College for a Flutist

Heirii · Post by **Heirii** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 12:02 am

I've gotten great tips on getting into college with my flute. But I'm already a senior - and I've done nothing and I'm freaked out. I don't know where to go - but I know I want to go somewhere in the east or central of the US. I don't want to go to a school in the south for personal reasons. But anyway...

What is a good college to look into if I want to go into a Woodwind Performance major? I really do like playing the flute (I also clarinet and sax), and I want to make that my dominant instrument. Will taking the woodwind performance major, lack for a better phrase, 'lessen my teachings' for the flute? That saying, will I lose some benefits that flute performance majors will be getting? Because I want to play the other woodwinds, but I don't want to miss out on good flute opportunities. I don't know what I'm trying to write... but another question...

I don't know what college to go to. I'm not randomly shooting for Juilliard or something that's obvious that I won't be getting into, I just want to know of a University somewhere in the Central and Eastern area that has very good teachers, somewhere where you've had experience, and where the teachers are generally really good with their students, in terms of teaching.

I'm constantly looking for schools, and I just wanted a flutist's opinion. Thank you for reading a child's request TwT

Also, what are standard pieces for a college audition on the flute? And if I want to major in Woodwind Performance, do I have to perform on other woodwind instruments as well?

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 12:58 pm

Usually people get undergraduate degrees in one instrument and then specialize in woodwinds in their graduate degrees.

For audition pieces you're generally looking at Bach, Mozart, Paris Conservatory pieces, and a 20th Century piece for a high level school.

As for specific schools... I'm not going to answer that. I was recently burned quite badly by two players/teachers that I greatly respected and admired. So my attitude towards being a performing musician is quite bitter at the moment. I'm strongly considering a career change. Not out of music, but from performance into flute repair/marketing/sales.

One bit of advice: if you aren't already at an extremely high level of playing, and if you don't already have several connections into the schools, don't bother applying at places like Juilliard, Curtis, Rice, Eastman, etc. "Top Tier"/ "Top/Big 10" schools are viciously political and generally accept only those musicians who are connected and are technical wizards (even though many of them lack true artistry).

cflutist · Post by **cflutist** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:30 pm

fluteguy18 wrote:Not out of music, but from performance into flute repair/marketing/sales.

FG18, you do know that Kari Soper at Brannen Brothers has a Masters in Flute Performance. She's their Customer Service Rep and I have asked her to play test my new flute when it is completed.

Also, seems that all if not most of the employees at Carolyn Nussbaum also have Music Degrees (there is a video, can't remember if it was on Facebook or YouTube of them playing Flute Choir music).

flutepower · Post by **flutepower** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:45 pm

Hey Heirii,

I can't really help, as I am only 14 yr. old but beginning 11th
grade now and have been playing the flute for only half
a year. Some tips are to narrow down your
choices. Which state do you want the college to
be in? How top do you want to go - do you have a scholarship
to any colleges? Their are some nice colleges in SC but I suppose
that is rather in the south - I already have my college picked.
Sorry I can't help you at all... but good luck!!!!
~Melissa

Heirii · Post by **Heirii** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:13 pm

Thank you guys very much for replying

FG18... I haven't really been out in the brutality of the music industry yet, and I'm really sorry about the incident at the school. But if you enjoy playing, then keep playing - if performance is what you love, then perform! I've been through realizing that some respected musicians are just... 'not respectable' to put it lightly. Good luck. And I'm not shooting for top schools just yet, or I don't know if I will ever. I just want to be surrounded by genuinely good people with a passion for music.... so I will follow your advice.

Flutepower, I was definitely looking into South Carolina... but I'm not so sure yet. I don't know where I want to go... because I've only been in the south. But I want to get away from the south XD I really want to shoot big, but I don't want to shoot politically big. I just want to play....

I don't have any scholarships to anything yet. Well... I know that my county honor band handed out some to us, but I don't know about other honor bands. I don't know what to do. I'm really close to Southern Miss University, and everyone's trying to get me to go to it or Memphis University, but I don't want to. I want to get out of the south XP GAH I'm always shooting so big...

Anyone have any insight on University of Northern Iowa and University of Indiana?

concertmaster3 · Post by **concertmaster3** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 1:43 am

Bret has a good list of schools with WW doubling on his website.
http://www.bretpimentel.com/woodwinds/d ... -programs/

apicultrice · Post by **apicultrice** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 8:57 am

Hi Heirii,

I'm a Mississippian, so perhaps I understand a little (maybe) about why you might want to go to school in another place. I faced the same quandary about college, and ended up at the U of Alabama as a music therapy major, and then at the U of Arkansas as a flute performance major. I've since gotten my master's and am in a doctoral program, and have some insight on schools in the region if you're interested in chatting.. My email address is tapetrade10@hotmail.com.

I will say here that I think UNI is a fantastic program. Indiana will be quite competitive.

flutepower · Post by **flutepower** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 5:49 pm

Isn't there a way to try to get a flute scholarship...like a flute playing
record sent somewhere?
Any way, if you don't want to shoot really big - just to play - like you
said why don't you do a split major, not totally flute.
If you want to really major in flute, try to get a scholarship, and
go to a real prominent college for music.
I'm going to receive private lessons in the college I'm going to
(found this out during an opportunity weekend there). I'm
NOT good enough to get into the band, so I'm going to take private
lessons - this actually gives me a college credit!!!
I'm going to Bob Jones University

Any way, Good luck in searching!!!
~Melissa

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:37 pm

cflutist wrote:
fluteguy18 wrote:Not out of music, but from performance into flute repair/marketing/sales.
FG18, you do know that Kari Soper at Brannen Brothers has a Masters in Flute Performance. She's their Customer Service Rep and I have asked her to play test my new flute when it is completed.

Also, seems that all if not most of the employees at Carolyn Nussbaum also have Music Degrees (there is a video, can't remember if it was on Facebook or YouTube of them playing Flute Choir music).

If I get out of performance, then my game plan right now is to finish my undergraduate in performance, then get a degree in instrument repair at the Redwing Instrument Repair school and get an associates in Graphic Design. That should give me some marketability to flute companies/stores. I would be able to repair AND market AND play.

However, I don't think I will leave performance. Music is a bumpy road. I fell, scraped my knees, and it's taking them a little while to heal. :

:

AurokeFlute · Post by **AurokeFlute** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 1:20 pm

Id love to know what college you chose, im a senior and trying to find one currently!
Im not sure if you've heard of him, but his name is Kyle Landry, he is pretty big on youtube for piano. He goes to Hartford University in Hartford conneticut, he said they give out killer scholarships for performance, most of the performance majors are all 100% from hartford school of music

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 8:31 pm

Arlee · Post by **Arlee** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 5:43 am

I personally went to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. The music department there is a little bit smaller than some other schools but it is growing and one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much is everyone, teachers and students, got to know each other very well. It is a very close group of people.

The Flute instructor is Dr. Mary Jo White, who was definitely an amazing teacher to have. She is very accomplished and has a very good style when it comes to teaching. She will push hard but somehow seems to know exactly how hard she can push each student.

The rest of the faculty is absolutely the biggest collection of highly talented people who truly love to teach that you could hope to find anywhere. As long as you are willing to do the work they will definitely bend over backwards to help a student out.

Also, being in an area that has a winter where it doesn't go lower than 50 degrees was also wonderful

http://www.uncw.edu/music/index.html

YakkoZakko · Post by **YakkoZakko** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 5:31 pm

I would love some insight as well. My husband is in the army and I wasn't able to go to the college I wanted to go to right after high school (North Texas) Now I have been out of High School for 6 years and we are moving to Maryland. I am going to go to the University of Maryland. I have already talked to a few old directors and peers who are now band directors and they all said that they will write a letter of rec. for me. I still play as well as I did in High School. I would love some helpful hints so I am not standing there with a dumbfounded look on my face! Oh I am going to be getting my degree in Music Education. TIA!