Studying Music at age 30? - need your opinion

[doowlehc]

I am a 30 years old and working in a non-music-related field.  My first love is music and I had been contemplating going to study full time in music school, spending 4-6 years (depend if I pursue Master Degree or just Bachelor Degree). 

Background of myself:
I have obtained the ARCT performance diploma from RCM in Canada 10 years ago.  I consider my playing to be above average, but not 'exceptionally good'.  I can play advanced pieces well and win fist prizes in local music festivals (such as regional Kiwanis Festivals in Canada), but not well enough to get into second round in International Competition.  Therefore I am not planning to pursue a full-time performer career, and I am contemplating studying in 'non-elite' music schools (i.e. not the top ones like Juilliard).  I love to perform, however, and I like teaching as well.   I had been teaching part-time for 10 years.

I like to ask:

1) do you think studying music full time at such a late age matters?   I have no financial issue as I have no family to support.  But any issues you can think of, such as integration with students, acceptance into the music school (do music school prefer younger students?)  , etc..?

2) normally when students graduate from music schools, what are the direction to pursue?  usually how do graduates find opportunities to continue performing? 

3) do you think studying music full time is wothwhile only for someone who is good enough to be able to get into a really good school like Julliard?  What are other options?  I always have this 'naive' impression that someone can afford to study music full time only if he can be good enough to get into the elite school like Julliard.  This is why I decided not to study music 10 years ago.  I know this way of thinking is wrong and hope you are not going to be offended.  Please give me your honest opinion.

[piano_learner]

Looking back now, 30 seems young 

I started taking formal piano lessons at 35  (a few months before turning 36) and passed my Grade 1 exam 11 months later. I wish I started at 30. Do it or you will regret it!

[wintervind]

This is almost exactly my prediciment.
I just finished by music degree in performance at 28 and I feel I have a fairly good performing ability yet I don't have much desire to compete.
I have always known that I would go on to grad school in music (piano of course!)but I am a little concerned about my chances and if age really is an issue in determinng acceptance. I really don't have much interest in persuing pedagogy, theory, musicology, ect. because I feel all these fields are learned, more practally, in the field of performance.
So I am just reiterating your question....

[earthward]

Integration w/ students certainly shouldn't be a problem.  There's a lot of age diversity at both music schools I've been at, and actually it's the older ones that are the most social and "popular" in a way because they're so mature and comfortable in themseleves while the younger ones are often shy, awkward or immature. 

I do know someone that's in her thirties and working towards her first degree in p. perf.   For some reason some of the profs are'nt well disposed to her... or so I hear through the grape vine.  I don't know how this manifests really or if it's just what she "suspects."  (There's some politics going on between the profs at my school so rumours like that can be exaggerated.)  But knowing the prof in question that "doesn't like her" it's possible that it's because she thinks it doesn't make sense for her to be there because she doesn't see career prospects for her.  But some profs don't have a problem with it at all so it really depends.  In general I don't think its a problem.  Anyways, I'm not saying this to be discouraging because I really think you should do it! 

I really like that there's older people studying music! It's so encouraging to me because it sort of reassures me that life doesn't end after your twenties I guess! But also it's just really enriching for the young "fresh-from-high-schoolers" to have older students around because they have way more life experience and maturity etc. so they can be really excellent role models and friends.   

[doowlehc]

thinks it doesn't make sense for her to be there because she doesn't see career prospects

this raises a critical decisive point for me:  'career prospects'!!  What held me back from studying music is:

1) I know I am not good enough to be a performer - I can perform may be 2 times a year for fun, but I doubt anyone will pay tickets to see me such that I can earn a living like that. 
2) So the only alternative is to teach.  Since I got ARCT in performance, and I have studied music on my own after that (i.e. listen a lot, read a lot about hsitory, art, performance etc..)  I am confident I am a good teacher.  So I am not sure why I should get into a full time music program if all I want is to teach after graduation
3) but the 1 BIG reason why I want to study music is to be able to meet other musicians.  To be able to practise 6 hours a day without having to go to work !!!  and to take some of the courses which I find extremely interesting - I can read all these on my own, but I believe being lectured by professors would be extremely valuable.  Also I will have lots of performance opportunities during that 4 years.
4) however, what still hold me back is - after that 4 years... then what next?  I love to perform - but where can I Find performance opportunities?  being a 'Professional' upon graduation, I can no longer be qualified to participate in Amatuer Music Festivals / Compoetitions (like Kiwanis).  I am not good enough to participate in open National / International competitions.  And the reason i like to participate in competitions is simply chances for me to perform the works.

any advice?

Thanks

[doowlehc]

This is almost exactly my prediciment.
I just finished by music degree in performance at 28 and I feel I have a fairly good performing ability yet I don't have much desire to compete.
I have always known that I would go on to grad school in music (piano of course!)but I am a little concerned about my chances and if age really is an issue in determinng acceptance. I really don't have much interest in persuing pedagogy, theory, musicology, ect. because I feel all these fields are learned, more practally, in the field of performance.
So I am just reiterating your question....

Wintervind... hi... great if you can tell me usually when people graduates from Bachelor or Master degree in music performance, what do they do after that? 

[wintervind]

Wintervind... hi... great if you can tell me usually when people graduates from Bachelor or Master degree in music performance, what do they do after that? 

well, surprisingly (to me) there were two older than me that graduated at the same time. But the performers were around 22, so I was at least 5 years their senior. Yet I think I had some advantages as far a musical maturity that they had yet to acquire, at least in my opinion -(maybe my fellow students would say differently!) I think being older, one has more confidence, yet also the knowledge that time is definately against us.

Right now, my goal is to somehow integrate music into my life totally. Like you said before (doowlehc) I also want to be able to practice 4hs a day and I want and be surrounded by musicians with the same aspirations.
So thus lies the the prediciment.
I think that graduate school is the only way (that I see so far) to integrate myself into the professional musical world.

[wintervind]

Integration w/ students certainly shouldn't be a problem.  There's a lot of age diversity at both music schools I've been at, and actually it's the older ones that are the most social and "popular" in a way because they're so mature and comfortable in themseleves while the younger ones are often shy, awkward or immature. 

See, the problem isn't making friends Earthward. It is weather or not we'll be accepted into the field of our choice without being discriminated against, by the faculty,  because of our age.

[wintervind]

Wintervind... hi... great if you can tell me usually when people graduates from Bachelor or Master degree in music performance, what do they do after that? 

sorry I forgot to answer the last part!

Some have gone on to be successful performers. (meaning-get paid for it!)
Others became successful teachers and still continue to perform.
Others have gone on to gradschool

and me, well.....

[SDL]

I dont think it matters what age you are.  Im now 34 (yesterday  ) and I stopped for about 5yrs+ after a Bachelors (BMus) and Performance Masters degree (M.A) and a year or 2 of studying with a concert pianist privately.  I went into I.T.  But Ive recently taken it up seriously again and Im better for it.  There are lots of amateur competitions now to get involved in and there are local concert halls that you can apply to.  Ive got a recital in September in a neighbouring town where I grew up.  Enjoy dont worry just do!

[pianonut]

dear Doowlehc,

doing what you love will always bring you success.  it might be that you have to start making up lost time by practicing a lot, but you will enjoy classes.  i'm faced with the same things, too, as i'm 43.  i have enjoyed classes that keep my mind challenged.  and, don't worry about acceptance or non-acceptance.  if you accept yourself, have your own goals, and don't rely soley on this basis of acceptance -- you will have many opportunies come your way based on your playing ability.  if you can play it - you're wanted (for your own recitals, opera/choir accomp.,take some organ lessons and play for weddings/funerals/church), take some conducting and you can do something with that, too.  there is so MUCH to do in music and there is less and less competition the more you become proficient and know what YOU want to do (not relying on teachers acceptance).  all you need when you graduate is some ideas of where you want to start reaching out.  ask for referral letters.  can't imagine (if you got good grades) any of your prof's not giving you that!