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I have started to look at grad schools and i would like to start making some campus visits and meeting with professors. Should I just start e-mailing professors and asking if i can talk with them and possibly arrange a meeting? Looking at some bigger schools in the NY area, ASU, Kansas University and UMKC. Thanks for the advice!

At least for KU and UMKC, probably for any potential grad school, call them or email directly. Don't be shy! Scott Watson and Tom Stein are both great guys.

Your professor is the MOST important aspect of going to grad school. Find one that will make time to talk to you, listen to you, play for you, play with you and inspire you. DONT settle.

Many/most profs will want to meet their potential grad cantidates in person, so making that connection is expected. Dont feel bashful or timid. Go for it and show them what you've got. When you meet them and play for them (dont let the audition be the first time they hear or meet you!!), be frank and ASK what you need to work on to get into that school. If they are cool, they'll be straight up with you and tell you.

Keep in mind, that THEY are as much as a cantidate for you as they are for them. Look at it that way.... and find one that you vibe with. That's crucial.

Study with someone who preferably IS or at least HAS succeeded at the career you are seeking AND has a proven track record of students winning positions in jobs you are seeking. Orchestral, study with the best orchestral player/teacher there is. Band, find a former bandsman. Teaching, ditto.

You get the point. Shoot for the stars. It is vital to get coaching from the VERY BEST in the business if you want to be the VERY BEST in the business.

BTW, your short list could use some expansion IMO.

Right on Sean.

AND FWIW, I was Sean's direct successor in grad school.

A little more pontification... I was having this discussion with someone recently, so it is is sorta forefront in my mind...

Again it's all about vibing with the right teacher... mostly. Environment is part of it as well.

IU is of course tops and is obviously one to consider. The only thing it has against it is its lack of proximity to a major city. If someone is going to go into the orch or band audition world, location is not quite as much of an issue. But, if someone is going to get into a freelance or creative scene, it is better to go to finish up at a school that is right in the heart of a major city.

I've always been a proponent of that -- saying that someone learns a lot from their environment and the players around them (not just tuba players either), ensembles that they can listen to LIVE, and the overall proficiency of the musical community they live in.

Another HUGE aspect -- thinking of HOW you are going to exit school and enter into the professional world.

One good thing about IU thought is that you will be immersed in a huge pool of some of the better students around. That's an important aspect too -- being challenged and supported by your peers.


All these things are points to consider. It's a big EXPENSIVE decision.

Many factors go into choosing a grad school. I have my master's degree in tuba from a theological seminary. They required study in more fields than just music. I took enough classses to be certified as a hospital chaplain. I now use that training to work with emotionally disturbed teenagers as my day job. So if you go to a school that tells you that you need a nonrelated minor, don't moan. It might be the best thing that ever happened to you!