Will it be too late to change my major into piano performance? (Any comments)

[cardinals]

Hi, nice to see you. Let me ask you a question or look for your suggestions, comments, advices, etc, on the following…

I am a graduate student in University of Cincinnati, and I am a business major. I started to take piano lessons when I was 8 years old, but have no experience of having formal educations in music, haven’t attended any music schools or programs, haven’t been tutored by professors, and so on and so forth. I just spent 2-3 hours every day practicing the piano, and since 10 years ago, learned by myself as a hobby, and that’s all…

But now I am considering switching to music as my major…and the problem here is that all programs in music require at least three letters of recommendations from the professors or instructors in music. Some of them even regard any previous awards in prominent competitions as very important. Since I’ve been purely amateur in this field, I have no one who can write the LORs or no experience of being awarded in any kind of competitions. In this case, do you think there are any ways to contact the professors here to take the lessons or whatever to make up for this?

Also, I would like you to judge if changing my major into music is going to be a feasible choice. There are just a few recordings uploaded to my blog in a community of piano lovers, and I didn’t have enough time to practice each of them…for example, I spent 1 week for the Black Key etude, and 2 weeks for the Etude Op.10-4, because of the short breaks between the quarters…

You can just go to the blog http://blog.naver.com/hhsschoi to listen to my playings…

I know that there is something to be improved, I would like you to tell me if the gap (technical and/or artistic) against the piano majors can be overcome if I spend more hours on these over longer time periods…

I will welcome any comments from you guys (especially those majoring in music or professors/lecturers in music. Plz help me…

[Bob]

Talk to the people where you want to go for music school.  The rules can always be bent.

You could take lessons with someone for the sole purpose of getting a letter.  Find them, take lessons, impress them, then ask for the letter.  Or tell them you want lessons to help you get into a school of music -- That's not really being devious and having a teacher to advise you won't hurt at all.

[henrah]

I'm sure if you ask to play to some of the professors of the course, explaining that you haven't had any teachers or qualifications, they'll give you a quick listen if they have any free time. Either that or hand them your recordings. I haven't listened to them myself, but just considering your playing Chopin etudes you must be fairly advanced

[thalberg]

I tried to download your recordings but was unsuccessful.  They don't say "mp3."  I think that's why....otherwise I could help you.

I'm guessing you are a rather advanced musician if you practiced 2-3 hours every day, and if you were able to learn those etudes in such a short time.  However, if you have had no formal musical education, you might be unaware of what kind of field you're getting into.  It's very difficult to make a living as a musician.  If you want to try for a music major, that is okay, but make sure you graduate with some other skills as well--perhaps double major in business and music.  There's nothing worse than graduating and not being able to find a job. 

[richard black]

Why do you want to study music? If the answer is that you want to become a solo performer, to be frank, I'd say forget it. Worldwide, there are _far_ more wannabe solo pianists than there is a market for. Most of them end up teaching, many of them find that rewarding and do it well and from time to time they get a bit of playing work. By graduate age, on the whole, you've either arrived as a solo pianist or you're not going to.

If however you are a good sight-reader, good all-round musician and quick learner you could pick up work as an accompanist (including repetiteuring, coaching, etc.), in which case the biggest advantage of college is the contacts and experience it'll give you. It's far from essential though. You may be best off sticking with business studies and just making yourself useful to singers and (non-piano) instrumentalists wherever possible.

[teresa_b]

Hi cardinals,

I listened to your Op 10 no 4, and it's excellent!!  You should be able to get into a music program--I would follow the above suggestions.  And I also agree with the above posts in that you should seriously think about what you want to do with a music degree. 

Follow your heart but be smart!  (I could have majored in poetry but thought better of it.  )

Teresa

[mattgreenecomposer]

I will be blunt...Yes.
One of my best friends is at Cincinnati right now getting his Doctorate.  It is brutal he says.  It is highly new music oriented also, so if your not familiar with the stuff thats being written today I would say forget it.  You need a damn calculator and a tape measure  to play some of this stuff which in the end would probably kill a plant if it were sitting to close.
I was in your boat at one time.  I graduated with a Psychology degree.  I wanted to go back to school to get a masters in music because just like you ...I practiced 3 hours everyday also.  To make a long story short they would not let me unless I completed all the undergraduate requirements.  Most schools follow this format, I know it's retarded but there's no way around the system no matter how good you are, and Im pretty sure you are talented.
Just to let you know, I DID go back, I also went back for a masters!  I will tell you in hindsight it is NOT worth the money.  I went back to study works from the masters, I was interested in Brahms, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Gershwin etc.  Instead I learned about John Gage, Berg and Schoenberg.  I don't think Brahms was ever mentioned in any one of my classes-Ever!  What a waste.  I felt it necessary to teach to get the peice of paper-diploma-. but I learned far more about music practicing in the privacy of my own home.  Sorry but it's true.  I know some people reading this might think otherwise but that's my experience anyways.
Bottom line is: Find a Proffesor and study with him/her privately and pay them under the table.

[pianowelsh]

It really does depend to some extent why you want it and also what your institution thinks in terms of its aspirations..so many institutions are extremely pedantic  over formal qualifications.  we had a student who had an undergraduate for a conservatory in China who was told your level is insufficient for postgraduate..and He had to do a fast track BMus first....everyone (proffs included thought this was unfair!)  Having said that if you really can achieve op10/4 in a matter of a few weeks then you should certainly consider taking your studies further.  My recommendation for you would be to start building bridges into the other world!! Attend a summer course at the place you want to study (or with proffessors who teach there) expose them to your level of playing and enthusiasm! at the same time you will get some idea of how they work...though beware they are always on their best behaviour at summer schools! arrange consultation lessons with people at the institution and attend concerts and masterclasses there! - get your face known ...this is SO important.

[ivoryplayer_amf]

You should get your masters in Business and then work on a ba in music.  Music is a way of life.  Music programs are rigorous & Viscious (as is my spelling). 

[counterpoint]

I will be blunt...Yes.
One of my best friends is at Cincinnati right now getting his Doctorate.  It is brutal he says.  It is highly new music oriented also, so if your not familiar with the stuff thats being written today I would say forget it.  You need a damn calculator and a tape measure  to play some of this stuff which in the end would probably kill a plant if it were sitting to close.

 

[marco_from_brazil]

the opus 10 no 4 sounds very good. just need to judicious pedaling so it doesnt sound so granulate and dont rush it.

the no 5 sounds pretty sweet. great legato on the right hand.

if they ask you for letters of recommendation you could just ask to play one of those for them. i'm sure they'll reconsider.

[quasimodo]

Try in Europe, maybe. There are more openings for your kind of profile.
Paris would be great if you speak french...

[patteeheeadidas]

If you want to and think you can do it, do it. But, maybe double-major. In the end, it's your decision!

Best wishes.

[amelialw]

what matt says is true, go find a music professor that can teach you privately, I myself did not go to college or uni after high school, I am currently with my own private piano teacher and my standard of playing has improved dramatically over this one year.

[silyaznfoo]

I recommend sticking to the business major, getting a teacher, and perhaps pass the DipARSM and FRSM etc. then become a businessman and teach piano on the side. That's what I'm planning to do.

[elevateme_returns]

thats easily the best idea