Can I Still Major In Music Education!?

[george428]

At the start of 9th grade I wanted to play piano but never could afford one, after constant complaining to my mother she finally got me one in the summer of my 10th grade year. At the start of my 11th grade year I got into a  beginner orchestra class, the teacher allowed me to learn piano instead of a viola, violin, bass etc. that year I took nyssma for level 2 piano and passed it no problem. I genuinely love playing the piano and want to take it in college for music education to become a music teacher. I told my music teacher this and she said it isn't possible for me to do performance piano, but music education is possible but it all depends on how hard I work in the summer. I'm now in my 11th grade year summer break. Since I have nothing to do its the best time, I plan on putting in 3 hours everyday and gradually building time doing scales, hanon exercises, czerny exercises, sight reading practice etc. I want to apply to berklee college, and some other choice music schools (julliard is obviously out of the question).
My question is with the time I have left, would I be able to get good enough to get into a music school for music education?

[ranniks]

Since I have nothing to do, I plan on putting in 3 hours everyday and gradually building time doing scales, hanon exercises, czerny exercises, sight reading practice etc.

I'm confused, are you playing the piano that much because you have nothing to do or because you genuinly want to? I think the latter. Don't be ashamed for playing many hours a day even in the summer. I have nothing to do in the summer as well, but that doesn't mean I'm going to play more or less piano than I do now. Although, I will play more, but that is because I have more pieces to work on.

I want to apply to berklee college, and some other choice music schools (julliard is obviously out of the question).
My question is with the time I have left, would I be able to get good enough to get into a music school for music education?

Why is juliard out of the question? What's stopping you besides your own sheltered imagination that you're not good enough? Or do they require that you start at age 5?

The thing with anything, that includes chemistry, physics, medicine, economics, politics and yes, even the piano and other instruments: it takes time and dedication. Some say it's 1% talent and 99% hard work. I say it's 99% interest in the instrument and 1% hard work.

So maybe make a plan for what you want to be able to play after a certain amount of time. I have my eyes set on learning rondo alla turca before the end of 2014 and more of course.

[george428]

Yea sorry I meant because I have nothing in stopping me in the summer it's the best time.

[melissa222]

It's definitely possible if you have the work ethic for it. You'll definitely need a teacher, though--if you can't afford weekly lessons, see if you can find a teacher who'll do every-other-week. Be sure you explain your situation and your goals to the teacher--some might be on board with the plan, but not everyone will. You'll have to practice a lot, so it'll be important to have someone checking in on your technique and helping you avoid injury! A teacher will also be able to guide you in picking rep for your goals. FWIW, though, when I was in grad school, I knew a piano performance undergrad who started piano as a complete beginner one year before his college auditions. He worked like crazy that year (4-5 hours a day while still in high school), plus he was obviously a smart and talented guy in the first place, but he did get into college as a piano performance major. I met him in his sophomore or junior year, and he was great--in his 3-4 years of playing at that point, he was already better than me with my 15 years!

[iansinclair]

Nothing to stop you.  At most colleges and universities (not talking conservatories here) a declared music or music education major is just that.  There is no requirement to be a virtuoso to take the major nor, in most cases (not all) is an audition required.

[melissa222]

No audition? Lol, what college doesn't require an audition to major in music? I've never seen anything like that.

[pianoslav]

You won't be able to go to major in music immediately out of high school. However, I think that if you take piano performance in community college for a few years, you might be qualified to go to transfer to a music college (if you do well).

[iansinclair]

No audition? Lol, what college doesn't require an audition to major in music? I've never seen anything like that.

My own alma mater, for one (a rather high end, if I do say so myself, small liberal arts college).  Or my wife's (a large state university), for another.  Or another college (a music oriented college in Indiana) for another.  Or... I'll think of more.  There are lots of them.

Now if you are speaking exclusively of performing music -- that is, concert pianist -- the list would be shorter.  Further, if you have taken (as I did) extensive performance practice during your four years of college, part of your "final" will probably be an hour plus long recital.  But that is not an audition to get in; that's to demonstrate that you actually learned something while you were there, which is a different matter.

I might add that the OP was talking about music education, not performing music -- and that is yet again a different matter.  In any event, I can provide a list of US schools which do NOT require an audition and which are well-regarded (except, perhaps, among those for whom only a conservatory will do).