ah, colleges...

[Ryan_Beucke]

Welcome to TubeNet!

I'm sure you're going to get a bunch of replies asking for more information to get a good answers. For example, what area are you looking at in particular? The best thing is usually to visit some schools and have a lesson with their Professor to see if you like them.

I see you're from Interlochen, have you done the summer camp? If you did, you probably know Dr. Charles Guy, he's my teacher at SUNY Potsdam, and he's a great guy (no pun intended.)

[CrappyEuph]

Topping the list of euphonium-friendly schools would have to be the University of North Texas. I'm not just saying that because I go there. There just aren't that many schools that have space in ensembles for 20+ euphonium players (not counting the marching band.)

Other than being "euphonium friendly," you should develop a list of criteria you're looking for in a school, like

- would you prefer to study with a euphoniumist, tubist, or trombonist?
- do you want to go to a school where you will be in the top band as soon as you arrive, or would you rather have to work your way to the top?
- where do you want to live? A music-intensive big city? Close to your family? Somewhere warm?
- are you looking for the intensity of a conservatory or the well-rounded education of a regular university?

and perhaps most importantly...
- what do you see yourself doing after college? Directing junior high or high school band? Freelancing? Teaching at the college level? Playing in a military band? Playing in a professional chamber ensemble? Composing/Arranging? Different teachers have different specialties.

I have yet to meet a teacher that I WOULDN'T want to study with. All of them that I've met are great and would have something unique to offer you. Good luck with your search.

- Crappy

[ufoneum]

I have to second what Jamie said earlier. You need to find out what it is that YOU want out of a university, and then find the place that is best suited to YOUR needs.

I would ask myself the following questions:

1.) How important is it to me that I study with a euphonium player?
2.) Do I want to go to a big school? private school? religeous affil.?
3.) What do I want to do after college?
4.) Am I geographically locked anywhere? in-state? out-of-state?
5.) Do I plan on getting a masters degree?

I would try and figure out my career path and then go from there. Most people change their minds while they are in their undergraduate degrees. This is normal, but get a feel for what it is that you want to do.

There are a lot of great euphonium teachers out there. Here is a short list <just what I can come up w/ without looking too much>.

North Texas - Brian Bowman
George Mason U. - Roger Behrend
E. Michigan - Matt Tropman
U. of Alabama - Demondrae Thurman
Arkansas - Ben Pierce
Emory/Georgia State - Adam Frey
U. of Central Florida - Gail Robertson
Georgia - David Zerkel

I have yet to study with a euphonium player. I generally have studied with tuba players. As a brass ped., a teacher will have a lot to offer you no matter what they play.

The most important thing, I believe, when selecting a college is not only finding a good fit with your teacher, but also finding a place where you can grow and mature over your four years. You will change, and that is normal - find a place where you won't have too many growing pains.

- Pat Stuckemeyer

[caroljantsch]

>North Texas - Brian Bowman
>George Mason U. - Roger Behrend
>E. Michigan - Matt Tropman
>U. of Alabama - Demondrae Thurman
>Arkansas - Ben Pierce
>Emory/Georgia State - Adam Frey
>U. of Central Florida - Gail Robertson
>Georgia - David Zerkel

don't forget university of michigan. prof. kaenzig is an amazing teacher for both euph and tuba, and if you want to teach at a college level he'll give you a great pedagogical base. ben pierce was one of his students. if you're looking for a school with a good studio and a great teacher, look at places like unt, michigan, and georgia.

good luck on your search
carol

p.s. if you're at the academy, say hi to riccobono for me

[Arkietuba]

You might wanna consider the Univ. of Central Arkansas. Dr. Denis Winter has been the Euphonium instructor for over 20 years. He does teach trombone but he only learned the trombone when he started teaching at UCA. He is a famous euphonium player. He performs with Symphonia and has performed with Brian Bowman and Steven Mead. UCA is a medium size school (11,000 students). UCA has one of the best Education Departments in the country. Many school district presidents and principals have told me that they would hire someone from UCA before they would hire someone from the Univ. of AR (even if they did learn from Ben Pierce).

[Dean]

What kind of euph sound do you like? What player do you hear and think--"man, I wish I sounded like that!"


All other things being equal, this can be a big deal. Its a great thing to be able to hear an "ideal" sound several times a week, and have that person helping you achieve it....