Music Colleges in America

[allchopin]

I still can't decide where to go for college (or even if I should major in music for sure)- I have looked around a found a few that seem like good candidates for me: Southern Methodist, Rice, Vanderbilt, Berklee...
Perhaps, I could hail suggestions/comments from those who have already "been there" and "done that"? ~

[Hmoll]

Do you want the good news first, or the bad news? OK, I'll give you the bad news first: Almost everyone underestimates how competitive piano is. Because there are hundreds of pianists graduating each year from American music schools alone, there is a huge glut of pianists. That doesn't mean anyone should not go into the field. They shoudl just know what they're up against, and be willing to find a musical niche for themselves.
The good news is related to the bad news: Because there is a glut of pianists, there are a lot of really good teachers at some schools you may not think of at first. SUNY Stonybrook is one, UMKC, USC, U. Mich. are others. BTW, Berklee - I assume you mean the one in Boston - is more for popular music and jazz.
The days are long over when Julliard, Curtis, NEC, Eastman, and Oberlin were the only viable options for piano students.  There are a lot of good schools out there.
As a rule of thumb you should not pick a school because of the name, you should pick a school because of the piano faculty. The more you can establish a connection with the faculty - through taking a few lessons, etc - the more you have an "in." Also, to make things more complicated, you might see a big name listed on the faculty roster, but he/she might not take many new students. One example is seeing Leon Fleisher listed on the faculty of Peabody Conservatory. He's such a busy guy, it's almost impossible to get into his studio (and if you do, how many lessons do you think you will have with him?).
To even further complicate things - and to slightly contradict what I just said - it's important to have a good "name" school somewhere in your academic life - undergraduate, masters, DMA. If you go to a small state college without a big name for undergraduate, you should try for a bigger name for graduate school.

[allchopin]

I think that I am aware of the stiff competition in the field, but I plan to do composition rather than performance (It helps to have been born with ivories under your fingers to compete in that field) and I dont see how there can really be composition competition...

As far as faculty, how are you going to know the faculty until youve experienced a year at the college?  I cant travel to another state just to check out a university- must I put my trust into the college's website?

Hmoll: if you are already a college grad, did you major in music? and from what college?

[thracozaag]

I think that I am aware of the stiff competition in the field, but I plan to do composition rather than performance (It helps to have been born with ivories under your fingers to compete in that field) and I dont see how there can really be composition competition...

As far as faculty, how are you going to know the faculty until youve experienced a year at the college?  I cant travel to another state just to check out a university- must I put my trust into the college's website?

Hmoll: if you are already a college grad, did you major in music? and from what college?

 I would STRONGLY encourage you to take at least one lesson with the prospective teacher you wish to work with.

[Hmoll]

I think that I am aware of the stiff competition in the field, but I plan to do composition rather than performance (It helps to have been born with ivories under your fingers to compete in that field) and I dont see how there can really be composition competition...

As far as faculty, how are you going to know the faculty until youve experienced a year at the college?  I cant travel to another state just to check out a university- must I put my trust into the college's website?

Hmoll: if you are already a college grad, did you major in music? and from what college?

Look's like I am guilty of jumping to conclusions. I assumed you meant majoring in piano.

To answer your question, as much as I can: I began piano at the age of 15, got into a fairly small college with a good music program as a piano performance major, double majored in piano and music history (which is why I kicked a@@ on Ed's quiz  ), and went to graduate school at a school with a big name.

Now, let me ask you a question: What state do you live in? Why do  you think composition is not competitive? Why do you think it's difficult to establish a relationship with a good composition teacher in this day of instantaneous transfer of information? What do you ultimately want to do with your degree in composition? --- Sorry, that's four questions.

Your reply to me was in your usual abrasive style (don't worry, you'll make a great composer with that attitude), so I don't know if I was being helpful before. However, my response above, and my questions are simply trying to be helpful as best I can.  I'm out of the loop as far as good schools for composition, however, I will look into it a bit. BTW, which contemporary composers do you like? - sorry, now that's five questions.

[allchopin]

To Hmoll's Questionnaire  :
1) Tx
2) As far as performance, competition seems to center around who plays best and gets the most popularity in order to get jobs.  In composition, there are probably more people involved, but I think there are more job opportunites for such a skill, though I may be wrong.
3) You cannot "know" the faculty simply by using "instantaneous transfer of information"- I mean actually talking to them and seeing if I would want to spend 4 years or more with them.  I didn't say that it was difficult in general, but taht it would be difficult from another state (obviously).
4) Once I supposedly have my degree, I simply want to sell compositions to whomever is willing to buy them, whether that  "whomever" is a movie producer, a music store, or simply an individual customer.  This being ambiguous is why I am somewhat doubting majoring in anything music-related.

Abrasive?  Why do you say that?  This is probably one of the few posts where I haven't displayed such a manner- but yes, any help is going to get me farther than where I am.
I don't listen to many contemporary composers as I find it hard to differentiate which are actually music.  A few that I am fond of are some works by David Lanz, Yanni, and I love George Winston.  These, are, of course, some of the more popular artists today, but for good reason- they have a lot of good stuff (although their styles sometimes tend to bleed together).

[Hmoll]

To Hmoll's Questionnaire  :
1) Tx
2) As far as performance, competition seems to center around who plays best and gets the most popularity in order to get jobs.  In composition, there are probably more people involved, but I think there are more job opportunites for such a skill, though I may be wrong.
3) You cannot "know" the faculty simply by using "instantaneous transfer of information"- I mean actually talking to them and seeing if I would want to spend 4 years or more with them.  I didn't say that it was difficult in general, but taht it would be difficult from another state (obviously).
4) Once I supposedly have my degree, I simply want to sell compositions to whomever is willing to buy them, whether that  "whomever" is a movie producer, a music store, or simply an individual customer.  This being ambiguous is why I am somewhat doubting majoring in anything music-related.

Abrasive?  Why do you say that?  This is probably one of the few posts where I haven't displayed such a manner- but yes, any help is going to get me farther than where I am.
I don't listen to many contemporary composers as I find it hard to differentiate which are actually music.  A few that I am fond of are some works by David Lanz, Yanni, and I love George Winston.  These, are, of course, some of the more popular artists today, but for good reason- they have a lot of good stuff (although their styles sometimes tend to bleed together).

allchopin,

There are good music schools in TX, as you know, since you listed some before.

I agree, you won't be able to actually develop a relationship with composers through the Web alone, but at least you can research them a bit.

Compositon is very competitive, but in a different way than performance. As you are looking into it more, I'm sure you realize you don't just go out and get a job as a composer. It's very rare now for a composer to derive most of their income through selling compositions. Most composers teach, perform, conduct, etc. My dad is a composer, and has had everything from operas to chamber music performed, and well received, but never would never have made a living at it. That's why it is important to be well rounded. Again, you probably know all that, but allow me to reinforce it.

One thing to consider: if you are a composition major at a good school you will have to open your mind to some of the contemporary music you don't like. You'll have a much easier time with your profs. and peers.

Btw, no offense about the abrasive comment.

[allchopin]

So you're saying that majoring (or double majoring) in composition is a bad idea because there are (virtually) no prospects after college?  I dont like the sound of this at all!  I really love music, but alas, a dead end I hear about turns me away to other fields that I dont like nearly as much.  Trusting that your father was an excellent and accomplished pianist/composer and HE didnt quite seem to be able to make a living on that income scares me indeed...
How about a minor at least; would this be helpful at all in career searches?
~
Additionally, why IS there so much competition present- why are there so many people with talent in this world ?  Why is music getting such a deluge of newcomers- I thought that the number of pianists these days was declining?

[Hmoll]

So you're saying that majoring (or double majoring) in composition is a bad idea because there are (virtually) no prospects after college?  I dont like the sound of this at all!  I really love music, but alas, a dead end I hear about turns me away to other fields that I dont like nearly as much.  Trusting that your father was an excellent and accomplished pianist/composer and HE didnt quite seem to be able to make a living on that income scares me indeed...
How about a minor at least; would this be helpful at all in career searches?
~
Additionally, why IS there so much competition present- why are there so many people with talent in this world ?  Why is music getting such a deluge of newcomers- I thought that the number of pianists these days was declining?

I am not saying majoring in either performance or composition is a bad idea, or a dead end. However, it would be irresponsible for me to sugar-coat it, and say it's a wonderful career path, and there is little competition.
99% of the musicians I know teach, whether they are performers or composers. The ratio of income they derive from performing/composing to teaching varies.
I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm saying it takes dedication, determination, and the willingness to put up with a few frustrations and disappointments on the way.

BTW, there may be less pianists today than a few years ago, I'm not sure. One thing I am sure of is classical music is, unfortunately, on the decline in popularity, meaning there are less performance slots for the performers that are out there.

[BoliverAllmon]

I go to school about 45 min. from Rice. I personally haven't gone to the school (simply because I can't make the audition requirements yet), but I that everyone around just dreams of going there. Rice concerts are more sought after than even the Houston Symphony! It's reputation around here is unbelievable.

boliver

[allchopin]

Heh- Rice would be wonderful to attend but that audition segment- that's a minor detail/obstacle.  Where do you live?  I'm about 1 1/2 hours away from Rice (maybe a little more).  And what college are you attending?  Would you recommend it?
I don't plan to teach piano as a career, so why else would I want to get a music degree?  This is quite the formidable quandry/conundrum/quagmire.

[Wired]

Heh- Rice would be wonderful to attend but that audition segment- that's a minor detail/obstacle.  Where do you live?  I'm about 1 1/2 hours away from Rice (maybe a little more).  And what college are you attending?  Would you recommend it?
I don't plan to teach piano as a career, so why else would I want to get a music degree?  This is quite the formidable quandry/conundrum/quagmire.

While I'm not a music major, I don't know what a music major would help you out with other than having good advice throughout college in directing you in your musical education. However, this can be accomplished with lessons from an experienced piano player as well -- just not as full time as an entire curriculum would be.

However, don't take my word as being the final on that. I jumped in here because I was wondering if anyone here was in the Austin area and had any recommendations of piano teachers Any ideas of where to find a good one?

[BoliverAllmon]

I live outside the city of Baytown. I go to Lee College in Baytown. It is small, but the teachers here are real good.

boliver