Hey. This is my first post and I feel this one’s going to drag. Apologies in advance. I’ll leave a summary if you don’t want to go and swim through this ocean of text.
So I've had my heart set on teaching music in a middle or high school setting after I graduate whatever college I happen to attend with a major in Music Education. It's only been about a year or two since I realized that I want to do this, but I truly feel that this is what I should do since I can't imagine doing anything else and want to make a difference in students' lives with music the same way it has to me, in addition to loving to be able to teach/conduct. The thing is, I can worry all I want night and day over whether I would even be accepted for such a program.
Here's some background:
I'm a sophomore and I attend a public school with, in my opinion, a great music program which, I guess, is good enough travel somewhere far yearly, this year being in Orlando, Florida. We don't do marching, but we have all the sit-down music we can ask for, with a strength in jazz and a great teacher who doubles as a weird friend.
As of now, in means of music experience, I've been playing piano for about 5 years, starting in fifth grade. My piano teacher is an amazing pianist, having graduating from Julliard way back when with a degree in I believe Piano Performance. I also believe she went to Manhattan for some time. Surprising for a small scale teacher, but she's very experienced. Anyways, although I've progressed more than I could've asked for with her, I noticed we both seemed to have ignored the aspects of keeping tempo and being able to sightread and play faster, more challenging pieces. It's happened to catch up to me a bit now, with me now being the bass clef/left hand pianist for pit orchestra and jazz-pianist in training at my high school who can't seem to keep tempo or beat to save their life. Otherwise, however, I'd like to think of myself as well off in means of piano, but I could never imagine myself playing it as a primary instrument in college, let alone want to.
I additionally am the "first chair" bass clarinetist in our Symphonic Band, it being my primary instrument. (In quote given that there's only about three of us and I'm the only one with a functional instrument.) I've performed well enough to impress my director and stand out a bit, everybody thinking I'm one of those "good" players, whatever they define that as. As of my work so far, I've:
-Been playing since freshman year, switched from clarinet in middle school where I played in all chairs throughout the years.
-Freshman year of band didn’t really mean much, but I was the section leader for low winds and got some award for Outsanding Musicianship for the freshmen that year anyways.
-Played in the school’s production of Gypsy last year as a freshman, others say I did great, and I think so too personally.
-Been recommended and accepted to participate in a music festival along with about 15 other students from my school in what is just short of an honor band at a local college. I feel I did well, and our clarinet coach, who I believe is the bass clarinetist at the SF Symphony, went on and on about how he loved how I played with my rich tone and “personality.”
-Taken a few private lessons at a music center in SF. However, the teacher was helpful but wasn’t that great, so I’m resuming lessons this summer with a teacher I’ve been wanting to work with.
That isn't much so far but I hope to do more as the years progress.
As mentioned earlier, I play clarinet too and based on what research I've done, it's probably going to have to be my auditioning and primary instrument in college, as they won't take bass clarinet as a primary. Problem is, I used to play great, but I guess after playing on bass for a year and a half has brought me down a bunch on clarinet, and I'm still struggling to regain my ability on it so I'm hoping my new teacher will be able to help me. Switching instruments isn't an option either. I'm renting to own my instrument and I love it anyways so I don't think I would switch.
I have no specific interests in certain college, and I'm pretty open to all the possibilities as long as they're better than a community college. I've been working hard to keep good grades, and I'm somewhere around the top of my class, although that means sacrificing a lot of sleep and precious hours I could be using to practice on homework and studying instead. I also participate in two service clubs at my school.
In summary:
-I'm a very devoted musician who wished to do Music Ed in college to teach at the public school level in the future.
-Our school has no marching, but has Jazz and Symphonic programs, both of which I'm in.
-I play a lot of piano, but not as my primary instrument.
-I play bass clarinet as my primary instrument at school and am far better at that rather than the regular clarinet.
-I am a high achiever at school and maintain good grades, usually a 4.0 in high-level courses, sacrificing time to study.
-As a bonus, I'm just going to put it out there that I'm trying to study theory and ear train myself at home even though I can't do things like sing for my life (I know I'll need it, but I'll see what I can do.)
All the others I know who have pursued the same route are all absolutely amazing musicians, far far better than what I think I am. They tell me to go for it, and that they're sure I'll make it, but I'm afraid that at the level I'm at, and the little time that I have, I'm not going to make the cut. I've done some research in different colleges and their requirements and I will continue to work and practice hard. But for now, what do you think are my chances of being accepted as a Music Education undergrad? And do you have any advice?