<p>Hi, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with study abroad music programs. My S is a freshman trumpet performance major and would like to study abroad somewhere in the EU (preferably Germany) during Junior year. His school does not offer a formal study abroad/exchange program for music majors, so he is on his own to find a program. He would like to find an orchestral program where he could spend 1 to 2 semesters and also receive private lessons. Any ideas or experience with how to find a program?</p>
<p>No direct experience, but I know there's alot of European conservatories, colleges and programs in the back pages of Strad magazine. Albeit, Strad is geared towards the string player, but it's a place to begin looking.</p>
<p>Additionally, binx's son is a horn player studying at Juilliard and I believe they have continental (German) experience, but at that the pre college level. You may want to PM her, as I believe they are currently traveling during the holidays.</p>
<p>Also, thumper1's son is a grad trumpet player at NCSA. You might find some word of mouth wisdom from her.</p>
<p>From my experience as a music major, it is extremely difficult to find study abroad music programs that can fully meet the requirements of one's own music program because of the special needs of music majors. If your son's school does not have a program that has already been okay'd or specially developed by (and for) the department/school, it may be difficult to do a study abroad semester.
Still, good luck! I know my school is developing one in Germany but it has been a difficult process involving actually creating what almost sounds like an entirely new school of music there by pulling local classes and experiences together to create courses that satisfy both school of music and university requirements.</p>
<p>My son did a study abroad at the Royal College of Music in London during his junior year. However, his program was run by Boston University in conjunction with RCM. He had a wonderful experience. I'm sorry I don't know more about independent study abroad for music. You could contact BU study abroad programs and see if they every accept students from other programs. I know they have a limit of 12 students for the program...so I'm not sure if they offer this program to students from other schools or not.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your responses. apumic, you confirmed my feeling that it wouldn't be that easy unless your university already had a program set up. Violadad, can you get Strad magazine at a bookstore like Barnes & Noble? Thumper1, I will contact BU. If they only select 12 students, I doubt that they would accept an "outsider", but maybe they will have other suggestions. Binx sounds like a great resource, I will try her too.
S doesn't really care if it is a formal program where he can earn credit as he was thinking he would come back and complete the last two years at the university. But we don't know all of the logistics with just going to Europe independently to live and study for 6 months to a year. Are there special permits that one must obtain, what to do about health insurance, and then there are the finances. I would prefer that he be in a formal program, so I will continue to research. Thanks again for your suggestions</p>
<p>mwtrpt- Strad should be available at either Barnes and Noble or Borders. Any music store geared to the string player should have it as well. You might want to check with your orchestra director or string playing friends, they may have an issue they could part with.</p>
<p>Additionally, here's the weblink for Strad The</a> Strad and the link to their online directory of degree granting schools (worldwide I believe) The</a> Strad</p>
<p>You might want to post your question on the Study Abroad section of CC. While most of these posts probably are not about music, there might be someone who knows of a program.</p>
<p>I did the same program that thumper's son did. It is restricted to BU students. However, the RCM does accept a good number of foreign students for a one year "experience programme."
Royal</a> College of Music - Studying - Courses - Experience Programmes</p>
<p>fiddlefrog, thank you for the link. That is exactly the kind of program we were hoping to find. S would still prefer to study in Germany, but at least it is a start. We were able to come up with several schools in Germany for S to look into thanks to violadad and the Strad magazine link. Some of the websites even have an English version! Now the hard work begins for S to contact schools and research what would be best for him, prepare audition etc. (and to think I thought that part of our lives was over with senior year. Does it ever end?) Thanks again for all of your help.</p>
<p>Another suggestion would be to ask faculty at the institution your s is at now. The music world is small, and word of mouth may get you in contact with a former student, colleague, standpartner, professor etc. who may now be associated with a European connection. For future reference, contacts and networking is often the best source of info in the music world.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>prepare audition etc. (and to think I thought that part of our lives was over with senior year. Does it ever end?>></p> </blockquote>
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<p>For performance majors, preparing auditions is a way of life. No...it never ends.</p>