Viola Performance

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>I read a lot of what goes on this forum, specifically in the music major area, and I have to say that I'm impressed most of the time of the insight and knowledge that people input onto this forum.</p>

<p>I wanted to post my situation on here and see if I can get some advice on what to do and where to apply, seeing as it is almost December. I have some ideas where I want to go, but I'm totally not sure on even a few schools to where I'm going to apply.</p>

<p>This is officially my second year in college. Last year, I went to a small honors college in Florida that was entirely academic. There is no music program. I thought I didn't want to do music, but that was just a self-justifying reason.</p>

<p>I guess I'll have to go back a little further:</p>

<p>I started playing viola in 8th grade, and eventually started trying out for all-states and clinics and all of that, getting in and placing high in seating and sometimes even getting first or second stand in things. I auditioned for some music festivals and was accepted with scholarships, however, I could never attend due to not having ANY money to go. My parents aren't exactly rich or supportive in a truly committed financial sense. I can't blame them, we aren't exactly rich. </p>

<p>My senior year, I auditioned for several schools by CD (not enough money or support to travel), and was accepted and wait-listed at a few. I applied to Yale, Cornell, MIT, Peabody, and NEC. I got into Cornell and Peabody with not enough money to go, and wait-listed at NEC and the denied at the other two. </p>

<p>I'm fine with that. I could have taken out a loan but I decided against it.</p>

<p>I started composition lessons my senior year as well, and that has become my focus for the past few years... but I'm now realizing I only went to composition because I thought I basically couldn't afford performance. So my intent is to now focus on viola performance.</p>

<p>So back to last year- I ended up withdrawing for medical reasons being granted an exceptional circumstances withdrawal for the second semester, so it was as if I never even went there. </p>

<p>I applied for the FSU school of music last year, and was "accepted" into the COM by the viola professor's standards... however, FSU (due to the budget crisis in FL) doesn't take transfers without AA's. So I started CC this year and actually started music classes. I came into college with so many credits that I'll have my AA at the end of this year, where I plan to transfer as a junior credit wise, but as a sophomore music year wise. It is kind of complicated, I know!</p>

<p>My GPA is fine. I have a 3.9 right now, and my HS GPA was even better. I was the valedictorian of my class, and I also have Ivy league level ACT and SAT I and II scores. </p>

<p>With all of that said, I have a few ideas of where I want to go and what I want.</p>

<p>I don't want a pure conservatory like Juilliard or something.
I don't want a school that necessarily has a name.</p>

<p>I HAVE to have a school that will give me money, whether based on merit or need.</p>

<p>And I would really like a strong viola professor and perhaps a strong composition professor if I can end up taking lessons.</p>

<p>The money is really the biggest deal breaker here. I'm just trying to balance quality with the money. </p>

<p>Some ideas are:</p>

<p>FSU (of course)
UNT
Stonybrook
Brandeis (they have this full scholarship thing...)
Shenandoah (had a lesson with Doris Lederer and I LOVED her)
Southern Mississippi University (CHECK out the viola professor)
Vanderbilt</p>

<p>I also need a school on the east coast and not too far north. I can make exceptions however.</p>

<p>It would also be nice to have something to do with early music if possible.. that would just be a plus though.</p>

<p>I'm sorry if this is a big wall of text, but I'm really in need of advice.</p>

<p>I'm willing to talk about this with anyone at anytime, just give me some input!</p>

<p>Thanks everyone!</p>

2

<p>Great viola teachers I know of at non-conservatories:</p>

<p>Atar Arad - Indiana U - Jacobs SOM
Peter Slowik - Oberlin Conservatory (you can do a double degree with the college)</p>

<p>Oberlin has a lot of money - merit and needs-based - if they want you. IU is inexpensive to begin with and has major awards for academic merit (based on SAT/gpa) as well as music merit awards - you can stack up a full package there with the right combination. I don't know who teaches at Vanderbilt, but they also are able to give very generous financial aid for a combination of academic and music merit plus need.</p>

<p>You should definitely focus on the teacher you want. Go visit if you possibly can to get sample lessons. You will do better with merit awards if you audition in person and not by DVD.</p>

<p>Good luck to you!</p>

3

<p>You'd be hard pressed to get Atar Arad to teach an undergrad from what I've heard. He is among one of the very best.</p>

<p>Shenandoah is a nice little program. Son did a festival there, and was impressed with Tom (Clyde) Shaw, Audubon's cellist and his son Frank, an NEC viola performance grad, temping for his mom Lederer. She was on staff at Kneisel Hall and has been for years, at the time my son played their festival. Have heard they can be very generous to the right candidate.</p>

<p>Stony Brook might be a tad more grad focused than undergrad for performance. If you can study with Dutton, you have a winner.</p>

<p>If you are thinking SUNY, think SUNY Purchase... a true conservatory program. Ira Weller of Met Opera is viola professor. </p>

<p>You might also be a good candidate for Bard, if the mandatory 5 year double major is in line with your thinking. Steve Tennebom and Michael Tree are listed faculty. Two of the top.</p>

<p>Slowik is also one of the best, and Oberlin is a top flight program all around. Karen Ritscher is also very good.</p>

<p>Rutgers (Mason Gross) has CJ Chang of Philly Orchestra. Tree was also there, may still be as an adjunct or visiting professor.</p>

<p>UNT has a very good program, overall, but I can;t speak specifically to their strings.</p>

<p>Basil Vendryies at U/Denver (Lamont) has a devoted following and solid rep among those who have studied under him. Fantastic new perfomance/music buiding.</p>

<p>McGill in Canada with Andre Roi is also a top program.</p>

<p>UHartford/Hartt has Steve Larson, whom my son studied under and was extremely pleased. Hartt is also searching actively for a second ft viola faculty. Melinda Daetsch is also there, but her specialty is Suzuki pedagogy. Very good program, and they can be extremely generous for the right candidate. I speak from experience here. Nice comp department as well from what I understand. Son has a buddy, Hartt comp grad, now Yale SOM MM comp program.</p>

<p>I can't speak to SMU, I don't know the rep or program.</p>

<p>I know you said you don't want a conservatory, but many of these are conservatory level within a university/LAC. And if you have the chops, there's always Colburn. It's a free ride for those that make the cut.</p>

<p>There are many, and the money tends to be there in varying degrees for the right candidate.</p>

4

<p>My daughter studies with Peter Slowik at Oberlin. She's in her second year and loves it. I'd be happy to (try to) answer any questions about Oberlin. </p>

<p>If you want to be in Florida, another school that I don't think was mentioned is Lynn University in Boca Raton. I have heard great things about Ralph Fielding and I have also heard that the school has a lot of money. If you search the viola list (viola.com) for Fielding, you'll find good info.</p>

<p>Here's his bio from Bowdoin:</p>

<p>Bowdoin</a> International Music Festival : Faculty : Viola</p>

<p>and here's a link to Lynn:</p>

<p>Conservatory</a> of Music — Lynn University</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

5

<p>This is all great advice so far, thanks!</p>

<p>violadad- I came THIS close to going to Shenandoah. I really loved the campus, and more importantly, Doris. Her husband was a student of my youth orchestra director, and that is how I found out about them. I'm seriously considering her again.</p>

<p>I think NY, Denver, and Cali are a bit too far away for me right now. Susan Dubois, a Karen Tuttle student is the coordinator and viola prof at UNT. She does the Tuttle Clinic (or has before) with Kashkashian and Ritscher and others. What else can you tell me about Hartford and Rutgers?</p>

<p>Tomdug- I've looked at Lynn as well. I might consider it. Fielding seems great. I'm really worried about money for Oberlin. My parents make less than 60K$, and possibly $50K. I live with my grandparents and might be filing under their taxes. They are both over 75 and live on a fixed income. How is financial aid, living situations and all that jazz?</p>

6

<p>Oberlin is pretty generous with financial aid, both in the merit and need-based departments. About a quarter of their annual operating budget is given out in financial aid and virtually everyone whose parents make less than $100K per year gets some amount of financial aid, usually substantial. Something like a third of the conservatory students get merit scholarships, generally in the $6K to $12K per year ballpark, but sometimes much more for the right candidate. Between merit and need-based aid, they meet 100% of demonstrated need (no gapping) for all their students, usually weighted heavily toward grants and away from loans. The typical aid package includes about $6K in loans and work-study and the rest in grants. They do not reduce their aid offer if you have an outside scholarship, as long as there is a merit-based component of any kind used in awarding that scholarship. If the outside scholarship and the Oberlin aid total more than the cost of attendance, they will reduce the loans and work study portion to 0 before touching any of the grants.</p>

<p>The current policy is that all first through third year students live on campus. There is a large co-op system for housing and dining that allows students to save a few thousand dollars per year over the cost of the dorms and school cafeteria in return for five or six hours per week of work. Those hours are even further reduced for students who have work study jobs. I can tell you from first hand experience that the food served by the coop is almost always better than what comes out of the school cafeteria. The fresh baked bread in particular is amazing.</p>

<p>In addition to being great viola teachers, Slowik and Ritscher are genuinely nice people. I had the opportunity to chat with them for over an hour at a luncheon for conservatory parents, and they were both very engaging and down-to-earth kind of folks.</p>

<p>I would highly suggest that you not let their high cost of attendance stop you from even applying. It could be very worthwhile to see what kind of financial aid package they can put together for you if you were to be accepted there.</p>

7

<p>How about U of Maryland? Doris teaches there, too, and it's a quite strong performance program. Amazing facilities, good orchestra and chamber music.</p>

8

<p>
[quote]
I would highly suggest that you not let their high cost of attendance stop you from even applying. It could be very worthwhile to see what kind of financial aid package they can put together for you if you were to be accepted there.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>BassDad hits the nail on the head here, and this is sound advice for a number of schools mentioned in this thread. The money can magically appear for the right candidate. A Peabody acceptance and NEC waitlist are excellent results, and you are quite probably extremely competitive at most audition based programs. If these were the result of CD rather than live auditions admits, I would strongly urge you to audition live at your top choices. It will better your chances.</p>

<p>Not to stroke your ego, but you could well be a big fish in some of the smaller ponds, particularly on viola. But then again any audition based admit is a crap shoot. </p>

<p>SMU- has always had a very well respected music program, but in the east, we tend to not associate it with strings specifically. The two names of faculty both have excellent credentials. Perhaps others here can flesh out more detail.</p>

<p>My knowledge of Rutgers is based on info gleaned through a few sources. It has been a lower cost alternative to many looking at faculty from NYC big 3 conservatories, or Philly area. The applied faculty list is annually heavily populated with many well known names from Juilliard, Mannes, MSM, Curtis, NYC & Philly performing organizations, and other "name" schools from the greater NY/Philly area. Most serve as adjuncts, visiting instructors and the downside can be a reduced on campus presence, potentially restricting interaction.</p>

<p>Very similar in that respect to SUNY Purchase, which is the SUNY performance flagship. Low cost alternative, very competitive and respected program, drawing faculty from major NYC, NY, Philly, CT programs. Borders CT/NY in metro NYC commuter town.</p>

<p>You might want to PM the poster RedHerring. Her D was a freshman viola performance major at Vandy who transferred to Rice this year.</p>

<p>Rice should also bear a hard look if you haven't already, both in terms of program and potential for financial assistance. They can be generous, and the competition is always high level.</p>

<p>You can also pm othermusicdad, whose D is a viola perf freshman at UColorado/Boulder, another fine program. He has west coast knowledge and audition experiences he might share.</p>

<p>Another potential source of info is violamandad. His son is a sophomore at MSM, but he could have valuable insight as well.</p>

<p>Like tomdug, they don't post all that often, but are frequent "lurkers" and can be great sources of advice and insight. Some of us tend to be much more verbose. ;) And I bow to fiddlefrog who has an excellent knowledge of many string programs, and has proved a great source of info to many.</p>

<p>I've posted numerous times about Hartt in general. A couple of posts are <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/456111-hartt-school.html?highlight=Hartt%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/456111-hartt-school.html?highlight=Hartt&lt;/a> and <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/472471-violin-performance-hartt.html?highlight=Hartt%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/472471-violin-performance-hartt.html?highlight=Hartt&lt;/a> You can find others via the search this forum feature. I've also touched on son's undergrad experience in any number of threads, not necesarrily referencing Hartt directly. Feel free to pm me with specific questions.</p>

9

<p>but I wanted to suggest you look at</p>

<p>Appalachian State/Hayes SOM. Don't automatically dismiss this one. Take a look and do some research, but I've heard very good things about the school in general, the music area specifically. Now faculty names don't jump off the page and grab you, but that can be irrelevant. I might be a bit concerned about peer quality overall, but they are a very reasonable cost alternative, seem to have an up and coming music department, and many are enamored with the area and environment.</p>

<p>U/Neb Lincoln (Hickson-LeidSOM) is another well funded and supported program at a state flagship. Clive Potter is viola prof, Jonah Sirota of Chiara String Quartet (resident quartet there) is adjunct. Sirota took a third in the most recent Naumburg viola competition; Chiara is a "young" quartet with a growing following and some interesting rep and venue choices helping them establish a niche. They are a force to watch long term.</p>

10

<p>Qualifying my remarks with the caveat: I know nothing about viola!</p>

<p>Have you looked at UGA at all? Your stats would make you real competitive for their honors college and scholarship money. UGA has a reputation around here for having a really good strings program, and they have very nice music facilities. Mark Neumann is the viola professor (whom I know nothing about, of course.)
UGA</a> Hugh Hodgson School of Music</p>

11

<p>schwanendreher89,</p>

<p>I agree with Bassdad about applying at Oberlin. If it's a school you are interested in, you should apply. Based on what you have posted here, you would probably qualify for need-based aid. As soon as possible, try to figure out your EFC with the FAFSA estimator. </p>

<p>Your admission and any merit aid will be based on your audition, but have as much info about what kind of money FAFSA says you will be expected to kick in. You might be in better shape than you realize. </p>

<p>Can any FAFSA experts chime in on schwanendreher89's filing with her grandparents as her guardians/care takers?</p>

<p>As for housing at Oberlin, we have been very pleased. Our daughter lived in Spanish house last year (it was great!) and this year lives in the most beautiful building on campus that is also right across from the Conservatory. She's not a member of a co-op, but she confirms what Bassdad said about the high quality co-op meals. There is not a dorm for Con. students. They are mixed in with everyone else.</p>

12

<p>I am not sure what the financial aid possibilties would be, but you might want to look at UW-Madison. Sally Chisholm is an excellent teacher. My guess is that there is money there for strong violists.</p>

13

<p>Agree with shennie, Chisolm is a very good teacher. I didn't realize (or forgot) she was at UW Madison.</p>

14

<p>Chisholm is great, but U. Wisconsin (at least last year) had a maximum merit award for music at $4,000. If you're out of state, that doesn't go very far. However, for a good student, you might get the rest filled in with academic merit money (like at IU). U. Michigan is an excellent school and has good merit money, but I know nothing about their viola teacher(s).</p>

15

<p>Yeah I think I have some ideas now:</p>

<p>UNT
Rice
FSU
Vanderbilt
Oberlin (maybe)</p>

<p>Things in this vein are great guys. Thanks for all of the help and continued support... and more input of course if you guys can think of anything!</p>

16

<p>Yizhak Schotten at UMich is a former student and protege of William Primrose. His name is associated with a number of recent orchestral chair position winners. I don't know if he is currently teaching undergrads, or is more focused on grad students.</p>

<p>Bob Culver is a noted music educator and clinician. He may well focus on music ed (viola) students.</p>

<p>I honestly know nothing of Rebecca Albers, the other listed faculty. Out of curiosity I found this The</a> Albers Trio: about us. There is more to be had via google.</p>

17

<p>schwanendereher,</p>

<p>I'm a current student int he College of Music FSU (am also a student advisor). I'll admit, yes, the school (as most schools within the State University System of Florida) has taken a hit budget-wise (though ample scholarships through the College of Music are still given, so keep your hopes up), but I'm a little concerned that they (FSU admissions, not the College of Music) denied your admission.</p>

<p>Yes, priority is given to those who have their AA, but they'll still consider your application if you had at least 12 credit hours of transferable credit (I'm assuming you probably did, considering I think I know which "small honors college" you went to), and the College of Music will fight for your acceptance (usually), considering you already were accepted (musicwise). I may be wrong, but you probably should have talked this up more with both the CoM and the admissions office (sadly, one of the drawbacks to this university is that a few of the departments [Music included] don't have much contact with the admissions office). However, unless things have changed and I'm totally wrong, I apologize.</p>

18

<p>Violadad wrote - "Like tomdug, they don't post all that often, but are frequent "lurkers" and can be great sources of advice and insight. Some of us tend to be much more verbose."</p>

<p>Violadad, without advice from you and the other experienced musicians and music parents on cc, I'd have been lost last year. Thanks for being "verbose". Consider me a proud music major thread "lurker" ready contribute whenever I can! Since there are not too many "viola performance" threads, I can't pass up on this one.</p>

<p>Yes, my D is a freshman, viola performance major at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She loves the university, the College of Music, her professors and the viola studio. She currently studies viola performance with Erika Eckert. Professor Eckert is fantastic. The Takacs Quartet is in residence at CU, so my D also has the opportunity to work with Geraldine Walther. </p>

<p>Although the numbers vary from year to year, the College of Music has about 575 students - 300 undergrads; 275 grads (1/2 are MM, MMEd; 1/2 are DMA or PhD).</p>

<p>My D can't say enough about Professor Eckert and her viola studio. I believe there are 16 violists in the studio this year - again about 1/2 grad students (including DMA candidates) and 1/2 undergrads. My D is extremely impressed with the talent. </p>

<p>They meet twice each week as a studio. My D has her private lesson with Professor Eckert once each week. She has an additional lesson with Professor Eckert's TA (a MM candidate) each week as well. The freshman violists have their own TA. Sophmores, juniors and seniors work with a different TA, so there is plenty of personal attention from both Professor Eckert and a TA.</p>

<p>D was seated in the "university orchestra" (there is also a campus orchestra), which rehearses three times each week. She was also assigned to two chamber groups, which also rehearse several times each week. The orchestras and chamber groups are by audition only.</p>

<p>Schwanendereher, you mentioned you were looking for something other than a pure conservatory. CU Boulder may be for you. As a performance major, you can certainly expect a full immersion in music. My D takes 17 credits this semester (18 is the max at CU) and all but 3 credits are for music courses. The College of Music, however, is part of a large university and a student body with interests ranging from A to Z.</p>

<p>While CU Boulder is pricey for out of state students, the university does offer generous merit aid for top students (it appears you may be one) and the College of Music does offer a variety of music scholarships including full tuition scholarships. </p>

<p>You also asked about an early music program. The College of Music has an early music ensemble program. I don't know much about it, but you can learn more on College</a> of Music | University of Colorado at Boulder - just type "early music" into the search engine. The College of Music also has something called the "Entrepreneurship Center for Music", which helps music students with career related issues.</p>

<p>I have been to CU twice since the start of school - once for the first orchestra concert and once for family weekend. Denver is a direct flight from almost anywhere in the US, which makes things easy for us. Boulder is a 30 minute Super Shuttle ride from DIA. The shuttle goes right to my D's dorm. Boulder also has extensive around town bus service for full time students. With a "BuffOne" card (CU is the Buffaloes) that doubles as a student ID card, students can go almost anywhere for "free".</p>

<p>My one final comment is about Boulder and the surrounding area. I can't imagine you'll find a more beautiful place anywhere. The Flatiron Mountains surround the campus and the outdoor activities are endless (note to parents - If you go on a three hour hike with your D on parents weekend, you WILL be very sore the next day AND someone turns off the oxygen at 6000 feet!). There are also numerous ski resorts nearby - one is just 20 minutes away by bus. </p>

<p>I hope some of this information help. Violists and viola parents have to stick together. Thanks again violadad!</p>

19

<p>othermusicdad, thanks for your kind words. I attempt to help where I can. </p>

<p>Should you or d, or other parents/students have a chance to see The Vinca Quartet in a return to UCol Boulder, by all means go. They were the grad quartet in residence under Takacs two years ago, finished their GPD program at Boulder and are now back in the CT/metro area furthering their career. Fantastic group of young musicians on a way to making a name for themselves. You will not be disappointed.</p>

20

<p>Choral-</p>

<p>FSU takes transfers with AA's only now for most programs... I'm sure this isn't the case with music. I did very well at my audition and talked with Dr. Ryan for over an hour on a separate occasion, but was not admitted to the university of to the COM. The COM was waiting to see if I was admitted to the university first. Maybe I could have fought it... but I'd didn't have the stamina after being sick last year to do that.</p>

<p>Haha, um.. yeah that honors college... FAU... it.. sucks.</p>

<p>Everyone else-</p>

<p>Thanks for everyone's encouragement, support and advice!</p>

<p>I'm going to be applying (mostly due to cost) to Oberlin, UNT, and FSU.</p>

<p>You guys are right, violist, viola fans, and viola parents all have to stick together!</p>