I need advice for a different school please

[Arkietuba]

Okay, point taken, when you think of Arkansas, music isn't probably the first thing you think of (unless it's folk or blues). And yes, more data would back my point up, but seeing as how I'm a lazy college student I don't feel like doing any research. But, some more info on our program...some of our saxophonists go to the Bordeux Conservatory in Paris (the best saxophone school in the world) after they tap Jackie Lamar's knowledge and some of are students are employed by the cruise ship industry for the summer and fall. Some of our students are already gaining fame for composing and one of my friends has already written and recorded a movie score. Just b/c you don't hear other music students from the Univ. of AR or AR Tech praising our program doesn't mean that we are not the best...just ask their instructors. If you want to teach anything (especially music), UCA has the most reputable education program in the south (no jokes please).

[TexTuba]

Okay, point taken, when you think of Arkansas, music isn't probably the first thing you think of (unless it's folk or blues). And yes, more data would back my point up, but seeing as how I'm a lazy college student I don't feel like doing any research. But, some more info on our program...some of our saxophonists go to the Bordeux Conservatory in Paris (the best saxophone school in the world) after they tap Jackie Lamar's knowledge and some of are students are employed by the cruise ship industry for the summer and fall. Some of our students are already gaining fame for composing and one of my friends has already written and recorded a movie score. Just b/c you don't hear other music students from the Univ. of AR or AR Tech praising our program doesn't mean that we are not the best...just ask their instructors. If you want to teach anything (especially music), UCA has the most reputable education program in the south (no jokes please).

Dude, we get it. You love your school. More power to you. Question: do they give you extra scholarship money for sounding like an infomercial?

Ralph

[WoodSheddin]

I have never known of the top student in a studio to study with the GTA.

[Dennis K.]

I studied Euph. w/ Jeff Jarvis @ East Carolina University, Greenville NC. Smaller program, Lots of playing if you want it. Fabulous teacher. Nice campus, too.

[Paul S]

Oberlin College & Conservatory of Music in Oberlin Ohio.

Very beautiful and quiet little campus.

Tuba teacher: Ron Bishop - enough said

[Kevin Hendrick]

Look at Michigan State. Phil Sinder is a great player as well as an exceptional teacher.

Indeed he is! That description, mind you, also fits Deanna Swoboda at Western Michigan -- hope you hear back from them soon.

[Arkietuba]

Okay, point taken, when you think of Arkansas, music isn't probably the first thing you think of (unless it's folk or blues). And yes, more data would back my point up, but seeing as how I'm a lazy college student I don't feel like doing any research. But, some more info on our program...some of our saxophonists go to the Bordeux Conservatory in Paris (the best saxophone school in the world) after they tap Jackie Lamar's knowledge and some of are students are employed by the cruise ship industry for the summer and fall. Some of our students are already gaining fame for composing and one of my friends has already written and recorded a movie score. Just b/c you don't hear other music students from the Univ. of AR or AR Tech praising our program doesn't mean that we are not the best...just ask their instructors. If you want to teach anything (especially music), UCA has the most reputable education program in the south (no jokes please).

Dude, we get it. You love your school. More power to you. Question: do they give you extra scholarship money for sounding like an infomercial?

Ralph

Yeah, yeah, I went overboard on this discussion. And as for the scholarship, I'm currently petitioning to get it back after failing a music class in which the instructor made it abundantly clear that they didn't like the tuba/tuba players. And yes, funny that Dennis K. mentioned Jeffery Jarvis...he's now the head of the music dept. here at UCA.

[Dennis K.]

I didn't realize he had left ECU. The semester I spent with him greatly helped me get into NEC.

[TWScott283]

Luke,

Small school, great music program, great area for low brass players, lots of opportunities, 30 minutes away from one of the finest orchestras in the world (Cleveland), good area brass band (with a brit director: Keith Wilkinson, a eupher), many fine regional orchestras (Akron, Canton, Mansfield) in area, wonderful teacher: Tucker Jolly (former Coast Guard tubist), great band program (Bob Jorgensen, former euph soloist with Army Field Band – let’s face it, euphers make the best band directors!). If this sounds good, I’d check out the University of Akron of Ohio.

I have no hesitation in recommending this school to you. It sounds like it’s JUST what you’re looking for. It’s been a wonderful place for me (I’ve just finished my undergrad), and has prepared me very well for the next step. Furthermore, I doubt there is one person in the business who has a bad thing to say about Tucker Jolly from a teaching, playing or personal standpoint. It’s your job to do some research, but I think you’d be missing out if you didn’t check it out.

Good luck,
Travis

[sprithammereuph]

Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas is a great place to study music tuba, euphonium, or trombone. Johnathon Whitaker is a wonder low brass player and teacher. Hope this helps.

[Chuck(G)]

Just wondering why no one ever suggests the University of Regina with John Griffiths. Prolly cheaper than the stateside equivalent.

http://www.uregina.ca/finearts/music/people.html

[MaryAnn]

I have a pet peeve with GTAs doing teaching. Teaching is an art, and I find it more than weird that the students who demonstrate that they are the most in need of teaching (the ones who don't have high technique levels) are .... given to the GTA to "teach." So, if you're actually in need of a teacher...you don't get one; if you've demonstrated that you don't need a teacher, because you're already so fabulously good, then you get one.

It should be the other way around; the worst students would benefit most by having access to a wonderful teacher, and the best students don't need one.

Does not make sense. No offense to people out there who are GTAs, but come on....college students without a lot of experience generally just don't know what they're doing in terms of teaching. It takes a long time to learn how to be an effective teacher.

MA

[quinterbourne]

You don't want the top-notch player/professor teaching scales and such to weak students. This is rather... basic... and can easily be taught by someone of lesser skill (hence the use of the GTA).

The top-notch player/professor should be teaching the "finer nuances" of playing (ie phrasing). Every student, even the fabulously good ones, have stuff to work on and can learn from a GREAT teacher.

The weaker students, who study with a GTA, have INCENTIVE to work hard, to become a better player, to study with the top-notch player/professor.

[Tubaman485]

Why not stay with the school you are at? Obviously they are gonna hire a new professor and for all you know it may end up being a good thing. I know exactly what you are going through as I have the same situation at my school and I have known this person and been a student of his for almost 10 years. I think you should give it one more semester see how it goes and then make your decision. Its only a suggestion but who knows what will happen?


JB

[Slamson]

Maybe I've missed a message or two on this thread, but it appears that at some point it would be good to know more about what you plan on doing with your instrument. There are obviously lots of great teachers available, most within a day's drive of where you are, but are you interested in being mostly a player or also a teacher? Orchestra or service band? Sometimes the appeal of a school is the combination of having a good teacher along with outlets for your playing - for example, when i was at the University of Louisville (pre-JJ, by the way) i got to play a lot with or for my teacher with the Louisville Orchestra, which really sold me on orchestral playing. Where i teach, there are a couple of regional orchestras that respect the program enough to use my students for subs and/or 2nds. As you've noted, large schools aren't necessarily better at this. Most teachers have connections somewhere - it's up to you to decide which teacher (and which connections) work best for you.

[windshieldbug]

How about following your (former) prof to Rutgers? Scott Mendoker teaches there, who has quite a credential list!

[djwesp]

As good a player as Ben is, Dr. Young simply cannot be beat when it comes to teaching his students in his studio and as assistant band director. As far as I know there are only 2 tuba students from UCA on here and I post a lot more that the other one. AR Tech is good, but they just don't draw the best musicians and the Univ. of AR is basically more style over substance. For tuba/euph...UCA is the best choice in AR plus (since AR is a fairly poor state) tuition is very reasonable (we have lots of out of state students).

Ben is a good teacher. I think he is one of the best teachers in the state.


However stating that UCA is the best choice for Tuba players in the state of Arkansas would be far from clear cut.

-In 2002 Arkansas Tech University had 12 tubas. 8 Tubas were Arkansas All State Musicians. 6 Of them had held honor band positions for at least two years in high school. The 7th chair tuba player was First Chair Oklahoma All-State for two years.
-In 2003 Arkansas Tech had 8 tubas. One tuba graduating to a Graduate Assistance at Eastman. 5 of the players were 1st band All Stators. 2 of the players were former 1st chair all staters.
-In 2004 Arkansas Tech once again had 12 tubas. 8 tubas were all state musicians, 5 1st Band All Stators.

In the past 4 years a total of 20 different tubist, with well over the majority being all state musicians, passed through the doors of Arkansas Tech.

So, your next question is... what does all state have to do with anything? It is used because comparisons are hard to find when no competitive activity exists in the state to determine tuba proficiency in college. If the majority of All State Tubists go to Arkansas Tech, would it be incorrect to assume the studio is superior to that of UCA?

Andy "Volta" Anders is a widely respected tuba teacher. More known for tuba photography of the tuba greats, and work with Schilke. He has developed and promoted a reputation as an outstanding teacher in the state. Anders was the Principal Tuba in the ASO for quite some time, has countless articles in print (including first printing of the famous "Tuba Source" book), has graduated 4 students that are now college studio professors, 5 into professional ensembles, and several into graduate studies at Eastman, Kansas, Ball State, Julliard, and Kentucky.



I like your style M. Smith. With guys like you, it won't take much longer until the UCA studio is a force to be reckoned with. But right now the studio has a lot of dead weight, an overworked instructor (but good), and is a long way away from being head and shoulders above everyone else.

[Arkietuba]

djwesp, I agree, most All-Stater's (tuba players that is) go to Tech. But, UCA is growing faster than any other college in the state. Our student enrollment has almost doubled to 12,000 students and we're expecting more and more freshman each year. Our music dept. is growing and plans are underway to build a new music building connected to our performance hall and a new marching band facility including our own private practice field. Our school is also transfering from Division II to Division I Athletics. Our tuba music majors have incresed from 1 (me) two years ago to 5 now, and we're expecting more this year. Now, we're pulling in the All-Stater's. We have 16 tuba players from the past year and 8 of them are all-stater's and the incoming freshman class includes a couple of all-state tuba players. We're hiring an athletic band director and he's a recent master's student from Oklahoma State. In his words, "UCA is a very exciting place to be right now".