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I have to apply to college in less than a year, and was thinking of trying to get into Royal Academy of Music or Guildhall School, both in London. Just wondering whether anyone had heard good/bad things about the schools, and what you thought of British school of playing/studying abroad in general.
Thanks!

Royal Academy of Music=world class school. If Patrick Harrild is still the tuba instructor, world class teacher as well.

You could not go wrong studying in London. Some of the best brass playing in the world there. I believe they have 7 or more full time orchestral tubists in that town.

One warning - I tried inquiring about how an American would go about finding info. on British orchestral auditions, applying, etc. about 10 or so years ago. The response I got from the main Union office and what I have heard over the years, the Brits gaurd their orchestra jobs fiercely. I would guess that it is because there are so many good tuba players, yet so few orchestra jobs. It is not like in the USA where, pretty much the same situation exists, yet nationality being the least of the things that would get your resume rejected.

Yes he is as far as I know. Many are over here, or the Wick 3L.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyViqSdAbJo

Ah, regrets. Sam Green had encouraged me to go over there after undergrad in '79. But I was in love... GD b**ch dumped me anyway.

It might help you to know how many American low brass students have attended the RCM in the last 5 years or so?

Cost of living is going to be expensive.

Mojo workin' wrote: One warning - I tried inquiring about how an American would go about finding info. on British orchestral auditions, applying, etc. about 10 or so years ago. The response I got from the main Union office and what I have heard over the years, the Brits gaurd their orchestra jobs fiercely. I would guess that it is because there are so many good tuba players, yet so few orchestra jobs. It is not like in the USA where, pretty much the same situation exists, yet nationality being the least of the things that would get your resume rejected.

that's not someone from the US complaining about protectionism is it?
there are also some good schools and colleges outside London, including Birmingham, Cardiff, Salford, Huddersfield and Glasgow to name a few.

Mojo workin' wrote:the Brits gaurd their orchestra jobs fiercely. I would guess that it is because there are so many good tuba players, yet so few orchestra jobs.

I think it more a matter that workers would not be employed from outside the European Union if someone suitable from within is available. I am sure I have seen orchestral auditions elsewhere within Europe where only EU citizens can apply.

With the UK government pledging to reduce economic inward migration, the situation for outside musicians to get a position in a UK orchestra can only get more difficult.

Are there any non-British tubists in UK orchestras? I don't know of any.

Does The Royal Scottish National Orchestra count as a UK orchestra? If so, American, John Whitener is the tubist there as of 2009.

Not to derail the topic completely... but now I'm curious how many non-American tubists hold positions in American orchestras? I'd guess likewise, very very few...

As far as I recall, the OP inquired about STUDYING abroad in general, and in the UK in particular.
He didn´t state he was going for a job at this time at all.
I can´t see how collecting knowledge / abilities from all over the world can hurt Your resumée.
It sure doesn´t in engineering. Nowadays, it is considered a matter of course to have studied abroad for some time during one´s studies.

1) You show You are willing and able to go through the trouble and organise a life in unfamiliar surroundings. It proves a reasonable amount of stubbornness and self-organisation to make it past immigration formalities and foreign enrollment procedures.
2) Being informed about foreign performance practise won´t hurt, neither.
3) Insight in foreign cultures is ALWAYS a good idea, no matter what exactly You do there.
4) Look at the resumées of well known tubists (Baadsvik, Lind and many others). Many of them proudly list the names of prominent teachers from all over the world.

I´d suggest (but that´s just my personal view, for what it´s worth) You start off at a place easily accessible to You. Having a good basic foundation in music performance might make it easier for You to get Your foot in the door to some fancy studio on the other side of some pond.

Good luck

Hans

As far as I recall, the OP inquired about STUDYING abroad in general, and in the UK in particular.

I wasn't intentionally trying to steer this thread in a different direction. I gave my opinion about what the OP inquired about and then added some related information/opinion.

I agree that gaining experience/knowledge from a different culture can certainly help in one's development as a professional in any field.

If I had it to do over again, I would try to get some musical study or experience in another country. The UK would be one of the first places I would look to do it in.

bloke wrote:What about the language barrier...??

Well there is a language barrier of sorts...

thanks, everybody! i am just thinking about studying now, but if i really like it there it could lead to a career..and all of this about the orchestra jobs is good to know. thanks again!