Hi, My son is only 13, but already planning his adult life out. Having watched his older sibs get into school debt, he’s hoping to use his cello ability to win scholarships. The only thing is, I know nothing about this and have no answers for him. I don’t even know what I don’t know, lol
Does anyone know if my son MUST play in an ensemble or orchestra if awarded a scholarship/s? It seems like a no-brainer, but I just have to make sure. Also, if he’s not principal cellist, but a very talented (perfect pitch, excellent intonation) one who participates enough in the basics, and has taken private lessons since age 6, does he have a chance?
I sure appreciate any input because we’re shelling out $27/lesson and he’s only continuing “to get scholarships.” Yes, I would be sad to see him stop if it doesn’t add up, but I don’t want that to be the only reason he plays. He wants to stop, but this is keeping him from it.
If he already wants to stop at 13, it doesn’t sound like he wants to prepare 5 more years before college. And then 4 more years intensively as a music performance major in college.
If he is only continuing to get scholarships…you might want to help him find another activity.
My son was a music performance major. He was required to play in at least one ensemble per term…at least one (he often played in two or more) for all four years. Same for grad school.
My daughter was not a music major, but did receive a small performance award for playing in her college orchestra. That $750 a year scholarship (yep…that was the amount) was contingent on her playing in the college orchestra. In addition, she also got free instrument lessons.
I will tell you…we paid far more in instrument lessons, instruments, youth orchestra dues, summer music camps, ensemble clothing, ensemble trips, etc…than our kids got in scholarships…and our son had a very very good scholarship from his school.
Our kids started lessons in second grade. Weekly…on two instruments.
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My son is only 13, but already planning his adult life out. Having watched his older sibs get into school debt, he’s hoping to use his cello ability to win scholarships.
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Unless he’s planning on being a music performance major, and auditioning, I think he may be making a mistake.
Sounds like he’d have better success at getting large merit scholarships if he has top grades and top test scores.
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Does anyone know if my son MUST play in an ensemble or orchestra if awarded a scholarship/s? It seems like a no-brainer, but I just have to make sure.
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A school isn’t going to award him a cello scholarship if he’s not going to play at the school. The school isn’t paying him based on what he did in HS. They’d be paying him for what he’s going to do at the college.
There are scholarships for music performance majors, for examples, at UMich. To get admitted, you need to be a good musician. That means you likely be the section leader in the highest level of orchestra at your school. To a scholarship, you need to be really outstanding. I happen to know a cello major student that received a moderate amount of scholarship ($10000/year). I also know former viola major received full scholarships. Both are even international students. Audition is key factor for admission and music scholarship. If your son is not even interested in participating ensemble and orchestra, he is not likely to be a music performance major. Some schools like Purdue would offer small scholarships to non-music major if you participate in their matching band or orchestra. Those small scholarships would not help much in reducing debt.
My D started piano at 5yo (plus another instrument since grade 5) and won a state level award, she did receive the small scholarship offer for non-music major at Purdue but nothing music related from any other school as she is not a music major.
My son received a music scholarship and was not a music major. He was required to play in the symphony orchestra, the chamber orchestra and a string quartet. He was also expected to demonstrate leadership. He was offered this scholarship because he was a strong performer at a not-so-great music program. However, he did not enjoy playing in these ensembles because they were not challenging. Just something to keep in mind.
My daughter received a small $750 a year music scholarship as a non-major, plus free instrument lessons for all four years. She was required to play in the orchestra to maintain this award. She found playing was relaxing and looked forward to both her lessons and orchestra rehearsals (which btw were twice weekly, in the evening, for two hours each rehearsal). Her college orchestra wasn’t the NY Phil but she still enjoyed it, and really liked her teacher and orchestra conductor.
But, as you can see…it was a time commitment on her part…four hours of rehearsal a week, plus a 45 minute private lesson, plus practice time.
If your son is only doing this because he wants scholarship money, but really doesn’t like the instrument…I would suggest he reconsider.
NOW…having said all that…he is 13. Have him continue with his HS ensembles, and see what he thinks after 10th grade. 13 year olds really aren’t good predictors of what they might or might not like by the time they graduate from HS.
It sounds like your son may want to stop cello in order to do other things? I would encourage explore other activities, but keep playing and studying cello if possible. Is son in a youth orchestra?
My DDs had multi instrument exposure - one had piano and two wind instruments, and older DD piano and one brass wind instrument. However we had academics first, music second and sports third. Both were in other sports earlier in life, and played volleyball through 8th/9th. They both have academic scholarships (non-music) and some money to be in marching and concert band - both attending different state universities.
Depending on what state you are in and how well your son’s academic preparation is (not only exposure with school and EC but how much he focuses his time and energy) - will give an indication on his GPA and standardized testing. Then what he wants to study for UG degree.
You didn’t indicate what caused older sibling school debt.
Since your son has been taking lessons since age 6 (and sounds like he has talent) it would be sad to see him stop only to later regret. One DD didn’t have much time for piano lesson due to the other music EC and stopped after year 10, however continued taking wind instrument lessons.
The scholarship money or stipend money for playing an instrument during college (w/o majoring in music) does help a student continue to be playing their instrument and building their music skills, while also hopefully getting enjoyment out of playing. Music also does use various brain areas that dove-tail with other academics.
Have a heart to heart talk with your son to see why he wants to stop. Is he getting teased at school? One year in youth orchestra, DD was the only one on her instrument, while the previous year she had a great comrade.
I’m concerned that the son thinks that just having his cello experiences on his resume, w/o intending to be a performance major, is going to win him big scholarships. Schools have no incentive to hand over big $$ to a student who played an instrument, but has no intention in majoring. As noted here, if you want to major in something else and play ensembles and orchestras, then you can get a small award.
Many kids play instruments. Its just another activity like soccer. If he is already a well known performer, then maybe he will win a spot at Berklee SOM or IU Jacobs on scholarship. Remember even those kids leave school unable to support themselves. Actually, those schools pump out many who graduate unable to support themselves in music. They do make great baristas, though. He is in a great position to concentrate on winning an academic scholarship instead. With that he can do anything. Follow momof2collegekids advice on merit scholarships, she is the best. The top schools are filled with kids who played an instrument at Carnegie Hall but are studying something else entirely. Sometimes they even bring their instrument the first year. By the second year it gets left home.
If he keeps up with his instrument he might be able to get some occasional gigs while in college. My D hopes to get some occasional church and wedding gigs to help with spending money when she’s in college. She’s saving the money she’s earning from gigs now. So far she’s only done a few but those were all unsolicited. If she marketed herself with a web page and made an effort or if she joined an ensemble that regularly does weddings she’d have more work than she needs. She plans to continue with her instrument in college but won’t major in it. She will have to audition for the School of Music and they may offer some small scholarship. If they did I’m sure it wouldn’t be much and that it would require performances.
BTW you’re getting a deal on those lessons, we pay more than twice that, but a different instrument.
I think he should play the cello if he enjoys playing the cello. The best way for him to get scholarships is to do as well as he can in HS, take the most rigorous courses he can do well in, Do well on his standardized tests and apply to schools that he is going to be near the top at. If he chooses to he can play the cello in his college orchestra and it might get him a small music scholarship somewhere. If not it will give him something to do in college that he would supposedly enjoy.
For Purdue, I think they offered my D $1000 for participating in the orchestra as a non-music major. She did not take it as she is attending another school.