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Dr. Bruce Berg, Professor of Violin, Baylor University
- Start exploring the
possibilities early. You should start looking for your ideal university,
college, or conservatory experience beginning in your junior year
in high school. Ask your teacher and other musicians for advice
about where to apply and who they would recommend as a major teacher.
Many high school guidance counselors will not have a clue about
where to apply for an excellent musical experience. Don’t
set your sights too low when considering schools. Some of the older,
more established schools have endowments which can supply lots of
“need” scholarship money. At the same time, don’t
set your sights too high and be realistic about your possibilities.
For instance, the acceptance rate at Juilliard is 3%.
- Once you have narrowed
your choices to a minimum of 3 or 4 schools, visit them. Many music
schools have short summer programs where you can get to know the
teachers and the atmosphere of the campus. Insiders tip: If you
express interest in applying to the school, often you will be offered
a scholarship to the summer program. If you are not offered a scholarship,
ask for one. They might say no, but then again they might say yes.
IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK.
- Ask for a lesson.
Some applied instrument teachers will give you a free lesson if
you express interest in applying to their school. Make sure that
you play something you know really well in this lesson. Don’t
play something you just started working on. Remember: This Is Part
Of Your Audition and the impression you make in this first encounter
is very important. In some cases you can get an indication about
your possibilities for acceptance from the teacher.
- Take the SAT early.
If at all possible take a course about how to take the SAT. These
courses can raise your score by as much as 100 points. If you don’t
do well the first time, take it again. Also, if you are not a math-friendly
person take the ACT test. Artistic types do better on this test.
- Keep your grades up!
Academic aid at many schools can make the difference of whether
you can go to the school or not.
- Apply on time. Many
colleges have a deadline of Dec. 1 for completed applications. One
of the most difficult parts of the application is writing the dreaded
essay. Write it early and have your English teacher at school check
it for grammar and sentence structure.
- Seriously consider
the BME or music education degree. Especially in strings and in
Texas you are virtually assured of getting a teaching job upon graduation
with benefits in the public schools at a competitive salary. Some
school systems will pay tuition for you to go on to get a masters
degree.
- Keep after your parents
to do their tax return in January. In many cases the FAFSA will
have to be filled out by Feb. 1. The FAFSA is important for getting
government grants and awards and also for getting need money from
the schools you have applied for.
- THE AUDITION. 2 useful
websites are: http://music.cua.edu/html/gatwood/college_auditions.html
Preparing For College Auditions, for high school string players.
http://www2.smumn.edu/Music/Scholarships/audhelp.html
Preparing for College Scholarship auditions.
- You will probably
need a minimum of 3 selections for your audition. Your teacher will
help you decide on repertoire. Pick repertoire that you can really
play well. Difficult repertoire played poorly makes a bad impression.
Make sure, even if it is not required, that you memorize all selections
and make sure you know all the music. You never know if they will
ask you to skip to the last page. Make sure you arrive in plenty
of time for the audition. Dress well: No jeans and t shirt, but
formal dress is not necessary. In most auditions you will be asked
to choose the first selection. Choose the piece that shows you off
best. In your audition don’t go for notes over being expressive.
The audition committee will be looking for talent and a good technical
setup; they will not be bothered by a few missed notes. If you feel
you played poorly and are talented, the audition committee will
see beyond this. The audition committee may ask if you have any
questions. Be sure to have one or two prepared.
- Decision time: Most
schools will send out acceptances and scholarship packages by April
1. You will have until May 1 to decide in most cases. If a university
you really want to go to offers you too little money to make it
possible for you to attend, ask for more (very politely). They may
say no, but then again….
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