Beginner violinist

<p>I've been taking violin lessons for about 6 months. I'm 16, late to start, but I'm progressing quickly, I practice like mad and have a natural inclination to music... for example, when I first began lessons, my teacher commented that my intonation was perfect.</p>

<p>I'm seriously considering majoring in music, but I want to get some advice first... what is involved in a major for violin? Coursework, etc.<br>
What scholarship options are available? I know they vary from college to college but a general idea would be nice.<br>
How much do SAT scores weigh in on admission for music majors? (meaning, do colleges depend more on your skill as a musician or on other acedemic abilities when considering admission.)
What options are available career-wise for a music major?
Is it important to be proficient in more than 2 instruments for college and career? (like violin, viola and piano as opposed to just violin and viola)
And... the ultimate question... is it possible to be good enough within the timeframe I have with adequate determination and focus? </p>

<p>Any advice would be immensely appreciated! Thanks,
Lacy</p>

<p>I forgot to add another question... what things should I be getting involved in musically to prepare for college if I choose a music major in violin? Any reccommendations?</p>

<p>Lacy - many of your questions can be answered by browsing the threads on this music forum. The thing that is hardest for anybody to do is to judge someone else's talent or prospects based on an anonymous on-line forum. That is where your teacher really needs to be your guide.</p>

<p>I have dug up a few threads that I think might be of interest to you, and linked them here at the end of my post. There are plenty more. I will also take a stab at answering a few of your questions.</p>

<ol>
<li> You can major in music in several ways. As a performance major you will pretty much do all music all the time, studying theory, ear training, music history, and various ensemble requirements, as well as private lessons. You will also need to study piano to achieve at least a basic proficiency. Some knowledge of piano in advance is worthwhile. You do not have to know any other instrument. Within the music performance major, there are various degrees - BM, BA, BFA - which have slightly different requirements.</li>
</ol>

<p>You can also study music education, music history, and other music related fields. These fields require a lower proficiency on your instrument. Music education will teach you to have a working knowledge of other instruments, but you do not have to know them already when you apply.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>You are starting late on a very competitive instrument. My D has played violin since she was 6, and repeatedly gets told what a wonderful ear she has. She is quite proficient and has studied with some top instructors in two countries. She could probably get into an LAC or University as a music major. I do not believe she would get into a conservatory. There are a number of schools where music majors do not have to audition; that might be an option for you. The key thing you will learn is to find a school that has a teacher you work well with, and who can take you to new heights. If you want performance, you will probably be looking at working hard as an undergrad at a less-popular music program, then aiming higher for graduate school. </p></li>
<li><p>Scholarship options are limited. If you go to a school that has a good string program, then you will have a ton of competition. If you chose a school that is desperate for strings, there may be a reason for that, that is not to your advantage.</p></li>
<li><p>SAT scores. Pure conservatories do not care. At other schools, a lower SAT will not keep a talented student out, unless there are other equally talented kids with higher scores. I guess you could look at it as a tie-breaker. A rock-bottom SAT, though, will hurt you, as music is considered a cerebral activity, so schools expect you to be a "little bit smart."</p></li>
<li><p>What to do to prepare now? What year are you - junior? Start looking at colleges within the financial range and SAT range that you fit, and find out which of them have music majors. Contact the music departments there and arrange trial lessons with teachers, to find teachers that you like. Listen to what they have to say - if they welcome your application, or suggest that you aren't ready for their school. Look up the audition requirements online, and see if they are reachable for you. Start practicing them now - 2 years is not too soon.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>The first thing you can do is read these threads:</p>

<p>Music Major:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=205493%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=205493&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Juilliard thread - has some practical advice for a late starter:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=191841%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=191841&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Conservatories - discusses what schools are looking for:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=198234%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=198234&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Jobs:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=169970%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=169970&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Planning for the college audition -- This thread really needs to stay up front:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=146386%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=146386&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>hey. I am not a violin player nor a college student. I am a high school student (to be senior) who will be auditioning for colleges in the winter. But i can definately answer some of your questions, especially because i decided n majoring in music pretty late...last summer (in to junior year). However i have been playing the piano quite a while. Overall, I think you should talk to your teacher about considering majoring in music. </p>

<p>You don't have to major in violin performance. Instead you have many options. You can major in music education, composition, music industry, music history, music theory, and etc. Whether you major in performance, education, composition or any of the other majors...you need to reach a certain level of playing your primary instrument, in your case the violin. In fact when you audition for a college or conservatory as a non-performance major (music education, composition, etc) ...they could require a recording and live audition having you play 3 or 4 songs. </p>

<p>SAT scores and GPA...honestly, i emailed and did a lot of research about this. If your gpa is like under 3.0...chances to be admmited into university are slim. For example when i went to a ucla music department information meeting, they said unless a student is amazing, a 3.3 gpa student will not be accepted. But keep in mind UCLA is really competetive in academics. I would say try to maintain a gpa higher than 3.0 and SAT score of 1750, 1800, or higher. If you want to go to a conservatory, they are usually more leniant on grades and sat scores, infact some don't even require sats! The number one thing is your audition. the 10-15 minutes you play for the professors is crucial. Therefore...unless your grades are not that great, you should just practice and get ready for the audition. Unfortuantely i am personally having a hard time deciding my senior year classes...since that's when everyone is cramming practices like crazy before january and february hits (audition season). </p>

<p>Careers: you can be a private teacher, teacher at secondary school, professor, composer, producer, music therapist, conductor, film music, and more. It is very helpful, if not required by college, to learn piano, if you plan on majoring in education or composition...and i'm sure other majors as well.</p>

<p>Again, ask your teacher about majoring in music. Also if you don't feel like you are ready...you can always go to a less known or state/community college for undergrad and take time to practice even more then...and transfer or wait till graduate school. Graduate school is considered more important than undergrad. But it all depends how far you want to take you musical career. Oh yea...last thing, you should try to be active in your school's orchestra, or community/city orchestra.</p>

<p>I hope i helped a lot.</p>