So you want to major in music???

Factors to consider in making your decision

• Be realistic…do you like band/choir or do you love music?

• In college (and beyond) you will have to spend hours a day practicing your instrument, secondary instruments, drilling music theory skills, aural skills, reading about music history, score study, etc. You will actually spend very little time doing what got you interested in the first place.

• You really have to love the subject of music if you are going to be successful and enjoy your career. It would be like marrying someone you didn’t love.

“There’s nothing that sucks the life out of doing what you love like getting an education in it .”

- Holly Kainz, PSHS class of 2014, Music Ed major at McKendree University

Factors cont.

• How well do you really understand music theory concepts?

• Our theory lessons only scratch the surface of the 1st semester of college theory!

• How well can you play the HS ILMEA scale sheet?

• Close doesn’t count on a national, or international stage!

• Consider your job prospects, financial future and job security.

• 80% of available teaching jobs are general music

• *Average starting teacher salary in 2017 – 2018 was $38,617 (that means your take home will be around $31,000 or about $2500 per month) ($350 for your car, $1200 for rent, $300 in utilities, and, oh yea, you need insurance, student loan payments, food, gas, clothes, toothpaste, shampoo, and an occasional splurge to do something “fun”)

• Arts are always in jeopardy of being cut when the economy is unstable

OK, you’ve decided to go for it,

now what?

• Get the most out of your high school experience as possible.

• Participate in as many school-related events/activities as you can.

• ILMEA Auditions

• Solo & Ensemble Festival

• Concerto Competition audition

• Talent Show

• Band Leadership Team (section leader/drum major)

• Pep Band

• Pit Orchestra

• Jazz Band

• Extra-curricular choirs

• Theatrical productions

• Join or create a chamber ensemble (quartet or quintet that plays at nursing homes, etc.)

• United Sound

Participate in as many non-school performance opportunities as possible

• Community Ensembles

• Joliet American Legion Band

• Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO)

• Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra

• DCI

• WGI

• Church choir/hand bells

• Summer music camps

• US Army All-American Marching Band

• Music For All National Honor Band

Non-School/non-performance opportunities• Volunteer to help your director ☺ (music library, making copies, etc.)

• Future Music Educator’s Symposium (FMES) through ILMEA

• Application deadline: Nov. 1, 2019

• Requirements: 10th – 12th grade students only, nominated by director and submitting a video answering speci questions.

• Midwest Clinic college night (anyone) or High School Institute (seniors only)

• Join the national or international organization for your instrument

• Subscribe to music journals and/or join ILMEA• The Instrumentalist• In Tune

• National Flute Association• International Double Reed Society• International Trumpet Guild• International Trombone Association

• Midwest Double Reed Society• International Clarinet Association• International Horn Society• Percussive Arts Society

• SBO

Other helpful things to do in high school• Protect your hearing

• Take private Lessons• It’s more important for you to get as good as possible on one instrument than to “get

by” on multiple instruments.

• Take piano lessons!

• Step-up Instrument/mouthpiece/reeds? (talk to the professors at a few of the schools you are considering for recommendations. Why buy an instrument in high school and have to buy another when you go to college?)

• Listen to classical music (ask a director or lesson teacher for recommendations)

• Familiarize yourself with significant performers on your instrument

• Should you take Music Theory and/or AP Theory in HS?• Approach the middle school directors about working with the MS marching• band or teaching private lessons to 6th graders.

Choosing a school

•Types of schools

• Large State Universities

• Small Liberal Arts Colleges

• Other factors to consider:

• In-State vs. out of state?

• Big city vs. suburban or rural?

• Community College for Gen Ed’s?

• Military?

• How many years will it take you to finish?

• What are their admission and graduation requirements?

• Some schools require more “gen-eds” than others

• Music Conservatory

• Ivy League

Choosing a school cont.• Consider the “prestige” or reputation of the school (it will matter

when you are submitting resumes for jobs)

• Consider the prestige or reputation of the specific faculty you will spend most of your time with (studio teacher, music ed., composition, etc.); remember, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know!

• Consider the cost but don’t be too afraid of student loans

• If you’re going into education, consider whether you want to eventually teach in the state where you attended college.

• Aim high

• Apply to several “levels” of schools and have them ranked with reasons for the rankings

The following 4 slides are a comparison of admission & audition requirements for a state

school and a prestigious music school

• Links to each school just in case

• Illinois State University general admissions info

• ISU school of music application/audition info

• Music Ed coursework for ISU

• Eastman School of Music application info

• Eastman School of Music audition info

Illinois State University general requirements• Highest admission priority will be granted to students with the strongest academic records.

• What Admissions considers:

• High school courses completed

• Grade point average

• SAT/ACT scores and subscores

• Optional academic personal statement

• Academic Completion

• You are required to complete a core high school curriculum that includes:

• English - 4 years

• Mathematics - 3 years

• traditional (algebra, geometry, algebra II)

• OR integrated (math 1, 2, and 3)

• Natural science – 2 years with laboratories

• Social science – 2 years

• Foreign language/Fine arts – 2 years of the same language OR 2 years of fine arts

• Admitted Student Profile

• Middle 50% ranges for 2019

• Freshmen GPA: 3.10–3.80 on a 4.0 scale

• SAT: 1030–1200

• ACT: 21–26

ISU requires 2 applications, one for the university and one for the school of music

Flute audition at ISU• Suggested Repertoire

• The following suggestions are representative of acceptable repertoire for undergraduate admission auditions. You are NOT limited to what is listed. Students should not hesitate to use music similar in nature and difficulty.

• Undergraduate1. Two works in contrasting style, Suggested repertoire:

• J. S. Bach, sonatas

• Mozart, concerti in D or G, C. P. E.

• Bach, Sonata in A minor,

• Gaubert, Nocturne et Allegro Scherzando or Fantaisie

• Enesco, Cantabile et Presto; Griffes, Poem

• Hue, Fantaisie: Poulenc, Sonata

• Hindemith, Sonata

• Prokofiev, Sonata

• Liebermann, Sonata

• 2. Sight reading

Eastman Conservatory of Music• Welcome to the Eastman undergraduate application. If you are applying for the Bachelor of Music

degree, this is the only application you need to complete. Eastman has a separate application from the University of Rochester, and does not use the Common Application. If you are applying for a dual degree (BM plus a BA or BS), you will also need to submit an application to the College at the University of Rochester.

• Quick application checklist:

• Application, including

• Application fee ($75 by Nov. 1; $125 after Nov. 1)

• Pre-screen Recording: required for all Jazz instruments, Piano (performance majors only), plus the following instruments (regardless of major) Cello, Clarinet, Flute, Percussion, Saxophone, Trombone, Violin, and Voice.

• Pre-screening Scores & Documents: required for Composition and Theory

• Transcripts

• Test scores: SAT or ACT scores are welcome, but are only required only for home-schooled students;

• Personal statement

• Résumé

• Recommendations

• International applicants only: An InitialView interview & writing sample and an official TOEFL exam score are required for applicants whose native language is not English

• Applicants are responsible for submitting complete applications. Applications that are incomplete cannot be processed. Application fees are non-refundable, and application materials will not be returned. The Eastman School of Music reserves the right to rescind admission to any applicant whose file documentation is found to be insufficient and/or incomplete.

Flute at Eastman• Pre-screening requirement: Before December 1, all flute applicants seeking a live

audition must upload a pre-screen video. The pre-screening recording must include each of the following items. It can be recorded either with or without piano accompaniment.

• Mozart: Entire first and second movements plus cadenzas from either D or G major concerto

• J.S. Bach: 2 movements from a sonata or partita of your choice

• A work of your choice

• The following 3 standard orchestral excerpts (not the entire work):

• Beethoven: Leonore Overture #3: mm. 328 through 360

• Brahms: Symphony IV; Movement 4, mm. 89-103

• Mendelssohn: Scherzo from Midsummer Night’s Dream; from 12 measures before P to the end.

• Live Audition – Each of the following:

• A Mozart concerto

• A sonata or partita by J. S. Bach

• A work of your choice

• Orchestral excerpts as appropriate to training and experience

Applications

• ASAP – familiarize yourself with admission requirements for both the school AND school of music

• Start early.

• Write your essays early enough to put it away for at least a week then go back to it and create your final version. HAVE A COUPLE OF ADULTS READ IT FOR YOU!

• Many music departments offer more money to early applicants

• Letters of Recommendation

• Give at least two weeks notice.

• Provide a “resume” of high school to the people you are asking for letters.

• It looks good to have a letter of recommendation from your HS director!

• Make sure your director has good things to say about you.

The Audition

• Check the school’s website at least a year in advance for audition requirements.

• If possible, schedule at least one lesson with the teacher at each school you are applying to (the sooner, the better).

• Ask the teacher what equipment they require/recommend for incoming freshmen.

• Set a deadline at least 4 weeks (6 or 8 weeks would be better) before your 1st audition to play for other people.

• PSHS equipment can be made available if you need to create an audio or video portfolio for you audition.

Financial Aid

• Detailed financial aid info is beyond the scope of tonight

• In general, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of private scholarships available. Financial Aid departments at specific schools should have lists available.

• In addition to the financial aid office, ask the music department about scholarships.

• Collegescholarships.org

• Zinch.com (a source for private scholarships)

Surviving your 1st year (or semester)

• Prioritize!

• Practicing

• Homework

• Social Life

• You need all 3 so you have to be organized to find the right balance to succeed.

• If you can help it, you probably shouldn’t have a job your 1st semester or year.

• If you thought high school marching band was a big time commitment, college marching band is more.

• Keep in mind that you wouldn’t want your teachers, doctors, financial planners, airline pilots, etc. to have been C students so you better not be either!

Other thoughts about college

• For a little extra cash, ask directors at local schools if they need help

• Marching staff in the fall

• Sectionals during concert season

• Library work (great way to meet people, learn about organizing a music library and rep)

• Check the www.k12jobspot.com website for paraprofessional jobs

• www.musicalchairs.info – orchestra vacancies

A few “Other” music degrees

• Music Business

• Composition

• Music Theory

• Music Therapy

• Recording Industry

• Musicology

• Jazz Studies

• Not every major is offered at every school. Do your homework!

• Refer to the packet for a more comprehensive list.

Marsha Orwig• · NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) https://www.namm.org/about

• · MEIEA (Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association) http://www.meiea.org/about

• They also have a nice list of member schools - http://www.meiea.org/member_schools

• · League of American Orchestras (https://www.americanorchestras.org/ )

• · NAPBIRT (National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians, Inc.) -https://www.napbirt.org

• They also have a list of Repair schools -https://www.napbirt.org/4DCGI/cms/review.html?Action=CMS_Document&DocID=38&MenuKey=123

• · MPA (Music Publishers Association of the United States) - https://www.mpa.org/about-the-mpa/

• · ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) -https://www.ascap.com/

• · BMI - https://www.bmi.com/about

• · Chicago Federation of Musicians - https://cfm10208.com/ part of the American Federation of Musicians (https://www.afm.org/ ) – Performer’s union.

The bottom line• Getting into college takes a lot of work. If you spread that work out over

time, you will have less stress and anxiety during the critical application and audition phase.

• Use all of the resources that are available to you

• You know several adults that have gone through this (parents, friends, colleagues, teachers), don’t be embarrassed to ask them questions.

• Every college has people who are experts in answering your questions. Make sure you utilize them and their websites far enough in advance that you aren’t in panic mode.

There is a book that may be a useful resource for you.

• Franzblau, R. (2013). So you want to be a music major: A guide for high school students, their guidance counselors, parents and music teachers. Delray Beach, FL: Meredith Music Publications. (http://www.meredithmusic.com/) ISBN # 979--‐1--‐57463--‐378--‐8. Distributed by Hal Leonard Corporation (http://www.halleonard.com/).