MM programs suitable for older and experienced students?

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Hi Everyone,</p>

<p>I am currently enrolled in an MM program, but am considering leaving after 1 year, in May. (The short of it is my teacher has decided to take a sabbatical next year, somewhat unexpectedly. I'm not too keen on his interim replacement.) That would be my main, "official" reason for leaving, and totally acceptable to most parties.</p>

<p>That aside, I feel like I've made adequate progress in my playing, my studio mates are great, and I like a lot of things about the school. However, one thing is dragging me down a bit: the ensemble load, and the resultantly strict freelance policy.</p>

<p>Background: I took several years off of school, before deciding to return for an MM, during which time I freelanced fairly heavily, and also worked a non-music job. (I double-majored in undergrad, and fortunately have other skill sets to pay the bills-- which has helped the freelance lifestyle tremendously!) My impetus for going back to school was simply to be in a focused environment, surrounded with good instruction and good peers-- such that I could make swifter improvements in my playing, without the constant distractions of everything else. Even though being back in school was a bit of a transition after being a functional adult for a while, I was happy with my decision. I made some good progress, at least!</p>

<p>However, I soon found that grad students here get pretty spread thin with school ensemble requirements, often to the detriment of practice time. (Ensemble directors here tend to over-program pieces with extended instrumentations, so you're soon pulling double or triple duty at the last minute, without any real say in the matter.) The applied faculty get miffed by the students going through spells of not practicing as much, but they just accept it as part of the culture... and nothing really changes.</p>

<p>Shortly after enrolling in school, I started getting calls for some better gigs (ICSOM- and ROPA-level), and constantly hit walls trying to get approved leave to take them. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn't. Regardless, it was pretty annoying. I also tried to limit leave requests to anything which would have significant professional impact for me, and as a result, turned down a fair number of smaller gigs of lesser consequence. </p>

<p>In summary, I'm interested in finishing my MM studies, but perhaps somewhere which isn't so crazy with ensemble requirements and more lax about students taking off for prominent gigs, etc. (I'll leave my instrument out of it for now, but will say I play a wind, brass or percussion instrument.) Are there any schools, generally, which fit this bill? Regionally, I'm looking anywhere on the East Coast or the Midwest.</p>

<p>(I also haven't ruled out just dropping school entirely, and instead just freelancing, taking lessons with good teachers, and taking auditions. I'm actually leaning that way, at the moment, but thought I'd investigate some academic options, as well, in case there's a suitable program out there.)</p>

<p>Any suggestions are welcome!</p>

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<p>Having an MM or any master’s degree in music is helpful as a credential in case you ever want to teach at a college, particularly state/community colleges which tend to require an advanced degree. That said, the degree would not have to be in your performance area. You might consider doing a degree in theory or music history, if you are strong in those areas academically, which would not necessarily have major if any performance requirements. Probably your first year as MM student got you through any placement tests. You could possibly finish out the requirements on a part time basis. Many of those kinds of degrees are project based, so if you had to be away for a week or two, it might be fine. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Lorelei-- thanks for that advice. I fortunately am strong in both music history and theory, but lack the drive to really pursue either ardently at the graduate level–even something as short as an MM. I know myself well enough, in that regard. Thanks for the suggestion, though!</p>

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<p>Bullepack, you would obviously know more about all of this than me cause I’m a high school senior and you’re a grad student but I’d finish the degree, even if I had to transfer to somewhere else, just because it could potentially help your career/future salary and having a masters degree never looks bad that way.</p>

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<p>PianoMan12-- I certainly agree with you on the benefits of possessing a master’s degree. Hence, why I’m investigating other options out there! (P.S. Congratulations on your recent college acceptances, too!)</p>

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<p>I’m a parent (with advanced degrees, non-music) and my daughter is about to apply for double performance degrees, wind player.</p>

<p>I recommend you finish you MM without waiting for your teacher to return. He/she might not return–might get a new job–and if not you will have waited another year on top of the time you already took between degrees.</p>

<p>Regarding the burden the school places on you regarding ensembles–can you get undergrads to take your place? We always hear about how at some schools, undergrads do not get enough ensemble opportunities because the grad students have them.</p>

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<p>Woodwinds-- I appreciate the recommendation. I actually don’t mind taking a year or semester off, to transfer to another program. (I’m becoming less keen on waiting out my teacher’s return, anyway). Since the application cycle for next fall has concluded for most schools, it seems like my immediate options are limited anyway. I might try for a January transfer (pending space available and financial aid at some programs), or enroll somewhere else in Fall 2013.</p>

<p>Regarding ensembles here-- really everyone, including undergrads, is spread quite then, and nobody is want for more playing opportunities. One thing that attracted me to this school was the diversity of playing opportunities available, particularly chamber music, and I knew I would have lots of options. I didn’t discover until I got here, however, that the ensemble directors sort of have free reign and repertoire programming isn’t really regulated-- so there’s definitely a culture of “supply must meet the demand”, and everyone has to double (or triple) their normal loads if the demands are such. Some students are more agreeable to that than others. I personally have more on my plate, playing-wise, than I really want.</p>

<p>I definitely don’t mind pulling my weight, don’t get me wrong! However, I’m now realizing that I’d rather allocate a lot of that time to the practice room-- or have enough flexibility to play with professional groups outside of school. (I feel like I’m improving more through playing with those groups versus the school ensembles, anyway.)-- Hence my reason for starting this thread is to see what programs are out there, which are generally more compatible in that regard.</p>

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<p>Why are you getting a master’s? I understand the reasons people have described, but what are your own reasons?</p>

<p>It sounds like you already have a pretty good thing going, with freelance playing, and a job in another area.</p>

<p>Is it possible you could be better off continuing as you were, and then perhaps getting a master’s in something else further down the road if it occurs naturally?</p>

<p>Will the MM improve your musical activities? Do you want to leave the job that has been supporting you, so to speak? Do you want an MM so you can teach?</p>

<p>It does sound like you want to continue one way or the other. Is is just one year left for you?</p>

<p>If you have good reasons, and have the money, then I would say either continue where you are next year or go back the following year when your teacher is back.</p>

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<p>I think my daughter would feel the same way you do. If you’re getting outside gigs and freelancing well, the last thing you want is more required college ensembles that take away your time and money. You also need the freedom to take some days off of school to do things like audition for orchestras (if you play an orchestral instrument) and take the better outside gigs.</p>

<p>You’ve raised an important issue. When we look at schoosl next year when my daughter is auditioning, we will also ask about over-engagement in chamber ensembles and performing groups.</p>

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<p>I’m reviving this thread from a couple months ago, as it slipped my mind for a bit! </p>

<p>Compmom-- I appreciate the advice! My main impetus for pursuing an MM program was simply to make swifter improvements in my playing and be in a focused environment. (The preceding years, where I worked a day job and also freelancing-- while awesome in their own way-- resulted in far less practice time than I would have liked. I was still productive and made progress, but knew I would have to make larger overall changes to progress at the rate I wanted to. School seemed like a reasonable way to accomplish that.) While having the extra degree credential for teaching purposes, etc., is nice-- it’s certainly not my main impetus for obtaining the MM.</p>

<h2>Woodwinds-- It is certainly an aspect of music programs which people often overlook! I think it is definitely important to examine how a school advocates and accommodates professional development opportunities, especially when pitted against their curricular structure. Best of luck in your daughter’s search for a program!</h2>

<p>To update-- I am officially taking next year off from my current MM program, which is now halfway complete. I’m resuming search of other programs to which I can transfer in January or Fall 2013. </p>

<p>To refocus the discussion-- Rather than focus on my motivations for pursuing an MM, I am in search of suggestions for MM/Diploma programs with known flexible leave/freelance policies. As an older student, I would enjoy the flexibility to accept professional opportunities while still juggling school responsibilities-- a balance which hasn’t really worked out at my current school. (Mind you, I haven’t ruled out the idea of simply not returning to an MM program, but thought I’d see if there’s a good program out there, which meets my criteria.)</p>

<p>Any suggestions are most welcome!</p>

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<p>You say you’re halfway done with your program, but most Master’s degrees only allow you to transfer 9 credit hours or three courses into their degree programs from another school, if I remember correctly. Also, all course work must be completed in 7 years, so don’t let that year off turn into two or three when you no longer have the time, money, or desire to finish a degree you’ve put hard work into and is worthy of having!</p>

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<p>Redeye41-- I’m well aware of the potential coursework hit I might take by transferring. Fortunately, I’m willing to stomach a bit of that for the right situation. (I appreciate the point, regardless.)</p>

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<p>Bullepack, I hope I didn’t come across as lecturing you, it’s just I’m one of those people that let life get in the way of completing a Master’s degree when I had that degree over half completed. I had to start over. Retaking some of the courses I had already completed, paid for, and got an “A” in really made me slap myself on the forehead! I had two kids when I restarted my degree which made it even harder!</p>

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<p>Redeye41-- Not to worry! No offense taken, whatsoever. (And sorry to be slow to respond.) I’m certainly facing some of that myself, knowing that life does get in the way. Thanks again for your advice.</p>