<p>I'm a senior this year, preparing for college auditions and all that. I'm finalizing my list of colleges to apply for, and I'm curious to hear opinions on any good schools for tuba performance that I've missed. I realize there aren't that many tuba players on this board, but any help or advice, even based on word of mouth, would be great. :) </p>
<p>The schools on my list: UMich, Northwestern, Oberlin, Eastman, WesternMich</p>
<p>ETA: Also, is it worth sending in a recording to Peabody if I can't make it to the audition date? Do they even accept recordings? (Yes, I checked the website, but I didn't read whether they did or didn't.)</p>
<p>its not incredibly difficult to get in to (though theres no such thing as a safety with audition based programs), but I’ve played in the (non audition) concert band (theres also a wind ensemble which is essentially the same thing but selective) and studied with the tuba professor (who is also the conductor of the concert band) at Loyola New Orleans and found him to be a great teacher (helped my tone on euphonium and chops INCREDIBLY, as well as general ensemble skills).</p>
<p>The other is the principal tuba player for the Met Opera, and I’m not sure where he went to school, but he studied with Fritz Kaenzig who’s at Michigan, the late Arnold Jacobs who was at Northwestern, Eugene Pokorny who’s at Roosevelt, and Daniel Perantoni who’s at IU. He was in Chicago Civic for two years, so I think that’s when he studied with the teachers at Northwestern and Roosevelt.</p>
<p>NEC has been producing some notably talented players recently (Dennis Nulty of DSO, for one). Most of the recent Chicago Civic players have been DePaul students, and have gone on to play everywhere. Indiana, of course, is worth looking into, if the giant studio and school of music as a whole don’t scare you away. Prof. Kaenzig at UMich has had a recent record that can’t be argued with. </p>
<p>As far as schools that aren’t necessarily the top of music schools as a whole, but produce successful tubists, Arizona State is always a contender, and Sam Pilafian is one of the most inspiring musicians I’ve ever met. Dave Zerkel at U Georgia is a monster player (runner up for Philadelphia) and has had a good track record with students. Recently, Baylor in Dallas has been sending a player or two to the Falcone finals every year (which makes sense, as the teacher there won it a few years ago), and this year one of his grad students took the whole thing. There seems to be a lot of good playing coming out of CCM as well.</p>
<p>Pardon the self-promotion, but for the first time in four years, Bard will have a tuba opening in 2011. (We only admit enough students for one symphony orchestra). The tuba teacher is Alan Baer of the NY Philharmonic. Thanks to this thread, I now remember I have to find a tubist this year!</p>
<p>I think one that is seriously worth looking at is the university of denver. Warren deck teaches there now- he played principal tuba in the ny phil for over 20 years and also taught at Juilliard. He was diagnosed with focal dystonia and moved back to his hometown in Colorado. I applied to many top schools for flute a couple years back, and university of denver had hands down the most beautiful campus and facilities of anywhere I went. They also have a ton of money to give away for scholarships, so if you’re a player in the running for major conservatories you may get a full ride there, which may be a nice option if you get in to a place like, say, NEC and perhaps don’t get enough $. Denver is a great city; people are flocking here cuz it’s an awesome, beautiful city right next to the Rocky Mountains- skiing, hiking, nightlife all abound in CO. Anyways, just thought I’d share this option since you asked for things you may have missed. Cheers and good luck! </p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice. Bard and University of Denver have been added onto my list, and I’m looking into Baylor, UGeorgia, and ASU. In particular, I’m looking for some schools that aren’t necessarily world-renowned conservatories, but have a good tuba program. Can I get any more suggestions?</p>
<p>DS plays trombone, not tuba, but Mr. Baer taught his low brass class and, I think, coached his chamber group one semester. The man’s accomplishments speak for themselves, but S said he was a terrific teacher in addition to being a top-flight musician.</p>