How to Choose a Music School

You’ve practiced, performed, and have a great audition prepared. Honor band, check. Solo and ensemble, check. Indoor, maybe drum corps? Check. Private lessons, check. You’re ready for the next step in your musical journey–here are the steps that will help choose a music school!

Your first step is to determine the type of school you want to attend.

Remember that all types have benefits and weaknesses, but that it matters more whether a school fits you.. In general, you can study music Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges/Universities, Conservatories, and through some online outlets.

Large Universities tend to have the largest class sizes, and Liberal Arts Schools the smallest. Conservatories run the gamut, but tend to have more focused study in music, and fewer general education/liberal arts courses. The choice here tends to be–whatever the school bills itself as, do I want a small school or large school, and do I want that in an urban environment, or a rural environment?

Smaller schools are nice, because they offer more individual attention, and everything is taught by actual professors, not graduate assistants. Larger schools, though offer a larger network of fellow students, which can be an asset. Urban schools offer the advantage of a happening music scene that you can join during school, while rural schools tend to have fewer distractions, allowing you to really focus on your playing, and finding your passion.

Online outlets, such as Berklee online, can be valuable if you’re tied to your location, and live far from a school, or have limited time to take classes. More and more institutions are finding ways to offer online education, and they can even be great to supplement another school–I had a music minor student that missed a course offering due to a conflict with a major course, and took an online class that was able to transfer in as credit.

Once you’ve determined the type of school you think you’d like to attend, it’s time to take these steps:

1.) Visit several schools of that type.

Get a feel for what the school offers. Make sure you speak with current students, as well as attend a class/rehearsal.

2.) Listen.

Learn what the specialties of the private lesson teacher at your top 10 schools are, and go listen to their music. Listen to the music of the alumni of that school. If you find that you really dig what you hear, move that music school to your top 5. If you don’t, drop it from the list. For instance, if you’re interested in attending MSJ, where I teach, please take a listen to my music!

3.) Take a lesson!

Learn who your primary private lesson teacher will be. At smaller schools, this is typically a single individual, while at larger schools, there may be more than one. It is VITAL that you find a mentor teacher that will guide you, that you can learn from, and that you won’t be fighting with everyday of your undergrad. Generally, music majors spend an incredible amount of time with their private lesson teachers, and a positive relationship can turn into a lifelong friendship. The opposite can easily happen, as well, so be choosy when you’re considering how your lesson went, but do remember that you want someone that will push you, and will expect you to improve.

4.)Research!

What kind of opportunities does the school you’re considering offer? If you want to perform, does it offer regular performances in the idiom of your choice? For instance, if you want to win an audition as a principle timpanist at a major orchestra, it would make very little sense to attend a school with no orchestra program. It can be done, but it’s not the most logical path. Do you want to compose, record, teach, engage in music therapy, or lead a church ensemble? Make sure you can find programs that engage in the activities that speak to your passion.

When you’ve spent some time on those 4 items, it’s time to choose.

You probably have a list of 3-5 music schools that really speak to you, that you really get a great vibe from the professor, and that you’re blown away by their offerings. At this point, the major differences usually come down to these two items:

1.) Cost.

Pick any 5 music schools in the country, and you will have a list of costs that are completely unique. You need to be realistic with this, especially in relation to your field of choice. In other words, can you attend the schools you’re looking at, and graduate with little to no student loan debt? It’s one thing for a doctor to graduate with a bunch of student loan debt, but the average musician does not make as much as the average doctor. I know, you’ll beat the odds, and become a household name. Most of the people that do, do that without massive student loans. Research the real cost, and research enough scholarships to pay for your program. There’s another aspect to cost and debt–be wary, because if you take loans to pay for school, but for instance, never finish school…you still have to pay those loans back, and we all hope that it’s not an unbearable burden, most especially at that point.

2.) Distance

There are those of us who want to pack a carry on, fly to southeast Asia, and spend 4 years getting a degree. Others feel better closer to home. Distance is a major factor for many of us. Face it, if you want your family to come to a concert, next door is easier than a world away. If family attendance and living situations aren’t a consideration, then packing your bags for some of the tuition free universities in Europe might be the right thing to do, but really think about that before you sign on the dotted line.

One more tip to remember–there are many fish in the sea. If you have only looked at one school, you’re doing yourself a disservice. There are thousands of opportunities, each with their own characteristics, and schools are hungry to get you in the door–it is to your benefit to speak to multiple schools, especially when we include cost, scholarships, and financial aid in the conversation.

Let me know your thoughts below, and make sure you join me on Facebook, YouTube, and Noteflight!

10 Things to Expect as a Percussion Major

Whether you’ve already been accepted, or are still wondering whether to audition, here are 10 things you should expect as a Music Major.

1.) Time Management is your new catch phrase.

Seriously, between lessons, percussion ensemble (including steel drum band), band (or orchestra and jazz band), and classes, you’ll be wondering how to get it all done. Not to mention that as a percussionist, you have to do that practicing on different instrument groups, as well. Ever played a thumb roll on tambourine? How about a one handed roll on mallets? What about all the standard rudiments? Ever played melodies on timpani? How about jazz versus Latin versus rock drum set? If these questions excite your desire for music, read on!

2.) Ensembles make the world go ’round.

We all know that the private lesson is one of the main points of going to music school. However, the politics of music schools mean that the school tends to revolve around the large ensembles. After all, that’s what the large performance hall was built for, they’re what represent the music school on university events, and in many cases, ensembles account for a good portion of your scholarship dollars. Pro tip: play in as many ensembles as you possibly can. The experience you gain, and the ability to balance in many settings is what will get you hired again and again.

3.) The conductor is always on time.

5 minutes early? Nope. 5 minutes late? Nope. The concert or rehearsal begins when the conductor begins, and not a moment before or after.

4.) Call time is when you show up.

It’s generally a half hour to hour before a concert or rehearsal. It is literally the time at which if you’re not there, someone is on the phone trying to see if you’re still alive, and if they have to reassign all the parts, or get a substitute. Fun fact, call time should always be earlier than the actual time. If not, how will you setup your instruments in time, when the conductor walks in 5 minutes early, and starts the show?

5.) Exploration is encouraged, but master the basics, please.

Every teacher wants to hear about cool new avenues of music, and how you relate to them. We all want to help you explore your personal passions, BUT, if you haven’t mastered the basics, give it a second. The basics aren’t some arbitrary set of skills we drill into people for fun, it’s because they are the literal base for all future playing. If you haven’t mastered the basics, expect your passion project to play second fiddle in your lessons, if it is mentioned at all.

6.) Strong personalities abound!

Whether in Percussion, or other instruments, you will encounter strong personalities, who are absolutely convinced that their way is the only way, and all other approaches are wrong. Observe what these people do well, and learn from them. Take the rest with a grain of salt, because there’s about a trillion ways to play a paradiddle, an infinite variety in the major scale, and many approaches can lead to the same result.

7.) You’re going to learn piano, and you should pay attention!

Next to your primary instrument, piano is at the center of a music school. Want to get better at theory? Play those inversions on the piano. Want to understand why a melody is so smoothly connected to the harmony? Put it on the piano. Piano is the physical representation of music theory, a subject many people struggle with. The better your piano skill, the better your theory grade.

Not to mention, the piano has so many uses. Perhaps your first job is directing a choir, but there’s no extra budget for an accompanist–turns out YOU are the accompanist! Perhaps you compose at the piano–just think, that’s how Pictures at an Exhibition began!

8.) Percussionists, you need to sing.

I get it, you’re a drummer, not a vocalist. Suck it up and match pitch. Nothing will change your tuning skill on timpani faster than your own ability to vocalize pitch. Not to mention, the better your singing, the easier it is to tune an ensemble, and the easier it is to get people to play a phrase a certain way. Remember, if you can sing it, you can play it.

9.) Make friends with the Education Majors, if you’re not one.

As a percussionist, you will get SO many jobs because they don’t know how to put together a hi hat clutch, or balance a timpani head and pedal. That doesn’t even include how many jobs you’ll get because they didn’t pay attention in percussion methods, or don’t have time to teach their percussion section separately from their winds.

10.) You need ear plugs.

Let’s be honest, percussion instruments are LOUD. Especially if you are practicing in small spaces, it is only a matter of time before you shred your ears. Take care of your health, and buy some high fidelity ear plugs. Vic Firth makes some great ones, but others do as well. If you’re practicing loud passages, or with abrasive instruments/mallets, plan ahead, and make sure you protect your ears. Even if playing softly or lightly, enough hours of Porgy and Bess, 12/8 Afro Cuban drumset, Ditty, or a million other examples can ruin our greatest asset as musicians-our ears!

7 Tips to Ace a Music Scholarship Audition

Your audition is scheduled, your video is in progress, your music is polished, and now you’re wondering:

How do I ace this audition?

My scholarship audition was a mistake.

I delayed the audition, because I didn’t think I was ready. Turns out I was just scared. When I finally did audition, I was nervous as all get out. Sure, I had played solos, and had private lessons, and been in a number of ensembles. But these guys were professionals! I had read their bios, met their students, and heard their ensembles–it’s why I wanted to go to their school.

Plowing ahead, I performed anyway, and they asked me to do a few things that seemed normal, and a few things that seemed strange. I was shaking through most of the audition, especially when I blew a measure in the Goldenberg snare drum etude I was playing-it was tough getting over that!

At the end, they told me I’d done well, and wished that I had auditioned earlier. When I asked why, they said, “Most of the money has been given away already–we’ll have to see what we can do.” I was flabbergasted–I’d never even thought that they could run out of scholarships!

I did end up with a scholarship, and a nice one, too. But I can still remember that audition, and the experience leaves me with much sympathy for hopeful young musicians.

You see, now I’m on the other side of the table.

I’m the one asking students to do strange, and yet normal demonstrations of musical knowledge and skill.

So how DO you ace a Scholarship Audition?

1.) BE PREPARED!

Learn what the professors that are sitting on your audition are looking for. This is most easily accomplished by asking them directly, either face to face, or through email. Websites are wonderful, and many list requirements…and many are also out of date, or are very vague. Direct contact is best. I ask students to perform at least one lyrical, and one technical piece. As I’m the Program Director at MSJ, I tend to sit a wide range of auditions, but I do get more specific for percussionists, asking for snare drum, mallets, timpani, and drum set. I also let students of all instruments know that they should expect to be asked to demonstrate scales, arpeggios, and perhaps some sight reading.

Generally, I tailor these expectations to the students’ ability level, which becomes obvious with the demonstration of any of the above items. In other words, I want to see what the student believes is their best work. It honestly doesn’t bother me at all to hear a student make a nerves mistake at an audition. It DOES bother me to hear a student attempt to play a piece way above their ability level. In that case, some gentle questioning usually reveals a lack of private lessons, or a private lesson teacher that is…opinionated.

2.) KNOW THE BASICS!

The next item I look for is their base level skill, and how deep it is. For instance, I’m not impressed by someone who can play the newest, most difficult, modern piece, but can’t play their major scales. That shows a lack of respect for what the basics can teach, or is a telling commentary on whether this student has a teacher, or can be bothered to watch 5 minutes of YouTube videos. Seriously, learn your scales, and in all keys, please. Believe me, scales can teach A LOT. So I’ll ask for scales, rudiments, etc. If you think you can hack your way through the latest hybrid rudiment, but can’t play a decent long roll, open AND closed (multiple bounce for those picky people), then I’m not so impressed with your book reports into blue cheeses.

I’m all for new rudiments, but again, learn the basics first. That’s why they’re THE BASICS!

3.) LEARN TO READ!

Whatever your instrument, learn to sight read. Just do it everyday, and you’ll get better. There’s a lot of strategies to improve your sight reading, but long story short, the more you do it, the better you get. If you’re struggling to read diatonic scale patterns with basic rhythms, don’t try sight reading Flight of the Bumblebee. That won’t help. Start by reading things you succeed at, and then increase the difficulty. Beyond Auditions, the better you read a piece at first sight, the faster you get to a performance ready level.

4.) TAKE A LESSON FIRST!

Almost all college professors will let a prospective take a lesson with them before their actual audition. Your future lesson teacher is most likely watching the scholarship auditions, and when the time comes to dole out dollars, their opinion will carry a lot of weight. Making sure you hit the points that professor is looking for could be crucial to your success. Taking a lesson could also save you from a wasted audition–in other words, your lesson could tell you that you aren’t a good fit for this school, because you can already tell that you and the professor are NOT going to be sharing the same goals for your musical journey. Best to figure that out before you commit to 4 years at an institution.

5.) SHOW UP EARLY!

Ever heard of Murphy’s Law? It states that what can go wrong, will. It’s pretty simple. Traffic will be terrible on your audition day…but only if you’re running late. You’ll forget to bring a crucial item, but only because you didn’t get out of bed early enough to leave on time. Perhaps you’ll arrive, only to find that none of the equipment is in the audition room, whether that’s a piano, a music stand, timpani, etc, and you have to take time out of your warm up, just to make sure that you’re able to play at your assigned time. I’ve seen it all, and trust me, if you’re even anywhere close to being late, most of them will tend to happen. Those who arrive early are ready to fend off Murphy, and play their audition free from his insidious influence.

6.) DRESS UP!

Some of us college people are still old school–I have colleagues that wear a suit and tie everyday. Some of us are not that formal, but the music world is strange in this regard–whatever you’re playing at your audition, you should have that level of dress. For instance, if you’re playing Bach, I expect you to look a certain way. If you’re playing Rush, I expect you to look different than if you’re playing Bach.

Frankly, cognitive dissonance is a thing, and it can negatively affect the perceptions you create in the audition committee. Don’t wear ratty jeans and a t-shirt if your audition entails high level orchestral excerpts in a recital hall. On the same note, don’t wear a tux if your audition consists of you performing with your heavy metal garage band at a local club. Music programs vary widely, and expectations can as well–dress to expectations, and you’ll do better.

7.) DON’T BE A JERK!

Finally, this is good life advice. If you’re hard to deal with in your audition, or particularly needy, or outright rude, the committee has to get past that. If you’re polite, prepared, and ready to be challenged by the committee, you’re more likely to do well, and receive a scholarship.

Here’s why–that rude person? The committee conversation would be like this, “That person was a great player, but I just couldn’t believe they were so rude! Can we justify giving them a scholarship? How will they represent our school?” On the other hand, imagine the conversation around someone that is polite, “That person was a great player, and so polite! They were prepared, and when we threw them a curve-ball, they rolled with it! Scholarship for sure!”

If you enjoyed this, have a tip to add, or disagree, please leave me a comment!

5 Best Types of Vehicles for Gigging

Your vehicle choice is critical to your success and well being as a gigging musician.

Having a great fit for your instrument, gig type, and physical health has a direct impact on your success at the gig. If you have to rent a truck for every gig, you’re not going to accept gigs as often. On the other hand, if you are in physical pain because of how tall your truck is, or how many times you banged your head leaning into your sedan, you won’t perform as well at your gig. We all know what a bad performance means for your future, so here’s my comparison of the 5 Best Types of Vehicles for Gigging Musicians.

It’s true, I do know a guy that used to haul his kit around with a two door car, but he was more the exception than the rule. He was never happy at load out!

I’ve had experience with several types of vehicles, as well as experience buying vehicles “with the goal in mind.”

When I shop for a car, I bring a tape measure!

Salesman always ask what happens if the car doesn’t “measure up.” When I tell them that I won’t buy the car, they start listening to what I want really quick! Many salesman seem to be intimidated by the thought of an informed customer.

Here are my pros and cons for the “5 Best Types of Vehicles for Gigging.”

5.) The Four Door Sedan

Pros:

CHEAP! We once had a ’99 Corolla, and not only was it inexpensive to buy, but it got 35mpg on AVERAGE! Beyond that, I think we could have replaced any part of the car for $3.

I mean, not really, but close enough.

Easy to park. Parking lots are designed for sedans.

Great trunk space. The interiors of trunks are way bigger than expected on economy sedans, because they just omit the finish materials. This is great for percussionists, as the extra couple of inches make a big difference!

Cons:

Limited height. Some instruments just do not break down far enough to fit in a sedan. For instance, it is very difficult to get more than two timpani in a sedan. It’s possible if the drums can be disassembled, but still difficult. Bowls are a certain size, and that’s why you bring the tape measure. Forget trying to get a 5 octave that has folding resonators in a sedan. On the other hand, 5 octave marimbas that have resonators that break into pieces certainly fit in a sedan. Hear that, manufacturers?!?!?!?!

Limited overall space. Sedans are designed to move ~~five~~ four people in reasonable comfort. They are not designed to move material. Given this, they have a low height, causing unnecessary strain during loading. They also have funny shaped doors that are great for people, but not great for bulky items,

Limited towing capacity. Some performers will eventually choose to have multiple sets of equipment. This will allow them to leave their gig set loaded in a ready to go trailer. Their other equipment is used for teaching and rehearsing, and is never moved. This is especially common in bands that need sound reinforcement, or those that play a lot. Most sedans are limited to towing the weight of the vehicle, and that doesn’t allow for much of a trailer.

4.) Truck

Pros:

You can haul anything. It doesn’t matter what it is, a pickup truck can handle it. Whether you’re talking towing, bed space, or height, that truck can take it. You can’t overload the thing, and even if you somehow manage to, just drive slow, you’ll be fine!

They run forever. Most trucks last longer than most cars. There are many theories about this, but I’ve had a couple trucks well over 200k, and no cars over that. I tend to think that no one is embarrassed by a beat up truck, but that a beat up car is just sad.

Safety. It’s true that trucks tend to rollover and fishtail, especially if you drive them improperly. Slow down, and you’ll eliminate most of those issues. In every other instance, a truck will be safer than other vehicles, and will protect your gear better. Ever seen a truck after a collision? Yeah, still looks like a truck. How about that sedan? Usually looks like a crushed tin can. Personal experience plays a part in my bias as well–my car accidents have been way more terrifying than my truck accidents. Your mileage may vary on this one, so choose carefully.

Cons:

EXPENSIVE. Trucks are expensive. The tires are bigger, there are more spark plugs, the gas mileage sucks. 16mpg was a GOOD day in my last truck. Bigger brake pads, bigger rotors, bigger whatever costs more to replace.

Too tall. If you’re lucky, you have one of those trucks from the ’80s or ’90s with a sensible height, and simple mechanics. Both of my trucks were after the year 2000. I’m still fairly spry, but there were many times I struggled to get in and out of the bed. Newer trucks are made so that their tailgates are almost at loading dock height. That is WAY too tall for anyone to easily load in and out of their beds, unless everywhere they go has a loading dock.

The bed. The bed is awesome. You can put anything in there. But anything can also go in there. Including rain, dirt, logs, road debris, etc. If you put a cap on the truck…you have to strap your gear in at the back, or crawl to the front of the truck bed every time you want to unload. Regardless, you have to strap things anyway, or you’re sending god knows how many dollars of equipment sliding around your truck bed on every turn. We’ve already talked about how the bed height is too tall anyway–complicate that with a cap that you have to dodge when you’re jumping in to your truck, and you’ll understand why I was always rubbing my forehead when I got to a gig!

3.) Van

There are two types of vans–a large panel/passenger type van, and a mini van. The panel/passenger van is an enclosed truck, and has exactly the same pros and cons as a truck, but with much easier access to the cargo area. For some reason, their load heights tend to be more sensible than trucks, and you can just walk to the back from the front to access gear. Vans also tend to have handy side doors, which makes them better than a truck.

Large vans are even worse in terms of safety than trucks, though, as they generally steer as well as a drunken whale at a packed Christmas party.

A mini van is kind of a combination of a truck, sedan, and station wagon. They’re generally awesome, run forever, and get better gas mileage than trucks. My main problem with them is that they’re minivans. I know. That’s silly, but I just don’t want to be a soccer mom, ok?

2.) Station Wagon/Hatchback

Pros:

They are huge, but still a car. I had a station wagon once, and I could fit 4 timpani, a xylophone, a vibraphone, bells, and most of my drumset in it. At once. As a bonus, with the seats down, I could sleep in the thing without hitting my head or feet on anything, and I’m 5’10”! I also once hauled all the students in a drumline with me to an event, at once. It was a small drumline, but we still had 8 people in the car, all with seatbelts! Gas mileage wasn’t as good as a sedan, but it was close.

Long! Those folding 5 octave resonators? Yeah, no problem. Plus I had a passenger with me.

Cons:

Height. Station wagons on the inside suffer from a lack of height. They are REALLY LONG, and kind of short. This is an issue if you have to turn a one-piece frame on its side.

Blind spots. GEEZ! I had to turn my head so hard so many times. I don’t understand why someone makes a car way longer than the sedan version…and then puts the same size mirrors on it! You would think vans or trucks had larger blind spots, while my experience is exactly the opposite. I could see anything anywhere in my truck, and almost nothing anywhere in my station wagon. The bubbled off windows of my station wagon didn’t help, and this whole rant may be model specific, but still!

They’re old. Take a look around. To get a decent sized station wagon, you have to buy an old car, or a Volvo. Everyone will gripe that a Subaru is a station wagon-no. I went to buy one, and took my tape measure. That thing was a sedan with a hatchback trunk. Seriously, I looked at an Outback and a Forester, and they both barely out-measured my old Dodge Omni.

1.) SUV

Pros:

SUVs have all the advantages of a large van, but with better handling. Most get almost the same mpg as a minivan, though there are some exceptions. Buyer beware.

Height. SUVs tend to have a great load in/out height, and have plenty of interior height. For instance, I also got 4 timpani, a set of vibes, and a bunch of drums into my escape. I didn’t have room for a passenger, but I generally only take me to the gig anyway.

Access. You can reach anything from anywhere in an SUV. It’s kind of crazy. My two favorites are the escape and the explorer. The escape for the mpg, and the explorer for the increased room and towing capacity. Small SUVs are iffy on towing, though they can handle much more than a car, loaded properly.

Cons:

Gas mileage. My current escape gets between 24 and 30mpg, which is way better than most of my cars, but still not as good as that Corolla we had.

Expensive. Kind of. They tend to be larger than cars, and so suffer from some of the increased size cost, but this varies wildly from model to model, and from year to year. For instance, my current Escape is slightly more expensive than that Corolla to maintain, but not by much.

Rollover risk. Just slow down. They aren’t cars, so don’t drive them like they are.

There you have it, my 5 Best Vehicles for Gigging!

Please take a look at my entry in Sheet Music Plus’s Holiday Contest: Mary, Did You Know? For Steel Drums. It’s an awesome arrangement, and I could use some validation of my “New Direction!” Also, check out the score video here.