Possible places to go study piano

[alwaystheangel]

Hey all:
I was hoping people might have some suggestions as to where or with whom to study with (If I can).  I am going to audition to the University of Alberta's Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education program (5 year degree whew!)  At the end of may.  I don't, however plan on Staying the entire time at the University, more just to improve my playing and my knowledge of the instrument. I was wondering if People are albe to recommend which conservatories/ schools etc. would be good to study in in Canada (preferably near home, (edmonton, Alta))  I'm not even sure if I'll be accepted into the program but waht would you suggest as places to look into for the future?

[alwaystheangel]

I hope my babbling made sense.

[henrah]

Wish I lived in Canada...I would know more about Uni's/Conservatories too, so I would help you.


Alas, my current fate is in England.
Henrah

[alwaystheangel]

thank you for your comment any way, makes me feel heard.  Anything good in England that I could consider? England's not totally out of the question although it's a bit pricier than I can afford, I think. I might still be nice to dream... *sigh*

[Tash]

come to oz, we love american exchange students (or exchange students from anywhere for that matter, they all bring fee money!!)

[alwaystheangel]

come to oz, we love american exchange students (or exchange students from anywhere for that matter, they all bring fee money!!)

Oz? I'm not in kansas. period. Where is that?

[Tash]

australia!!

[alwaystheangel]

oohhh.... Id' love to go to australia! I was this close *fingers nearly touching* to taking a year off and going to Sydney for 6 month and Somewhere in New Zealand for another 6 Months.  Alas, I remain in the land of cows and cold, crappy weather instead....

[nanabush]

What are some good music universities in Canada... I've looked at some of the audition requirments to some and wasn't really impressed (for example 10 minutes with two contrasting pieces... thats all)

Toronto required a near-full ARCT performance, which is the highest I've seen in Canada.  McGill also wasn't too bad... any others?

[alwaystheangel]

Well at U of Alberta I have to take an aural placement test, a theory test (unless I've written one of equivalent level, which I have, thank god) And an audition containing one piece by Bach, One Sonata (1st movement) by either mozart, beethoven or Haydn (I think haydn, I'm not sure) and one Romantic / 20th century of your choice.  They then also test sight reading and have an interview aswell. 

I'm also auditioning on Saxophone (hedge my bets) and All I have to do is play a study, tehcnincal piece and piano accompanied piece at my level. They then do sightreading and interview as well plus the aural and theory.  It's seems so unfair that instrumentalists can be at such a lower level than pianists to be acceptable.

For piano I've choice my audition pieces as follows (I only decided on music in March so I picked pieces on the easier side of things to be able to play for May):

Bach: Adagissimo (III-in Capriccion on the departure of a most beloved brother)
Classical Sonata: Mozart's sonata K 332 or Moonlight by beethoven as a stand-by (but only if I HAVE to)
Choice: Rêverie by Debussy

What do you think?

The University's program is very small but the fine arts just got a massive grant of millions of dollars.  I know the saxophone Professor is nice, I met him and he's very well known in my area: William (Bill) Street

The piano p[orfessors I haven't heard of anyone know then or Of them?
Jacques Després
adjunct porfessors:Jacobus Kloppers ,Jacobus Kloppers
assistant professor:Patricia Tao

[henrah]

My friend just told me about a course he found that's both acting and musicianship, all in one course and he loves them both! What a lucky guy...

But he says he's not going to strive to be a concert pianist as he would have had to start a practice regime already and doesn't like the thought of being locked away practising all day. He just wants to - in the words of Robbie Williams - "Let meeeeeeeeeee entertain you!!"
Henrah

[alwaystheangel]

oh yes, that is a good point, I'm not sure if I could handle performance Bmus, I have a bad back that keeps me from practising more than 1 hour at a time so that will definately keep me from being a concert pianist even if I was good enough (which I find unlikely)  Conservatories only teach performance then?  I would have thought they would include thing like composition and musicology and such.

[Tash]

yeah it depends on what you plan on majoring in- if you do perf then they'd probably expect you to practice a lot! (apparently at the syndey con they're expected to be practicing like every second they're not in class). but yes, they do have comp and muso, if they didn't then they're retarded

[alwaystheangel]

I think I will major in General Music for my BMus degree and I'll be majoring in Secondary Scool and minoring in primary school for my BEd. that way I can teach any grade. I'd prefer high school band though, they already know how to play.  I don't think I can handle preteens learning instruments and music for the first time. (My poor ears!)