music conservatories and mature students..

[trinapiano]

Im looking into applying to some conservatories for a degree over the coming year but I need to know which, if any, will accept mature students? By mature I mean ive just turned 21 less than two weeks ago. It would also depend on whether I could get scholarships or bursaries or grants or something to cover fees as there is no way I could ever afford to go otherwise. Also, I didnt do very well in my final year exams in secondary school and that has kept me from getting to college in my own country so this would need to be a place with pretty low academic requirements? I could definately handle the academics on whatever course but its just that my school exams results suggest otherwise!!! My piano teacher seems pretty sure that musically I should be able to pass an audition wherever I choose to apply.. but my school exam results might hold me back from actually getting a place.

Any ideas??

[thalberg]

Here in America, 21 is not considered that old for a musician.  I know that in Europe, one needs to be a polished musician by the age of 18, but here people take their time a bit more.  3 years isn't as much as you think.  But if I had to give advice, I would say that in general universities get more of the older students than private schools do. 

On the other hand, I would humbly conjecture that academic standards would be lower at a conservatory than at a university.  I think your playing is everything at a conservatory.   Perhaps try one of America's lovely "free" music schools where no one pays tuition, like the Colburn School or the Curtis Insitutute.

[trinapiano]

Yeah. Thankyou! Thats something to look into yeah..  but do curtis still only accept applicants under 21 for piano? If they do then I cant apply there..

[lazlo]

Curtis has a cutoff age of 21 years for pianists. So hopefully when you audition you'll be under 22. Also in general, they are much more geared towards taking young virtuosos. But this is only 1 school. There are so many others.