<p>I play the violin and absolutely love it and would love to go into career of performance. The only thing is I only started getting serious a couple years ago and am not nearly good enough to get into all-eastern or even all-state. Do you think its even possible for me to get into any music performance program? I also would consider music ed. How good do you actually need to be to be accepted into a music program?
thanks</p>
<p>There are many different music schools out there which accept students at all levels. The key thing for you to do now, especially if you are a junior in HS, is to get an accurate and unbiased evaluation of your skill level and a list of schools which would be suitable for you to apply to. Make contact with teachers at some of those schools and get a lesson with them. They will help you know if you want to attend their respective institutions and if you are a valid candidate. You should also seek a summer program that will help improve your skills, getting you ready for auditions next year.</p>
<p>Laured,</p>
<p>Contrary to the stereotype, most great musicians do not start out as prodigies. This is a stereotypical example, but Puccini started composing when he was 18. A more recent example is a tenor I saw at the Lyric Opera of Chicago the other night. He started singing when he was in his thirties and is now insanely famous.</p>
<p>Having studied at a conservatory, I can promise you that there are very few prodigies. If you are willing to put in the effort that music requires, even if you are not yet up to the level of those who have been studying much longer, you can get accepted into a very good music school.</p>
<p>Music education programs may be easier to get into at some schools, but there are drawbacks to being an ed major if you want to perform. Education majors have to take more general education classes in order to get certified. They also face an unfair bias in many schools.</p>
<p>Are you a junior or a senior? A lot of the deadlines will have passed if you are a senior. If you are a junior, start looking at colleges now. Practice as much as you are able.</p>
<p>If you have been playing for a "couple [of] years", chances are you are pretty good. Don't downplay your ability; be confident. There is a music school out there who wants a student like you.</p>
<p>My son, although he started playing trumpet in 5th grade, only got serious his junior year in high school. Before that he practiced only a minimum amount and did think he would make a career of it. Youth orchestra changed his mind. He started really working at music, and enjoying it, and he is now at Indiana University. Although he entered as the "worst freshman trumpet player" (according to his teacher), he also improved the most his freshman year (also according to his teacher) and is dedicated to becoming a fulltime musician. Yes, it is possible for latebloomers to make it. (In fact, there was a thread on late bloomers a while back, although that focused more on trumpet.)</p>
<p>If it's what you really want, there is a college out there that will want you. Good luck!</p>
<p>this post caught my eye because my DS tubaboy is in a similar boat (non prodigy or late bloomer, depending on your point of view).</p>
<p>Any suggestions for "safety" schools (i.e. good quality reputable music programs, which would be interested in nonprodigies with a true passion for music). We have some good music programs in our state schools, but they are geared to music ed and he isn't interested in being a music teacher. He wants to do electronic music/composition.</p>
<p>Tubamom, at the risk of sounding like a shill for my daughter's school, your son might want to contact the music department of Otterbein. Academically, they're a "sure bet" for most CCers, but my daughter has been quite impressed with the quality of instruction she has been receiving. Otterbein currently offers a BA, BM and music ed degree through the department, and they are expanding their offerings in the near future...I believe composition will be one of the new areas. Dr. Johnson is the chair of the music department, and I have no doubt he would respond to an e-mail from your son...the approachability of the music professors is one of the things that sold my daughter on Otterbein. The link to the music department webpage is: <a href="http://www.otterbein.edu/Music/%5B/url%5D">http://www.otterbein.edu/Music/</a> . Dr. Johnson's e-mail address can be found here: <a href="http://www.otterbein.edu/Music/contact_us.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.otterbein.edu/Music/contact_us.htm</a> . Otterbein is a NASM-accredited school; you can find other NASM schools through their website at <a href="http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/%5B/url%5D">http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/</a></p>
<p>Hope this helps...</p>
<p>Susantm's son sounds exactly like me. I'm a junior in high school now and just starting to get really serious about trumpet playing as a career, although I've been the best player in school since I started. My aunt is a college level music instructor and professional flautist and she and my dad have both said that the kids who really wan to make a career out of playing have, by my age, already been practicing their tails off for years and may even be playing professionally. This thread seems to confirm that it's not too late for me, especially since I do have a fair amount of ability. Am I right in assuming that?</p>
<p>I absolutely believe you are right. Yes, it may take more work for those of you who start late, but that doesn't mean it is impossible. My son has received a lot of encouragement from professional musicians he has met at summer music festivals and the like. Just find as many opportunities to play with good musicians and learn from good musicians as you can--private lessons, youth orchestra, summer programs, etc. If you love music, and the trumpet, enough to work really hard at it, I really believe you can do it.</p>
<p>My son is finishing his Bachelors Degree in Music Performance. He says his training is not yet done, he still has lots more to learn, and techniques to improve upon. He also says this will be lifelong learning...never ends.</p>