<p>That may be particularly true for certain instruments, and certainly for soloists.
Pianists with the thought of working in music departments at universities would do well to get a good education. Given the limited opportunities for full time musicians, most posters would benefit from learning how to think, write, and analyse.</p>
<p>I don't think there's any question that a university will provide more rigorous academics. However, even those students who prefer a conservatory education should realize that high school grades, test scores, etc. might be considered. Yeah, if the kid totally blew them away with the audition, that might be another story. But how many kids do you really think totally blow away the faculty at Juilliard or Curtis? Most likey, an exceptionally talented high school musician will be among several possible candidates competing for just one or a few spaces. Grades, test scores, interviews, and recommendations should all be taken seriously.</p>
<p>All I am saying is if student A scores a 95 on their audition, has a 2.5 GPA and 1000 SAT and student B scores a 91 and has a 3.8 and 1400, Student A gets the spot and should if we are talking performance at a conservatory. Grades and test scores if looked at all, are only if you need a tie breaker between two deserving kids. Most good musicians are pretty decent students and would not put up those bad numbers. I just used those to stress the point.</p>
<p>Its about performing potential. Even at most top universities the better musician gets in unless the scores are too low to qualify for admission.</p>
<p>You would be surprised (I was) at how many top musicians are actually terrible students. My daughter spent her last two years of high school at Interlochen, which is very rigorous academically. Many of the conservatory bound kids took the absolute minimum required courses to graduate and struggled with those. There were plenty of exceptions, of course, and a number of kids, including my daughter, came out with lots of AP credits. Being a top musician doesn't necessarily mean the academics come easily.</p>
<p>You probably have a good point MomofWildChild.</p>
<p>I wonder how many of those kids were so sure they were going to end up at a conservatory and later playing music for a living, that they stop putting effort into academics. I have seen that happen.</p>
<p>One kid who graduated the year before my daughter really got into a jam. He was a trumpet player and POSITIVE that he would stick with music. After a year at conservatory (might have been CIM) he decided to ditch music entirely. He had not taken enough academics to even transfer into lower level state universities. The parents were crushed. Not sure what he did- maybe took a few courses to make up the deficit.</p>
<p>This really parallels what happens with serious athletes. If you were truly aiming to be a professional athlete, and you actually had a good shot at it, why bother putting too much effort into math and history? They probably don't have the time even if they wanted to! </p>
<p>I guess I wouldn't have thought this years ago, and kudos to the kids who can be great students and great musicians, but if you have one good shot at your dream, why not put all your effort into it? Seems to me there's plenty of time later in life for alternative plans.</p>
<p>It's all about the balance. The kids who are homeschooled and practice five hours a day have a leg up...in some areas, and are seriously deprived in others.</p>
<p>I am glad my DS wants a conservatory within a university setting, and that he will have to take some non-music courses. He is certain he will never change his mind about his musical career aspirations, but you know what they say about "never."</p>
<p>My son is leaving conservatory after a year, last two years in performing arts high school, transferring into a major research university, curriculum TBA, but not music. His SAT scores were high, some early honors courses, few AP courses, good, not great grades on hs and conservatory grades. He will need four more years to do any curriculum. We assume the SAT score was helpful in transfer admission. He is leaving because of intellectual boredom and keen awareness of how difficult it is to make it. We are glad he had the chance to give it a try, but also relieved he reached this decision sooner rather than later.</p>
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He is leaving because of intellectual boredom and keen awareness of how difficult it is to make it.
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These are exactly the two things we were afraid of. While I think conservatories are perfect for some students, they probably aren't the best place for those without that singular focus.</p>
<p>AND- it is important to remember that a lot can change for a kid between 16-17 and 20-21. I, too, am glad my daughter chose a university setting (Rice) for her music studies. She has done extremely well musically and academically, and while music will always be a key part of her life, she is exploring another calling as well.</p>
<p>You are definitely right about a lot changing between those ages. My son didn't even decide he wanted a career in music until his senior year, when he was 18. He had never been to a music summer program, had only started practicing during the summer a couple of years before. Needless to say, he has a lot of work to do to catch up with those kids who went to performing arts high schools and summer festivals, and who practiced hours a day from an early age. But he has a great academic background!</p>
<p>I guess it works both ways. :)</p>