Dear Alma, I get poor value from my music school
OrchestrasFrom our agony aunt:
Dear Alma,
I am a student at a reputable music school pursuing an advanced degree. I am happy with the program and am learning a lot, but the one area in which I would like to focus – the orchestral program – has a lackluster conductor. There are often sub conductors, and we hear that our conductor is away long-distance biking. When he is there, he either runs the pieces, or stops and picks unhelpfully on individuals. The guest conductors are mostly students, sometimes fairly good, and local conductors of regional orchestras.
Signed,
Not getting my Tuition’s Worth
Dear NgmTW,
In my experience, both as a student and faculty member, there is never an across the board excellent school. Even the legendary teachers can be inconsistent, and sometimes a sabbatical replacement teacher can surprisingly change a person’s life.
NgmTW, you sound quite happy in general, and maybe it’s a blessing that the disinterested conductor is away pedalling himself out of his crisis. In the real world, an orchestra has many guest conductors, and the students coming in to conduct are probably pretty psyched to be there. Just learn the orchestra rep, practice until you collapse from exhaustion, and enjoy the strengths of your program rather than obsessing about the weaknesses.
Life is a mysterious bag of goodies, some good and some bad. Just reach in there and make the best of whatever you happen to pull out.
Questions for Alma? Please put them in the comments section or send to DearAlmaQuery@gmail.com
I second Alma’s comment about preparing for the real world. Looking back over many years I never cease to be amazed at some of the big name mediocrity around at times. Equally I have been pleasantly surprised by some unexpectedly great, relative unknowns. It’s just what life throws at you everywhere including the music business. You’ll not change it so go with the flow and learn the repertoire ready for the big wide world.
Don’t practise till exhausted. Practise slowly, thoughtfully, listen carefully and take breaks. On YouTube find “The Super-Virtuoso’s Advice Everyone Can Follow” (Lukasz Kuropaczewski). Good luck
I agree that slow (focused ) practice is themost underestimated tool in the pianist’s arsenal. Also listen to how one sounds not how one thinks it sounds.btw: see
Conductors come and go, your job at this point is to learn the repertoire and learn it well. You will never have a choice who conducts you if you are a career orchestra musician.
Are you insane????? Get your money back and go to a school where someone cares! You’re paying for that aren’t you? Perhaps even going into deep debt?? Get out now!
I have several music degrees and I have taught music at 14 colleges and universities. I know what is going on. Harvey Philips “We have surrendered the music schools to the non-musicians.”
Business first, musical education last. Students are commodities that serve the needs of the faculty and administrators. I no longer participate in the scam.
thank you alma, as someone studying music at Goldsmiths this was very uplifting