Hi all,
I hope if you're reading this and you've been through the graduate school thing that you'll leave some comments with your thoughts on my school choices/imput about the schools. After meeting with Ostrander today about grad school stuff, I'm more confused about where I'd like to go for grad school, but I also have a bit more direction as to what places might be good for me. Here are the schools I'm looking at; the plan right now is to persue a degree in trombone performance AND wind conducting.
1. University of Iowa
2. University of Indiana
3. Eastman School of Music
4. University of Austin, TX
5. University of WI-Madison
Initially Rice University was on this list, but after talking with both PAO and Becker, it would seem that the opportunity for conducting at Rice is very very limited and I wouldn't be getting closer to my goal for teaching. Performance opportunity would be great, but that isn't my entire goal (I REALLY want to teach high school or college). The performance degree is just to keep me on track with my playing. So it sounds like Rice will probably be off the list, even though that will mean more long distance dating.
The U of Iowa would be great because I have heard good things about the trombone prof there (hopefully I'll be getting a lesson sometime around Thanksgiving-time) and I know the quality of Dr. Heidel's ensembles and conducting techniques. There are multiple ensembles in Iowa, not just orchestra like Rice, and there is a good chance I could get some scholarship money or a TA position. The down side to Iowa is the floods have destroyed the music building so the facility isn't great, and also the fact that I've already worked with Dr. Heidel for 4 years at college. It might be good to get a different experience/conductor.
Indiana was highly recommended by Dr. O for me; although I'm not sure how I'd feel about playing in a studio with SO many trombonists. The school has a good reputation for musicians and the players who come out of there sound really good, however it is expensive and I don't know how I would respond to Carl's teaching (I've never taken a lesson with him before).
Eastman was recommended to me by PAO and Megumi, so I've begun seriously considering auditioning there again. Pros to Eastman are the name (GREAT music school reputation), and the trombone choir/studio has always been strong there. Not as many gigging opportunities here though, and it is VERY expensive to go to school. Don't know if I'd like to study with Marcellus enough to justify paying that much each year; plus the cost of living.
University of Austin is one I've recently been looking into. Their trombone choir sounded GREAT at ETW; lots of very strong players there. I also like that there are endless opportunities to teach down in TX, which isn't the case with some of these other schools. The name of the school isn't great compared to the others; plus I'd be living down in Texas (not great).
Madison is one that Dr.O mentioned today. I heard back from Hetzler immediately after emailing him and he told me a bit about the studio and his mentality. Lots of opportunities to play in many different settings and scholarship money available. Downside is its UW-Madison; not a great school for music anymore (compared to many), there are no TA positions available for music and it is really close to home. Not sure how I feel about this one...
So there is my situation; I'd appreciate any feedback anyone might offer.
With love and grad school planning,
Rachel
Best Hydrangea For Heavy Shade
2 years ago
Go to NEC and major in avant-garde trombone soundscapes.
ReplyDeleteSeriously...
Don't sell UW-Madison short. At the very least it could either be your "warm-up" audition or a "plan B", and you might even find it to be a nice place. If I went for any more additional schooling (fat chance) I would definately consider UWM.
Iowa - by the time you start, I would imagine the facilities will be more along where they need to be. Plus, those don't matter so much. You have worked with Heidel a lot, true. But, what remains is that he's the shit and he knows what and how you do things, and can put you where you want to be. TA is a big thing. If you like the trombone prof, then this is probably a great place. Being able to do both conducting and trombone, which you want to do is an obvious benefit.
ReplyDeleteEastman - great name. I was impressed with the school. Cost of living isn't too bad in Rochester. Marcellus is awesome. You need to see what you can do about trombone and conducting. Can you do it there? It is freaking expensive and the full-ride scholarship I was offered simply doesn't exist, unless all of their upperclassmen and graduate tenor trombones flunk out of school. They may have a TA for you, maybe not.
UT - I really like this school from my first impression. Nat Brickens is the man. It sounds like there is a lot of flexibility in the program for you to do the things you are interested in. Great ensembles and that trombone choir is unbelievable. Big plus = people get hired from there. This may be the kind of place you think about for a DMA. I certainly am. Don't undersell "Texas people" as Ostrander put it. It hasn't been as bad as one might think.
IU - Great reputation, but now they are believing in it too much and overhyping it - Keith said a 55% raise in tuition - $85,000 for a STATE school? Give me a break. Lenthe is great, but you would get more fulfillment out of working with Heidel than you would with Stephen Pratt. The tuition there is astronomically high and getting higher. You could move to NYC and go to Juilliard for cheaper with no scholarships. They have also removed guest artists from the budget, so no one visits now. I personally think you could get a lot more bang for your buck by going somewhere else.
Randall Dean is right about Madtown. Good school. Great town.
When in doubt, go to the place where you can do the conducting/trombone thing. That's what you want to do. Don't go somewhere that doesn't have that option. Next, teacher, then ensembles, then TA.
Love you!