College versus Conservatory

[thomas_williams]

I am a senior in high school and definitely want to make music my career but am faced with a dilemma regarding college.  Let me explain.

After discontinuing piano lessons as a child, I would go through periods of practicing and not practicing but did not really advance pianistically (from about the age of 10-14).  From the age of 15 I have practiced fairly consistently (more or less).  Since last spring (less than a year) I have been studying formally under a teacher and believe I have come a long way musically; however, I have been late in making preparations for and decisions about college.  That is where my problem comes in.

The most obvious option I have is to go to a regular college or university, which I have been considering.  But then I would have to study a slew of math, science and other courses unrelated to my major, and the more I think about that, the more I realize I would resent it.  At a conservatory, on the other hand, I would have the great advantage of being able to focus fully on music.  But most of their application deadlines are past for this year.

So unless I am able to get into a good conservatory with later auditions, I have two choices: go to a university this year (and possibly transfer later) or take the year out of school, continue to work on music and hopefully go to a conservatory in '05.

Have any of you ever experienced anything similar to this?  Have any thoughts or suggestions?  I would much appreciate your comments!

Regards,
Thomas

[Clare]

I think I'm rather similar to you.
I was a lazy slob (not that I'm saying you are!  ) and never ever practiced piano even though I loved it and then accidentally found myself unhappily doing an architecture degree.
During the last year of that degree, I thought, "Screw this. After I finish, I'm going to do music." So I spent about three months preparing for auditions to get in to a straight music degree, and now here I am!
So, my advice to you is, it sounds like if many of the auditions are already over, wait until next year. You will be super-prepared by then. Also, try studying at college/university for a year as you said. You could even do a music elective that might get you exemptions from subjects or favourable standing if you end up going to a conservatorium afterwards.
I haven't been doing music for very long, but from what I've seen, the people doing music/arts or music/commerce degrees are already really stressed out (in week 4 of first-year) because music takes up so much of your time, and other subjects just seem to get in the way.

[thomas_williams]

Well, I am leaning toward simply taking a year out of school and then going to a conservatory (just dumping the whole college/ university thing), because, as you said, "other subjects seem [they will] just get in the way," and I have no alternative major in mind (like, what else would I do?).    But I am still not absolutely sure.

[rachlisztchopin]

Hey Thomas, have you considered University of Arkansas? The professor of piano there is really good and is my teacher. He is Russian and has performed duos around the world with Martha Argerich.  He's even won prizes in over a dozen international piano competitions , which gives him a good name.  And it would be good since it is close to your location.  

[thomas_williams]

No, I haven't looked at that school.  Is their music department a conservatory-type school (i.e., the students can focus entirely on music without being required to study other, non-musical subjects)?

And by the way what is this professor's name?

[rachlisztchopin]

no, sadly u are required to take certain courses
his name is Jura Margulis...he has some CDs out but they are a bit hard to find

[chsmike2345]

Just one question, what about the dinero?
Sure we all want to say it's not important, but lets face facts here, we got to eat and we got to sleep.

[rachlisztchopin]

huh?  :-/
nope dinero isnt important

[chsmike2345]

No, not important, but it is necessary. I wish it wasn't though.

[Clare]

Yeah, money is hard. But I work the equivalent of three days a week to keep me afloat and manage to squeeze in 4 good hours of practice every day, plus sleep, school and picking up all the crap my housemates leave all over the place.
The thing is, when you're working and practicing so much, you don't have time to realise what a loser social life you have, so it doesn't matter too much.