Teacher Advice

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Hey guys,
I had originally posted back in September about issues I was having with a new teacher. Well, after 7 months with him, I don't see it working for another two years (I'm currently a sophomore). He has a Conservatory mindset, but the school I go to is NOT a conservatory. It's always prided itself on being a place where both music majors and non music majors can learn and enjoy, but they've started drifting away from that now. This teacher has alienated me and others who want to have fun and be good musicians, but who also want to have lives outside of music. Because his entire life is music, he has trouble relating to many of us, and also doesn't understand that there can be different ways to be serious about music. I go to a lesson and feel like, while I've improved technically, I'm missing the spirit of the music that I used to have. Lessons and practicing aren't fun for me anymore. This guy is an excellent player, but I need so much more in a teacher. I'm not a music major anymore (for a number of reasons) but I still have a music scholarship. Thus, while I would like to go off campus to take from another professor, I doubt that will be a possibility if I want to keep my scholarship. I have met with another professor in the department to vent, and will likely be setting something up with the department chair soon.</p>

<p>My basic question is, if I can't switch teachers, does anyone have advice on how to deal with a teacher who you don't enjoy? Transferring isn't an option, as I love absolutely everything else about where I am.</p>

2

<p>would it be possible for you to take lessons with more than one teacher at the same time? there might be things you like about your teacher now that you'd want to retain, but you'd also probably get more out of music if you have a second teacher who you can enjoy studying with and get things out of that you can't get out of your current teacher.</p>

3

<p>Ole, I reread your previous post, and have a couple of points to address before advising how you might approach the situation:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>did you every broach the dismissal of your prior teacher with the department head, and if so, what was the outcome?</p></li>
<li><p>did your current situation with your present teacher have a bearing in your dropping the music major?</p></li>
<li><p>you've met with another teacher from the department. Is this person an instructor in your instrument, or faculty in another music area?</p></li>
</ul>

<p>I see a number of potential points of disucssion, but clarification of the points above would help formulating my respose.</p>

<p>Cosmos point is valid, but there are a few more issues here as well.</p>

4

<p>Violadad:
I did talk to the head last year (the position has since shifted to someone else, however) about how I felt that students weren't given enough input into the decision. I didn't get very far. A thing to note here, is that the former teacher was not in a permanent position. She had been part time adjunct for several years, and full time interim last year. She was also an alum of the school. Given the way that things have worked in our music department in the past, in that they very often hire from within, it was a shock when she was not offered the full time tenure track position. She was told that she didn't do anything wrong, just that the selection committee (which did not make a unanimous decision in this case) decided to "go in a different direction." The most that I got out of my meeting last year was that they were looking to hire on a more national scale. </p>

<p>My new teacher did not directly cause me to drop my music major. I had a stressful first semester trying to combine two majors, (English and music) and ultimately decided that I saw myself ultimately aiming for a career in the English area rather than the music area. I definitely want to play after I graduate, maybe a little free-lancing, but nothing that would necessarily require a music degree. I wonder, however, had I still been working with my old teacher, if she would have been able to help me deal with some of the stress better. Purely speculation.</p>

<p>The person I met with is an Oboe instructor. My current clarinet professor is the only clarinet professor on campus.</p>

<p>As far as cosmos' suggestion of taking from two teachers, I don't see that it would work very well. I see it being very difficult to continuously work with two teachers, just as a matter of style and the possibility of contradiction. There is also the issue of cost. I know my parents wouldn't want to pay for two lessons. Thanks though!</p>

5

<p>I'll give you my personal assessment and recommendations, with the caveat that I am not a music professional, and you are currently not intending a performance career. </p>

<p>Given the relatively small size of the program, the absence of alternative applied faculty does not work for you. </p>

<p>I'm not familiar with St. Olaf's policies regarding applied lesson costs for non-majors, but I imagine they would not subsidize outside lessons on an instrument where there is existing faculty. To take lessons privately would be out of pocket, either yours or parents.</p>

<p>You may also want to examine the effect of your not taking applied lessons on your scholarship and if this is a make or break point in your overall educational financial picture.</p>

<p>The dismissal of your prior teacher, the change in department heads may indicate a change in focus within the overall program, it may not; it's impossible to tell from these two points alone.</p>

<p>Some of your frustrations and disappointments may well be from a combination of factors addressed here and in your September post.</p>

<p>If you have made a good faith effort to address your concerns and issues with your current teacher, and the department head if necessary, and still do not enjoy your lessons, I suggest you stop them, and seek alternative arrangements.</p>

<p>I would you urge you to refocus on your academic discipline, and continue to participate as fully as possible in the music programs as you feel comfortable.</p>

<p>It's apparent you wish to continue as a musician, but not on a performance career basis. I would hate to see your enjoyment diminished by a less than perfect student/teacher relationship, and I would urge you to continue ensemble/orchestral participation for personal enjoyment and skill level maintenance.</p>

<p>If you were continuing as a music major, I would offer different counsel.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, your experience illustrates what can happen even in a well reknowned yet smaller program where incompatability can limit your options. </p>

<p>Perhaps you can continue private study with your former instructor, or a suitable alternative that is more in line with your goals and mindset.</p>

<p>I wish you luck and success.</p>