<p>S, a junior in HS, plays trombone (and fools around with a couple other things), with particular interest in jazz band and drum corps ("It's NOT marching band, Dad!"). For a few months, he's been saying he wants to go to college for music education, with the goal of being a music teacher in secondary school.</p>
<p>Last night, after a little prompting, it turns out he really just wants to play the trombone, but doesn't think he's good enough for a performance major. The fact is, as far as I can tell, he's above average in talent--maybe top 10%, though not top 1%. But he doesn't have the kind of goal-directed drive that it seems successful performance majors typically have. Also, his only teacher has been his middle school and HS band director, who doesn't really seem to push or stretch him that much. (Then again, S doesn't react well to being pushed.) </p>
<p>It seems he sees music ed. as a way for him to keep playing, without having to be in that top 1%. But it also seems that he doesn't really understand how much work might be involved in getting a teaching certificate at the same time he's getting a music degree (essentially doing a double major). Next item on the agenda is to get him to take a close look at music ed. curricula and requirements at the schools we're considering.</p>
<p>So, how do we figure out what he really wants, and then what he needs to do to pursue that? Anybody have any advice or similar experience they could share?</p>
<p>Your son needs some exposure to different musical activities to help him firm up his plans. </p>
<p>If he wants to get more into jazz maybe you could look into:<br>
--lessons with a jazz trombonist<br>
--summer jazz program<br>
--auditions for all-state/region jazz bands </p>
<p>If he wants to improve his trombone playing in general:
--lessons with professonal trombonist
--summer program for brass players
--auditions for honors bands
--local youth symphony</p>
<p>You're h.s. band director should be able to help you find out what's available locally.</p>
<p>Is drum corps like Cadets and Crossmen? Yea.org has tons of info on those groups.</p>
<p>He also needs to take a look at the audition requirements for trombone for various music programs. Sometimes the repertoire is the same for music ed. and performance majors; sometimes it's not. You have a year and a half before auditions. At his age there can be tremendous improvement in that time. </p>
<p>"S doesn't react well to being pushed." I hear ya. Don't. He has to push himself. Or it won't happen.</p>
<p>Is he playing a small bore "jazz" trombone or a large bore tenor (with a trigger)? You need the right horn.</p>
<p>I hesitate to answer a post anymore because you have to fear being attacked.</p>
<p>But I would just say most Juniors in HS really dont know what they want to do. So dont be concerned.</p>
<p>He is probably like most kids that find out they like playing an instrument and all of the sudden its time to make decisions on their future.</p>
<p>Remember most kids switch majors in college. </p>
<p>I would tell you that even if he was in the top 1% of the performers at his instrument, his odds of performing for a living are remote. But if I did say that someone would bring up some player that was last chair in his HS and now is a brilliant performer.</p>
<p>Has he done any teaching or tutoring of the younger players to find out if he enjoys teaching? Remind him most music ed jobs are about teaching not playing.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions, Librarian377. He plays a large-bore tenor (trigger). Plays second trombone in HS jazz ensemble (gold medal winner in state competition). Last year he was second chair in Senior District concert band--is auditioning for both District concert band and jazz band this year. He doesn't expect to make the jazz band, though. Also, has spent 2 years in a Div. III drum corps and is the baritone soloist for them. (Cadets and Crossmen are Div. I--much larger.)</p>
<p>I guess I'm starting to think he needs to look into more advanced instruction, but he doesn't show any inclination to "abandon" the teacher he's had since Day 1. Or is it feasible to add a second teacher, while he continues with his current one?</p>
<p>Don't know if he's attended any summer programs. They are valuable in helping kids decide if they can stand "all music, all the time." He will meet kids there who want to be performance majors, want to be music teachers, and those who just want the occasional gig on the side. He will also get input from a variety of teachers, which is really valuable, too.</p>
<p>There is a thread on here about summer music programs - check it out.</p>
<p>Don't forget, there's always grad school. My D ( who doesn't want to major in music; perhaps minor) is rather undecided about her major. We are quite content to let her use her undergrad years for exploring. </p>
<p>There's also a thread, I think, about music ed. The thing your S might want to be aware of is that music teachers have to reach at least minimal proficiency on all the instruments, -- piano, too. This is a deal breaker for some.</p>
<p>Edit - I've cross-posted with several. Wanted to add a note about teachers - It's often considered unethical to take from two teachers -- unless you've talked about it with both, and both approve. Even when my S took a "sample" lesson with another teacher, he always talked with his primary teacher first. It IS hard to leave a teacher you're fond of. That's also another thread on here. :)</p>
<pre><code> I think you are right. It's time to seriously consider switching teachers. There was some discussion of it in the "Hindsight is 20/20" thread:
</code></pre>
<pre><code> If you are going to switch, do it soon. You want the new teacher to prepare your S for college auditions. If you wait too long, the new guy will be hesitant to make major changes in S's playing just months before the auditions.
</code></pre>
<p>I whole-heartedly second the summer program idea. The time is now to start preparing applications/recordings/portfolios for said programs. These programs put the musician in a music-centered environment and help them decide if that's what they really want. It also helps you, the parent, determine if that type of environment is best for your child too.</p>
<p>There are also many opportunities for non-music majors just to play for "fun" in college and afterwards. S went through the same thing a little, wanted to be a professional musician...but realized in his sr yr that that wasn't a realistic or the best career for him. He is in both jazz band and concert band at college this year, and would like to keep playing as a hobby after college even if it's with a local community band or music ensemble. I like the idea of teaching/tutoring. Perhaps a good way to get some meaningful ECs or volunteer hours along with a bit of self-discovery?</p>
<p>My son didn't decide until his senior year in high school--in the middle of applications--that he wanted to be a music performance major. Before that he thought he would double major and perhaps go into medicine. Lots of kids do not know what they want to do while in high school.</p>
<p>Suggestions: Provide opportunities for him to try out different aspects of music. If he is interested, a summer program would be wonderful. Right now, perhaps he could take on some middle school trombone students. My son started doing that as a sophomore. I don't know if it would work with his schedule, but my son was also able to volunteer with the middle school band. That would give a better idea of what teaching music would be like.</p>
<p>It is sometimes possible to have two private lessons teachers, depending upon how the present teacher feels about it. My son had two teachers as a senior, each of which had strengths in different areas. In fact, his first teacher suggested adding the second, and he would often alternate lessons. Or take with one for awhile when he needed help in a particular area, then with the other for something else...</p>
<p>Basically, all you can do is offer suggestions and let your son decide. It is his future, so only he can figure out what seems best for him.</p>
<p>I think seeing whether teaching is even interesting to your son is very important. Honestly, I thought my son was the last kid in the world who would ever like teaching (he never has had much patience with his sister ;)), but DH and I are constantly surprised at the depth he brings to teaching these younger students. He is a fabulous role model for them, and his experiences in private teaching, as well as helping out with the middle school jazz bands, has really revealed this side of him that none of us knew existed (including him). He has been so inspired by his own directors that it is a route he is now considering, which he never, ever did even two years ago.</p>
<p>Experience is a great revealer that way.</p>
<p>And I echo the summer program idea. My son never wanted to go to camp for classical piano (his primary instrument) but has absolutely adored his past two summers at jazz camp, playing music literally all day, every day, for several weeks. That experience, too, has been so revealing in shaping his future interests and goals.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the good ideas, everybody. I've been suggesting to S (he would call it nagging) that he volunteer to help his trombone teacher with the middle school jazz band. Trying to get some of his own younger students wouldn't be a bad idea, either. Regarding summers, he's committed to a drum corps, so hasn't been to any of the camps (conflict with tour dates). We might try to get him to take a week off this summer, though, to go to a camp.</p>
<p>We'll have to feel our way forward with the teacher issue, I think.</p>
<p>Those are good ideas. My daughter has done both and found out she really liked and was good at teaching and would be happy to do that for supplemental income or as a fall back. Unfortunately her school, performing and college preparation time now is not allowing her to do so this year.</p>
<p>Son had two teachers. One very strict where everything had to be perfectly accomplished and the other pure improv. He needed them both. I will always be amazed at the relationship musicians have with their teachers.They were bonded in ways I'll never understand. Lucky him.</p>