sailracer90 wrote:I'm going to LSU next year as a tuba performance major (I plan on getting my doctorate, so those of you who want me to do education, Ive made my mind up) What do you all think of the school and what suggestions do you have for me going in to music school?
Remember - you asked...
Everyone else will tell you to practice hard, and exclaim about how wonderful the studio is. I'm going to tell you something more important.
College should *broaden* you, and present you with opportunities that you haven't thought about, yet.
so...look at the requirements for your undergraduate degree and do the bare minimum in your major. Don't misunderstand - you should *excel* in your major, but don't take a single course more than absolutely required. Do less, and do it exceedingly well. After all, you say that you are pointing at a doctorate - and to do that you will eventually take every course offered. The point is: you don't have to fill up your undergraduate years with courses better taken in grad school.
Look at the requirements for courses outside your major. Plan on finding *something* outside your major that interests you enough to take a few more courses beyond the bare minimum. Learn a little about philosophy, physics, mathematics, poetry, computers, economics, creative writing (exercise: read a short story and then improvise a 10 minute solo telling that story on your tuba). Wherever possible, take courses that emphasize modes of thought (as opposed to "training").
Learn how to approach these other fields. One of them may become a "hobby" (or a more serious interest) to counterbalance the workaday music stuff that (you think) will become your career. You'll have a lifetime to read poetry - but it's amazing how much help it is to take ONE course in poetry as an undergrad.
The music will take care of itself. You've got your required major courses as an undergrad, your courses in grad school, and a lifetime career - eventually, you'll get around to just about everything directly related to music performance. DO NOT WASTE the opportunity you will have in the next 4 years to learn about other things. This may be your last chance to get quality time with a professional in those other fields. You'll have a lifetime of contact with professionals in music performance.
Remember - degrees in music performance will give you the skills to communicate with other people. Your learning and experience outside of music will give you something interesting to say.
Oh...and finally....just in case that music performance doesn't work out - wouldn't it be better to be *attracted* by something else, rather than being repelled (or rejected) by the music performance career? It's much better to have a "step up" choice rather than a "fall back".
