Tuba Schools

[joebob]

As far as costs go, full-time tuition for non-resident freshmen:
Kentucky: $6,985.00
Michigan: $14,471!

Make sure you look at all the factors involved before choosing.

-Rob

The only way you can find out what your cost will be for any school is to apply for admission and to apply for financial aid and any and all available scholarships. A large group of students at any given school pay much less than the listed price for full tuition.

[Tubaguyjoe]

I feel it's my duty to start the usual fight:

........ .......... ..........

Let me join the fight: That's all sensible advice!

Does anyone have figures on what percent of people with music degrees actually make their livings in music (either performing or teaching)? I don't think it's a big number. Students should make sure they get an education that will help prepare them for Plan B, if full-time music doesn't work out.

Meanwhile, if you don't wind up majoring in music, make sure you take lots of music courses -- I wish I had.

Cheers,
Allen

I find it best NOT to have a plan B. Music is too hard, if you have a plan B, you will take it eventually. You have to keep your focus---shoot straight for gold and MAKE it work. This may be a little harsh, but my plan A will work.

[jeopardymaster]

There is already a great deal of good advice in this thread. But let me add another point.

If the school has a very strong teacher of one instrument, but lacks the overall depth to field a number of good ensembles - orchestras, bands, wind ensembles, brass choirs, quintets - many players of that one instrument will find themselves limited as to playing opportunities. In this case size does matter, as does quality.

[CrappyEuph]

joebob said:

The only way you can find out what your cost will be for any school is to apply for admission and to apply for financial aid and any and all available scholarships. A large group of students at any given school pay much less than the listed price for full tuition.

This is very true, specifically at Northwestern. If you audition at NU and Professor Martin admits you, the financial aid office will work very closely with you to make sure you are awarded enough grants, loans, and work-study allotments that you'll be able to afford tuition. If it weren't for financial aid, Northwestern's music school would have about 10 students.

Moral of the story: don't let scary tuition figures keep you from auditioning - you probably won't have to pay that much.

- Jamie

[windshieldbug]

I find it best NOT to have a plan B. Music is too hard, if you have a plan B, you will take it eventually. You have to keep your focus---shoot straight for gold and MAKE it work. This may be a little harsh, but my plan A will work.

For me, keeping focus was key. I went with plan A only, then found out that, for the time, plan A was going to take longer than I originally thought. So I developed a plan Ab to keep me continuing on plan A.

I think that everyone finds their own way. Keeping the proper focus at the right time is the key.

[sloan]

I find it best NOT to have a plan B. Music is too hard, if you have a plan B, you will take it eventually. You have to keep your focus---shoot straight for gold and MAKE it work. This may be a little harsh, but my plan A will work.

For me, keeping focus was key. I went with plan A only, then found out that, for the time, plan A was going to take longer than I originally thought. So I developed a plan Ab to keep me continuing on plan A.

I think that everyone finds their own way. Keeping the proper focus at the right time is the key.

Focus is certainly good. But...

The "But..." is that the most common mistake I see being made by college students these days (not just music majors) is pre-mature commitment and over-specialization. Undergraduate years should include a major *breadth* component - students should explore things that they've never heard of before. The "major" should be a focal point - but not the ONLY activity.

If nothing else, remember that music is about communicating. Nothing is so boring as a superb communicator who has nothing to say.

In other words: "get a life".

[windshieldbug]

If nothing else, remember that music is about communicating. Nothing is so boring as a superb communicator who has nothing to say

That be true. No matter what part of the stage you're on.

[notlap]

Hello,
I don't normally chime in on these things, but someone earlier brought up the University of Kentucky and I thought I would add my two cents. I began as a masters student and continued with my doctorate at UK and it has been a great experience. Despite all of the great opportunities for graduate students, Dr. Gray does prefer to have a decent sized community of undergraduates, and he would like to bring in a couple more tuba players over the next couple years. While I certainly can not speak with specifics, it has been my experience that UK is quite competitive with financial aid. Some but not all undergrads will study with the TA at some point, but Dr. Gray always teaches freshman.
I have had the privledge of teaching for him this semester while he is on sabbatical (he will without a doubt be back in the fall) and I can tell you that the community of students in the tuba/euph studio can not be beat. Great people!

You have many great options within your own state and the Eastern (half) of the US. Good luck!


George Palton
Doctoral Teaching Assistant, University of Kentucky
Instructor of Tuba, Marshall University