Rice University

[allchopin]

Can anyone speak for this university?  I am applying soon and would like some background scoop on its reputation in music (the Shepherd School).  I know that Jon Kimura Parker is at Rice, a good name, but I know nothing else.  Any suggestions on auditions as well (30 min. program of various styles)?

[BoliverAllmon]

Just good luck. I live around Rice. It has the reputation around here to be quite difficult to get into and is cutthroat.

My teacher told me this about the auditions ( I thought of applying one) It is better to play easier pieces very beautifully, than to play hard pieces like trash.

boliver

[thracozaag]

Can anyone speak for this university?  I am applying soon and would like some background scoop on its reputation in music (the Shepherd School).  I know that Jon Kimura Parker is at Rice, a good name, but I know nothing else.  Any suggestions on auditions as well (30 min. program of various styles)?

 Bobby (Roux) is a cool guy.  Amazing eater, as well.

[Goldberg]

Yeah, Bobby is cool. I haven't taken lessons with him but apparently he got listed in a certain magazine in the top 50 piano teachers in the US. Furthermore, I'd say he's the man to see if you want to play Liszt well! I hear his b-minor sonata is phenomenal.  
Anyway, I've been in the prep department at Rice for a little over a year now. I started with lessons with Dr. Dean Shank (btw, if you're at all interested in piano technologies he's amazing...same with piano history), and now I play with Dr. Pawlas, who isn't on the faculty but a great teacher. Now, I don't know too much about actually going to school there but I can tell you that there isn't a shortage of good teachers, and I've watched some of the Concerto Competition finalists, and a Master's recital...both were quite good. Also, the program doesn't lack in other events...for instance, on one occassion I had a chance to go down and watch Anton Kuerti play 4 Beethoven sonatas, for free!
To be fair, you *might* find the theory program a little lacking (mainly because of their struggle with keeping teachers there).
Well I don't have much else to say about it, except good luck!

[cygnusdei]

They claim to be in the top 5 of US music schools  - can somebody vouch for this?

[jre58591]

jon kimura parker is also a teacher there. hes an awesome pianist.

[Alde]

They claim to be in the top 5 of US music schools  - can somebody vouch for this?

I guess they say this as propaganda to lure students to Rice.  How do music schools come up with these figures?  IMO Rice is a good school but not a great school.

[csy]

They claim to be in the top 5 of US music schools  - can somebody vouch for this?

What are the top 5 music schools in US then? 

[le_poete_mourant]

What are the top 5 music schools in US then? 

By reputation, I'd guess that Julliard and Curtis make everyone's list.... But criteria isn't really set.  I mean, if you get into jazz and stuff I'd say include Berkeley... and then it all depends really on the student. 

I wouldn't go to Julliard or Curtis. 

[steinway43]

I hear it's an excellent school but I can't speak for any of their teachers. You might want to look into studying with Nancy Weems at the University of Houston. She is a superb teacher, was once a contestant in the Cliburn, and her students tend to do very well. I studied with her myself 1993-94. I only wish I had stayed there and finished my degree.

[jakev2.0]

  Bobby (Roux) is a cool guy.  Amazing eater, as well.

What, like he demolishes buffets?