<p>I'm freaking out right about now about my auditions. I am accepted and have a pretty good scholarship to Westminser College (New Wilmington) and I'm checking into West Virginia Wesleyan (just for the sake of no audition, but I'm a little nervous because nobody knows anything about it). I'm also accepted to Slippery Rock University, but I've kind of just forgot about them.
Anyway, for the longest time, I planned on auditioning vocally, but I'm not very resonate and I have jaw problems. I'm actually not supposed to sing at all, but no one cares :). I got told over the summer (I'm a senior now) that I could be good enough to audition on piano. I've been working on 2 movements of a Clementi Sonatina and a Bach Invention. I truly don't think I'm going to be ready to audition. I could hurry up and get better vocal pieces, but that doesn't solve my problem of not being very good. I also play tuba, but I don't have my own and I highly doubt I could audition on it.
I just feel so behind compared to other people. I've only been playing piano since freshman year (starting privately my junior year), and I'm just not sure if I can audition on it. I just know I'm meant to be a music teacher, but I don't know what to do. I ruin every audition I do and I'm just really stressed. I thought I could possibly take classes at my community college for a year and then audition, but I would possibly lose out on scholarships. Any suggestions of what I should do? Sorry that was really long :p</p>
<p>I remember responding to one of your posts earlier this season and saying that, in my opinion, a music program that doesn’t require an audition simply isn’t worth doing- I stand by that statement. Why have you decided to eliminate Slippery Rock?
You throw a lot of things out, but don’t explain. Why are you “not supposed to sing”? Jaw tension is a common problem which can be dealt with, but is your problem more severe than that? Frankly, the pieces that you are working on for piano don’t have the difficulty factor to get you admitted to a good program as a piano major it’s one of the most competitive instruments. A general music teacher in schools has to be able to play decently and to accompany vocal ensembles. You say that you’re “not very good” in voice, but you feel a real calling to be a music teacher. What draws you to this? Music programs are being cut all over the country and even the best and most talented teachers are being laid off. Some of them can make money gigging or giving private lessons, but you have to be good to pull that off and have credentials.</p>
<p>If you truly feel that you’re behind, can you defer your admission to Westminster College? You might want to take a gap year and get your piano up to the level to where you don’t feel that others are so much better than you. The kids you are wanting to teach deserve someone who really wants to be there-which you definitely do- so you need to work on your skills at this point.</p>
<p>minimusicalgirl,
You sound like you have a ton of passion and that is a wonderful thing. Don’t let anyone take that passion and drive away from you.</p>
<p>You write “I just feel so behind compared to other people”. Life is not a race. It is a journey and everyone has set-back and obstacles at different points in their lives. Yours just happens to have come earlier. Do not let that deter you. Instead use that passion to work hard and make that dream of yours happen. Because in the end there might be people who are ahead of you now who do not have the passion or drive. Or there might be people who are ahead but then come up against their own obstacles.</p>
<p>I can’t advice you on choosing schools or dealing with auditions. But there is no reason why a gap year would make you ineligible for scholarships. The head of our town’s nationally recognized music department took several years and worked. He worked to save money while also doing gigs, then he took off and came to Berklee. My son’s private music teacher in HS was from a small midwest town. He also did the same thing. He said he could not imagine doing anything but music but was not ready to get accepted to conservatory when he graduated. He eventually ended up at NEC for undergrad and grad and now is on the faculty at Berklee.</p>
<p>You can do it…you just have to stop listening to those who somehow treat HS and college as though it is a railroad track and if you fall off of it there is no getting back on.</p>
<p>Don’t give up! It sounds like you are a hard worker. A music teacher at our local high school showed me a study that showed that hard work even more than talent can push a musician forward. That said, why do you want to do music education? Are people pressuring you prematurely to have a career goal? You can attend college as an undecided if you want. And majors and careers don’t always mathc…</p>
<p>I looked up both Westminster and Slippery Rock and can see that even though you are accepted, you have to audition for the major (or minor), whether BM or BA program. The auditions for the BA might be less stressful and demanding: would you consider that?</p>
<p>Westminster looks like a great school, and you are accepted with scholarship. Maybe you should go there regardless of how well you do on the audition. It is always possible that once on campus at an excellent college like that, you will find other interests, and be happy participating in music as an extracurricular.</p>
<p>It is also possible that you could work on piano while there, and apply to the major later. Have you checked that out? Is the major only available to incoming freshmen? Call admissions and ask.</p>
<p>Slippery Rock has a dizzying number of different specific majors in music areas, including specific areas of music education. If you back up, again, why are you so focused on being a music teacher? If you are not sure, I think, just from a brief look, that Westminster might suit your needs better- less specific in its focus.</p>
<p>If the auditions make you anxious, you could just not do them. That’s one option. Or you could see auditions this year as practice for another year. Or you could do your best and see what happens. But it is clear to me that you can go to Westminster without auditioning right now, and that might be a really good option.</p>
<p>Sure you could go to community college and work hard on piano, but you can do that while at Westminster too. </p>
<p>The other thing you could do is go to a non-audition school and major in music, then do music ed for graduate school. West Virginia Wesleyan looks like a great option too, with a general BA in music that encompasses learning to listen, music of other cultures, as well as theory and some performance.</p>
<p>I think you should step back for a minute and realize you are in a really good position, with acceptances to two really good schools. I understand that you are nervous about auditions. I think you should audition with a what the heck attitude (working hard of course) and go to Westminster whether you do well in the audition or not. Or you could apply to West Va. Wesleyan, but you are already in two really good schools.</p>
<p>You could go to community college and practice and work hard and then audition next year if you are truly fixed on being a music teacher. But you could study music and liberal arts at either of your schools and see what happens. If you work on piano or can get back your ability to sing, then you can perhaps audition after freshman year, if you find out that is an option.</p>
<p>In the meantime, I think seniors in high school, however passionate about a certain subject, need to realize their needs and wants may change, and Westminster looks like a great school to attend while exploring your goals. Perhaps you will find your way to be a music teacher, but it is also very possible that you will discover some new passions to add to you love of music, which can be done outside of school if need be.</p>
<p>Please be aware that PA state universities are having major money problems that have resulted in the closure of several schools of music. Edinboro and Clarion are both closing their music schools. Clarion is also dropping its education department! They are telling their students to avoid both Slippery Rock and IUP. Both are expected to have major layoffs or closures next year. Westminster is one of the places many are looking to transfer.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the motivation and advice!
I did realize, however, that I let out a few good explanations, so I’ll explain further.</p>
<p>1) Why did I kick out Slippery Rock? I kicked it out because when I went to their music major for a day, they emphasized how they only take 1 in 5 (or similar) people that audition, and it was pretty much rubbed in our face. The majority of people that I’m around that go there are relatively snobby (no offence, I’m not saying everybody is) and I just feel like I wouldn’t fit in.</p>
<p>2) My Westminster scholarship: My choir teacher offered me the Jerb Miller scholarship which a teacher can give to a student every year if they went to Westminster. It’s a pretty decent amount, and I have to know I want it by October 31. I’m seeing WVWC on Monday, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to go with Westminster anyway and see if I can take lessons on the side, thanks to your suggestions.</p>
<p>3) My jaw problem: My orthodontist made me wear rubber bands on one side of my jaw for over a year, which was too long, and it shifted my jaw and messed up cartilage. It’s similar to TMJ but I guess it’s not since it’s not bone. He told me I got it because I sang, but that’s obviously not the case. It has gotten better since my freshman year, but it’s still slightly difficult.</p>
<p>4) Why do I still want to major in music even if I don’t think I’m good enough? (I did tell the piano professor at Westminster my piano repertoire and she said it was very good, as long as I memorized a movement of the Clementi sonatina.) Music is the only thing I’ve ever felt like I’m even slightly good at. It’s the only thing I have a passion to learn and succeed in. If you ask anybody I’ve worked with musically, they’ll tell you I give all the effort I have to do my best. I’m always the one in choir that gets everybody excited, even for that one piece that the whole class groans when we have to take it out. I learned how to play tuba in 2 months before band camp started (and I never marched prior), and my band director knew I had the passion to learn everything to the best of my ability, even though I had a death in the family while I was trying to learn. My music classes are truly the only things that got me through my hard times, and I want to be able to pass that on to other kids. Because of all the musical activities I do, people would be shocked to see that I wouldn’t go to school for music. I’m also extremely good at learning the basics of instruments quickly, which would come in handy for learning all the instruments. I just never realized this until my junior year, which makes it difficult now to catch up to others my age. </p>
<p>I don’t know if anything else needs clarified, but that’s about it :)</p>
<p>You say in your reply to everyone’s excellent suggests that ‘it’s the only thing I have a passion to learn and succeed in’. I think you sell yourself short and your skills extend well beyond the music room, or would if you let them :)</p>
<p>Your own words let us know you’re a team leader, a great motivator, quick to learn, extremely hard working. Music has let you express those qualities. But they’re not dependent on studying music. </p>
<p>My own concerns echo some of the above.
- Being unwilling/afraid/ avoiding auditions as a musician seems to say you lack confidence in your own abilities. A future school might want you to audition for them as part of the recruitment process. You’d also be performing as an accompaniment in front of large groups of people frequently as part of the job. It’s like an artist not being ready for the criticism of a show or portfolio view. I also think a year out to take extra lessons, practice tons, maybe join a casual band or two will stand you in better stead. It also gives you longer to find a college that is the right fit and the better you do in auditions, the more likely it is to get better financial aid. As others above had said, there’s NO rush to get into college, any college. Take pride in your musicianship. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you can afford the Slippery Rock audition, I’d still go for it. Go for the experience and for the feedback (if they can give any). You can interpret the talk from the school as snobby. However, maybe they’re wanting to prepare you for the difficult, hardened mindset that you need to prepare get in. By thinking you can’t do it, you’ve self-denied yourself admission as effectively as the college themselves. </p></li>
<li><p>You need to get a second opinion on your jaw and the effects on singing. It’d be like a football player having a dodgy knee and thinking if they ignore it they’ll still make pros. If the news isn’t great, it’s just a bump in the road and something to be imaginatively worked around. </p></li>
<li><p>Your own assessment of your playing ability seems to be lots of enthusiasm and breadth, but not enough depth/quality. You want the Westminster person to say ‘Excellent’. Hence the year out suggestion yet again. It might also negatively affect your GPA if you struggle in music classes as a result.</p></li>
<li><p>I’m particularly concerned when you say ’ Because of all the musical activities I do, people would be shocked to see that I wouldn’t go to school for music’. Lots of people do activities in one area that they don’t follow through in college. I feel there’s a lot of expectation on you to go down the narrow ‘music’ major route perhaps because it’s an easy label to put on someone. Don’t just follow due to a lack of research and/or imagination. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Some alternative suggestions. YMMV.
Using your music in a practical way- Music therapy. Elementary school teacher. Special needs teacher. Working with adults with learning disabilities. Working with elderly in a care home setting. Evening gigging solo or with a band/group. </p>
<p>Using your knowledge/ love of music- working for a musical instrument company or showroom selling, working for a recording company, working in radio/tv/film/theatre</p>
<p>Using your ‘soft skills’- school teacher (again), sales, management, personnel/hr, advice work, college administration, school administration, law enforcement, nursing</p>
<p>And I’m sure I’m missing out dozens of other options that you might consider.</p>
<p>I think Westminster looks like a wonderful opportunity, with scholarship, whether you major or minor in music, or not, whether you audition or not, whether you do well in the audition or not. There are so many ways to continue to do music.</p>
<p>I know a young man at Harvard who is a concert violinist, already, and is not majoring in music. I think he is doing literature.</p>
<p>You sound like a smart, hard-working person and once you are on campus, I hope you can explore many subjects. College does not have to be about career, either.</p>
<p>My daughter went to a conservatory prep school in later high school and most of those students are not majoring in music, actually. You are not predestined for anything.</p>
<p>Feel free, in other words. Feel free from rigid expectations and unneeded pressures (though pay attention to those that are unavoidable). If, with that freedom, you are absolutely sure you want to do music, then follow that path, but I think it is healthy to give other alternatives a chance, too.</p>
<p>Let us know. I am hoping to hear you are going to Westminster!</p>
<p>Just thought that I would let you guys know that I am 99% sure I am going to go to Westminster. My simple scholarship is too easy to pass up. Thank you for all your advice!</p>
<p>One note on something you said, you said in comparison to other people, you feel like you don’t measure up, etc…I think you need to understand that that may not have any bearing on how good you really all, it seems endemic to music students in general. My S went to a top level pre college prop program, with kids with some staggering accomplishments, and they constantly questioned themselves, said they worried they weren’t good enough, etc. My S’s good friend is incredibly accomplished, has won major awards and won won of the most prestigious international competitions there is on the instrument, and yet he says he feels very self conscious practicing where other kids in the studio can hear him, when he is by far one of the best students in the studio…in other words, it goes with the territory.</p>
<p>Minimusicalgirl, good luck! Even though I don’t know you, I am really happy you may be going to Westminster. It looks like a great school no matter what you end up doing, and I am sure that one way or the other music will be in your life, and I hope it is in a way that is fulfilling for you.</p>
<p>My DD attends Slippery Rock, she is a junior. From what I understand about the budget cuts they are really not going to be as huge as what people are led to believe. They are not going to replace professors who are retiring for instance. They are tightening the purse strings but not looking to cut programs. Unless I am totally wrong in what I have read. It is a wonderful University and so reasonably priced- we are out of state and it is less expensive than our in-state Ohio schools. I have been so happy with her choice. My advice is to audtion, let the school decide whether or not you are good enough. Don’t make that decision for them. And if nothing else, the more you audition the better you become.</p>
<p>As a graduate of Westminster I may be able to tell you a few things about the school, the area’s music programs and auditioning in general. At Westminster, your audition is a formality. Dress professionally, be respectful and try your best and you will be accepted. The nice thing about Westminster is they will take people at all levels and give you a chance to study music. I came in and was accepted with no formal vocal training or theory classes. I knew at least two piano majors who didn’t start playing until 8th or 9th grade. I knew a bunch of vocalists who never had taken private lessons. They have some nice faculty, and it’s a more casual music program. I would recommend it for someone double majoring in music, because you can be involved in another dept and still get your double major in music. </p>
<p>That being said, I think if you are serious about musical development or are considering music education, there are much better programs in the area. Slippery Rock has a very strong music ed program and music program in general. While I would stay away from YSU for music education, the head of their voice dept is very good. Duq and IUP, while a little further away also produce really excellent music teachers and musicians. If you are looking to get in someplace and study music and just get the degree, Westminster is a nice place to do it. If you are looking for a rigorous musical education with varied experiences that you’ll be really proud of, I would say definitely look someplace else. </p>
<p>Also, don’t necessarily stick to the area. There are fantastic programs out there a little ways that take people of all levels. I am a BIG fan of Nazareth College in Rochester for one, you get so many opportunities. If you go to community college for a year, be very careful, none in the immediate area of western PA have solid music programs, you’d be better off spending 5 years at a state school to do the same. However, Schenectady County Community College in NY has a good music program and is a great place to inexpensively do some remedial work before transferring to a great school </p>
<p>I really hope some of this is helpful! Best of luck =D</p>
<p>Even though it’s rather late, I could give a slight update:
I went to Music Major for a Day at Westminster and really enjoyed myself, but I’m still not sure if I would be ready to audition. I am also accepted at West Virginia Wesleyan College, which requires no audition. However, I have more money at Westminster and I’m not sure if I would like to travel 3 hours away from home.</p>