleges you are interested in before your senior year. Every single one we contacted offered up a “lesson” at no charge and provided feedback for him to get better, things to work on, audition advice, etc.
Summer programs are a great idea, many good ones across the country
Set up tours of the School of Music, these are separate from “campus tours” and you can usually ask a music student direct questions, etc.</p>
They really have helped a lot, and I recommend them to anyone that hasn’t yet taken them up and is serious about music. Luckily I live fairly close to a college with a great double reed instructor.</p>