Hey there,
I’m about to go into my freshman year of music school and I’m going in on my clarinet. My current plan is to pursue the music theory/composition degree, since I’ve always had a love for writing music.
For a bit of back story: I’ve played both clarinet and piano for a while now (about 9 years on clarinet and 7 on piano) and I love them both! I have always had an extremely hard time performing in front of people, but I was always pushed to perform. I’m not planning in majoring in performance, but something has happened recently that has made me question my decision of instruments for college. Basically, I decided to audition with clarinet at my school since I thought I wouldn’t make it on piano due to the demand being much higher. I didn’t think it would matter too much since my ultimate goal is composition.
Well, now that I’ve gotten a feel to what I’ll be doing during college, I regret my choice of not trying to get in on piano. I’ve realized that my passion for piano is so much stronger than clarinet. I enjoy playing in band and small ensembles with clarinet, but solo work is something I just get so terrified and uncomfortable with. When I perform on piano, it’s just different. Yes, I am still very very nervous, but I just have this feeling of excitement? I don’t know how else to describe it.
I know this is long, but I thought it’d make more sense if you could see where I was coming from. I’m all set to go to school and study clarinet while doing the piano classes that all music majors have to take. I did manage to test out of the first two, but I feel that I’ll be missing piano so much at college. I don’t know what to do. Should I postpone my school and wait to audition on piano next year? Is it a smart choice to do two instruments? I’m sort of at a loss. My school does allow you to do two instruments. I didn’t know this until way after I auditioned! I just feel I made a big mistake. I have a friend who’s doing a double major in Music Ed. with her clarinet and Performance with piano. I would love to do something like that, but I’m unsure if it’s a wise choice?
I hope this made some sense. I’ve really been struggling with this and would love some advice! Thank you in advance!
If you need any more details I can try and help with that
Were you admitted for composition? If so perhaps it is not difficult to change instruments. Have you talked with anyone at your school?
I’m a little confused by your post since you say you would love to do something like clarinet in music ed and piano for performance, but you say you are going to school for composition.
Thanks for replying! It’s my friend who is doing the Music Ed/performance double major. I do want to do composition, but I can’t get into that degree until the end of my sophomore year of school. I just don’t know how or if it’s a good idea to try and do clarinet and piano at the same time? I could try doubling with composition and performance (even though performing isn’t my strongest thing) which would be clarinet and piano.
I always think concerns like these are best shared with parents, music teachers and friends. Its certainly OK to ask on here for “opinions” but I would hope that you are reaching out to people who know you well for help. I will share another way to look at this…and then you need to do some research with your college, teachers and family.
1.) You are going to a music school that will allow you to study clarinet, piano and possibly composition. It sounds like a “flexible” school with lots of opportunities. That’s good for someone like you with multiple musical interests who is still exploring opportunities (nothing wrong with that!!).
2.) You can probably change your emphasis once you get there (you may want to check this). Most first (and second to a degree) semester courses are required for all students and are general like Theory 1 or 2. You can always “start” with clarinet…and then work with the faculty to decide if you can/should “transfer” your primary emphasis…or drop one. There may be no guarantee of switching to piano but there is no guarantee of re-auditioning for piano and getting an acceptance. It “may” be easier to do a transfer once in the program and working with faculty. You can talk with your advisor and teachers (clarinet and piano) about your uncertainties (and you will NOT be the first student in the situation…there will have been many…its OK to be torn…my D was!). The advisor can help you with the best schedule in case of a transfer. The faculty can help you understand what may be best for you over the first and/or second semester.
3.) It’s always nice to think that you get decide (or maybe it’s not and feels super stressful!). However in the arts, many times the decisions are made by you interacting with teachers, auditions and audiences. Part of the UG experience is figuring out what you can and can’t do…and learning to manage your frustrations and focus your talents. This is the faculties job…you don’t do it on your own. And…a conflicted, worried undergrad is usually MOST undergrads. Teachers are there to “steer you” based on your skills, talents and interests.
4.) Maybe some of your “concerns” are related to the big change that is coming. That is normal too. You may feel “not good enough” or “on the wrong path”. Very normal feelings. But the faculty at the college is waiting for a new crop of freshmen to work with for 4 years…and they will all be different and needing guidance. You may need to “trust the process” of education.
I don’t know what you should do. I’m only suggesting an “option” for you to think through with your parents or a teacher. Maybe contacting the school to discuss your concerns with a music advisor will help. Expressing these concerns does not make you less serious about music at all. It just makes you thoughtful.
