Studying Tuba in Europe

[Josh deVries]

Hoping someone can help...

From someone who's never been to Europe, I literally know nothing about the "tuba scene" in Europe. However, as I start to do my research for potential grad school options, I'd like to look at schools abroad as well as the ones I'm interested in in the U.S.

All I know so far is that German conservatories are free for students and London would also be a great place to consider.

Past that, I know nothing!

Anyone out there actually study in Europe and have some information on teachers that were great?

PM works, or my email: jdevries220@gmail.com" target="_blank

Thanks!

[PMeuph]

Do you speak any foreign languages? Or are you ready to learn some...
That should help you narrow down some choices.

Otherwise, this guy is pretty good, so he must have studied with some decent people. I would start by looking at the schools he studied at.

http://www.thomasleleu.com/biography.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

You could also do that with a other players currently based in Europe.

______
To segue into another topic in another thread. What kind of degree do you want?
There is some variance in the way degrees are conducted in Europse as opposed to the American system....The French system, which you might want to consider, does not offer a Masters degree in music performance, only conservatory diplomas. This seems to be the trend in France, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, Hungary among other places. (Some of these places offer Masters degrees only on the completion of a written thesis)...

Food for thought...

[Michael Bush]

The British government will want to see evidence that you will be able to support yourself financially the entire time. Others may as well.

[elihellsten]

You should consider the Conservatory in Copenhagen. A great school with an amazing teacher in Jens-Björn Larsen.

[Wu299]

To segue into another topic in another thread. What kind of degree do you want?
There is some variance in the way degrees are conducted in Europse as opposed to the American system....The French system, which you might want to consider, does not offer a Masters degree in music performance, only conservatory diplomas. This seems to be the trend in France, Belgium, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Hungary among other places. (Some of these places offer Masters degrees only on the completion of a written thesis)...

Where again?

Depends on if you want to play well or have a degree, too...
However, I suppose studying in western Europe (or not communist-poisoned country) is better for anyone, with possible exception of Russia.

[PMeuph]

To segue into another topic in another thread. What kind of degree do you want?
There is some variance in the way degrees are conducted in Europse as opposed to the American system....The French system, which you might want to consider, does not offer a Masters degree in music performance, only conservatory diplomas. This seems to be the trend in France, Belgium, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Hungary among other places. (Some of these places offer Masters degrees only on the completion of a written thesis)...

Where again?

Depends on if you want to play well or have a degree, too...
However, I suppose studying in western Europe (or not communist-poisoned country) is better for anyone, with possible exception of Russia.

Edited, My bad! ... But, FWIW, I actually do know someone with diplomas from Czechoslovakia, and they are a great player.

[finnbogi]

You should consider the Conservatory in Copenhagen. A great school with an amazing teacher in Jens-Björn Larsen.

Jens Björn-Larsen also teaches at the Musikhochschule in Hannover, Germany.

[PaulTkachenko]

If you play/want to play compensating E flat - head for the UK. If not, best head elsewhere I reckon.

[finnbogi]

Depends on if you want to play well or have a degree, too...
However, I suppose studying in western Europe (or not communist-poisoned country) is better for anyone, with possible exception of Russia.

For the record, most of the eastern European states have now joined the EU and become quite westernised, and they certainly have less of a communist fingerprint than Russia.

As for the quality of the conservatories, I know excellent musicians that studied in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Estonia and Slovenia, to name a few - most were there in post-Soviet times but I also know several people that studied there in the days of the Warsaw Pact.
I guess the same applies everywhere: Hard-working, committed students have a tendency to become good players - the others generally haven't.

[Wu299]

Once again, I point out I live in Czech republic, I have pretty good access to see whats going on. Its not in society - it kepts what was wrong from old times and brought what is wrong from new times; but yeah, this is without any doubt westen-style society.

People in my country can be hard working, but it wont help if they are working on bad stuff. The point is that most teachers here cant teach, and continue to do so in an old-fashioned way. This doesnt work for you? Go on, play these etudes and it MAY be good. It still isnt good? Here, theres another book. Who cares that your mouthpiece is far from center of the lips and one of your cheeks is twice as big as the other when you play.
Im very lucky to have a professor that actually knows his stuff pretty damn well - and where did he learn it? In Poland, Hungary, Austria, ... Being in fact the only conservatory teacher that has students of the same or better (looking at results of international competition in Brno) quality.

People might have the best intents, they might work hard, might be good musicians (which we are!), but if they dont know how to do it, then its all pointless anyway. Me, I do like my country, but there are some things wrong with people in here that will take a very long time to correct.


Taking all this aside, Im glad you like the way we play!

[louish_006]

I am Canadian and did my Masters in Performance at McGill University with Dennis Miller of the Montreal Symphony. I have always wanted to go study in Europe, and here I am. I couldn't be happier. I study in Zurich at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste and my teacher is AnneJelle Visser. The class is a good size. We are 9 and most of them are very good. A student recently won the Nice Philharmonic and another one earlier this year, a job in Germany. The usual schedule is that we meet 6 days a week at 0730 to warm up together and we usually get 2 lessons a week. I have to say that it is very intense and very gratifying as you see improvement very fast. If the choice was to be taken again, I would not hesitate to chose the school as it is extremely good and the class is very strong. I also heard good things about Hannover and Lyon, but my first suggestion is still Zurich. And they offer Master degrees in orchestral performance, solo performance and what they call a specialised Master in performance(solo). Oh and you get to listen to the Tonhalle and the Zurich opera which are both very good.

[loic]

Hello,

in France you can get a master ( or bachelor or doctorate ) degree in music performance:
http://www.cnsmd-lyon.fr/e.php?lsd=5x68&tc=5&lang=" target="_blank
sorry, it's written in french, the english part of the website is "light".
Both Lyon and Paris are very good place for studying.

Loïc.