Going Back to Piano (School) After Many Years?

[belshazzar]

Hey all,

I went to performing arts high school for classical piano. I graduated in 2009, which was the last time I had a piano lesson (yikes). Level: playing French Suites, Chopin ballades, later Beethoven Sonatas, etc. However, I chose to go into the economics profession instead, but really miss music.

I was wondering if it's possible to do a bachelor's in music (I already have a bachelor's in another field). It doesn't have to be a conservatory, or name brand school - it could simply be a university with a music program. I don't care. I just want to be able to study music thoroughly again, like I did in high school.

Has anyone else thought about / done this? I'm sure there are plenty who've abandoned piano for a career and then successfully gotten back into it.

Thanks so much!

[pianist1976]

Where are you from/living? I think it's necessary to know for people give you a concrete advice 

[visitor]

if you were at a high enough standard and spent say 3-6 months doing some catch up playing, then another 6-12 to really learn some lit well, no prob believing you could.  i would shoot for a BA in performance. BM might be a stretch depending on your prep and the standards for that school. good luck

[belshazzar]

Thanks for the replies! I'm in south Florida, but would prefer not to stay there and am willing to relocate anywhere. Would it even be worth it to get a second bachelor's? Has anyone done this?

[Bob]

Anything's possible.  2009 isn't that far off. 

Someone at a music school is going to question how serious you are though.  You're "tainted" by the other degree.  Ditto for whatever area that other degree is in -- That side will look at a music degree and think you were quite so serious about the original bachelors.

Some places might not let you do a second bachelors.  Once the bachelors slot is filler, they might only let you do a masters... which would get weird for attempting a performance degree.  Although I think you'd probably be more bachelor of music, not bachelor of piano performance? 

[dcstudio]

if you were at a high enough standard and spent say 3-6 months doing some catch up playing, then another 6-12 to really learn some lit well, no prob believing you could.  i would shoot for a BA in performance. BM might be a stretch depending on your prep and the standards for that school. good luck

my mother went to a well-known music school and got a BM at age 62...  she was a vocal major

my sister went back at age 26 after not playing for 4 years and got BM in piano performance/pedagogy... took her a little longer but she graduated.

I have not heard of a BA in piano performance. ... BA in music--yes BME--music education-piano concentration...yes--also never heard of a Bachelor's of piano performance...BM--piano performance, yes.   

most schools even music schools--need money...  they will accept you with open arms if you can pay.  Go see a counselor and let them advise you.

pick your school--research their entrance requirements --brush up on your theory, sight-singing, ear training--practice your scales and work up your audition pieces.  you will get in--no problem. 
 

as for if it's worth it?  that's really not a question anyone here can answer but you.

best of luck to you 

[indianajo]

I don't see the point in getting the degree.  I do see the point of studying with a qualified teacher. Our local music school (U of L) does offer private lessons with a music school person for $x00 a trimester and $x0 per lesson.  I think getting practice time on a college owned piano is a rat race, anyway, it is better to own your own.
I've had a few lessons with a local PHD of  Music, who performs in the AGO (American Guild of Organists). He charges $x0 an hour without the trimester charge, and usually is generous with his time.  I think I'm playing master's level material, but don't see the point of a degree.  Just I enjoy the material as art that I'm creating myself, and need a little help now and then to stretch my knowledge. 
Without the degree and courses on your transcript, it avoids the conflict with employment office people about what your goals are.  Art is a life choice, not a meal ticket, IMHO.  Nobody is going to let you perform with the local pro symphony anyway, unless you get out and win some competitions.  And competitions for people over 25 are far and few between.
AGO has a performance certification programs for organists to give them cachet with church music committees. This gives you a string of letters to put after your name in program notes.  I suspect APG (American PIano Guild) has a similar program, but I am not in contact with APG here.  I'm not going for these, as i don't want the hassle of getting my performances approved by a church committee head anyway.  Look at the trouble JS Bach had - He started writing firey tocattas for pipe organ, and ended his career writing pieces for three and four harpsichords plus strings at the local coffee house, since the piano wasn't invented yet.  He probably wsan't allowed to play his best pieces on the pipe organ after a certain age. 

[Bob]

I could see full-time.  Get a chance to actually focus on something rather than being hugely weighted down with a job.  Very different learning experience.

Private lessons were nothing compared to being able to take theory, ear training, etc.  I don't think the lessons teachers I had excelled in all that.  Haha... I can't really see them looking over staff paper assignments from theory class much.

[dcstudio]

Private lessons were nothing compared to being able to take theory, ear training, etc..

...  it's the experience of music school and being around those other students and the professors... the jam sessions--study parties..  ahhhh  music history...  the obsessive practice before your juries..   

guess it's all about how serious you are about studying music and how far you want to go.

[garrickthegreat]

Ya, I'm starting again after a hiatus. It's like riding a bicycle. Few days into it, and it starts to feel more natural again..

[garrickthegreat]

Ya, I'm starting again after a hiatus. It's like riding a bicycle. Few days into it, and it starts to feel more natural again..