I have been accepted to audition in-person at UM, one of highest ranked Music Schools. Thanks for all the help everyone! For reference, here is my prescreening tape. It's really bad (and I'm not being modest here) but this might help those who are curious about the difficulty level. If you ask a college how hard it is usually they'll just say it's "highly competitive", whatever that means! xD
I was wondering how hard it is to get into UMich's School of Music for piano performance?
I called and they said the acceptance rate was 35%. But I have no idea how good these people are! I'm assuming they're all pianists who have been playing a long time, but perhaps I'm wrong. I am only an average player probably below average, I want to get their BM degree in Piano Performance with Teacher Certification (Cus I think it lets me teach band in school, too!) but idk if I'm good enough.
I can barely find any videos or anything, I found one on youtube but idk if she made it or not.
I am practicing all day today and tomorrow to upload my prescreening recording by end of tomorrow, if I finish one of my recordings (3 songs, 3 recordings total) then I can upload it here and share it.
I'm recording this as one of my songs. I learned it last year.
I'm a little better than her and can play the song much faster like it should/could be (she plays it in like 3 minutes, i play it in 2). I get Division "I" Superior Ratings at Solo & Ensemble if you know that is. At State, I would get flat 40/50 rating on my solo.
She probably isn't good enough for UM level but again, I have no idea!
Thanks so much in advance!
I'm wondering because I might focus on practicing and just not apply to UC Berkely and UTexas Austin (which are due today and tomorrow).
UM's program seems really rare if it actually allows you to teach in band as well. Piano performance and music ed certificate? In just 4 years? I can't find this from other schools but maybe I'm wrong and it's not that hard to get a teacher certificate (but idk if that lets you teach band instead of just "general music" in elementary/secondary schools)
If it's not that rare or the audition is not that hard, I will have a huge sigh of relief ^^
Apply everywhere anyway? I decided apply to UT Austin the day the app was due and started and finished it in < 2 hours and the UC app is pretty straightforward. Can't hurt to try to apply to more places.
I know very little about the program as such – I know it has a reputation as one of the top grad music programs in the country (at least among not-music-only) schools and I know a few people who went there but I can't help beyond that.
All I can say is if you're going to apply, make sure you have a "safety" application as well: somewhere else you'd be relatively happy going where you're sure you can get in.
I was supposed to indicate on my Common App if I was going to apply to their School of Music but i already submitted it a while back for Early Action T_T So I'm going to try to call them but they probably won't let me send a new one...
Oh boy, seems like I've fucked myself over. Perhaps I should just apply to another school and get just a BM in Music Education (and take performance classes with electives) instead T_T I really don't want to waste a year in college trying to get in sophmore year but maybe a lot of people "waste" years while they figure out what they want to do? I just don't know what I would do for my first year if I can't take music classes lol... perhaps get a Business minor and practice to get into School of Music the next?
Will try to look for more performance + music ed degrees though. Godamn time is running out, I can't believe I've done this to myself.
the application process for umich begins as a 128 man tournament. each match is bo1 until the semis and finals, which are both bo3. Each round, applicants face off in the classic PianovPiano format in which players switch off playing songs of increasingly high difficulty on command, and the first player to get a score lower than 90% loses. As the rounds progress after the ro128 and the ro64, twists are added to the classic format. In the ro32 and ro16, players must play each song exactly one key up and one key down, switching every four bars. In the ro8, players must use their feet to press the keys and their hands to press the pedals. In the ro4, players must beatbox whilst they play each song. Last, in the finals players must a snare drum with their head to add a beat whilst they play. The winning player then gets to give all other players golden showers, and everyone gets in.
All you can do is apply everywhere you may want to go and see where the cards fall. Especially with music, since different music schools are often looking for different things. For instance, one of my friends from HS got into North Texas's music program, but not UTs, even though most people would probably consider UNT's music school harder overall.
As far as what you'd do if you aren't taking music classes, pretty much the same classes every other freshman is taking, regardless of their major. Unless you have alot of core curriculem classes already done from community college/AP classes, you'll be taking history, science, math, english, etc for the first year regardless. Trust me when I say, there's time for you to get into the music school if you don't your first semester.
On December 01 2011 09:52 Janaan wrote: All you can do is apply everywhere you may want to go and see where the cards fall. Especially with music, since different music schools are often looking for different things. For instance, one of my friends from HS got into North Texas's music program, but not UTs, even though most people would probably consider UNT's music school harder overall.
As far as what you'd do if you aren't taking music classes, pretty much the same classes every other freshman is taking, regardless of their major. Unless you have alot of core curriculem classes already done from community college/AP classes, you'll be taking history, science, math, english, etc for the first year regardless. Trust me when I say, there's time for you to get into the music school if you don't your first semester.
oh my fucking god THANK YOU
You're saying that even if you are a music student, you still need to take those OTHER CLASSES TO GRADUATE, RIGHT?
I kept seeing the "curriculum" for jobs like music and it would list all these courses. These are only courses to get THAT DEGREE, but you still need to fulfill GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS is that what you're saying?
Holy fuck! If this is true, fucking shit I love you! <3
On December 01 2011 09:43 AcrossFiveJulys wrote: Here is umich's application process:
the application process for umich begins as a 128 man tournament. each match is bo1 until the semis and finals, which are both bo3. Each round, applicants face off in the classic PianovPiano format in which players switch off playing songs of increasingly high difficulty on command, and the first player to get a score lower than 90% loses. As the rounds progress after the ro128 and the ro64, twists are added to the classic format. In the ro32 and ro16, players must play each song exactly one key up and one key down, switching every four bars. In the ro8, players must use their feet to press the keys and their hands to press the pedals. In the ro4, players must beatbox whilst they play each song. Last, in the finals players must a snare drum with their head to add a beat whilst they play. The winning player then gets to give all other players golden showers, and everyone gets in.
Just remember if you get in normally and try to transfer into the program, you'll still have to audition, and from the sounds of the program it may be a once a year thing. As for taking classes every other freshman will, I know programs like engineering and music generally have a really rigorous curriculum, especially if there's a teaching cert built into the program.
I know at my school if you weren't a music major from the start you were guaranteed to be there at least an extra semester. You definitely want to check with the school and make sure if you go there as a "regular" student you'll be able to complete everything on time without hiccups. Although they may say yes and you won't find out until a year or so in you'll have to stay extra, colleges love to get their money
Yeah, what Janaan said above is correct. I was a music performance major at North Texas and on top of all the music related classes, I also had to take core curriculum classes. (I took english and math first semester ^^)
A minimum of thirty-two credit hours of additional coursework in various departments covering the areas of humanities, natural and social science, one introductory psychology course, and the University's two semester English writing requirement
@tfang
THIS IS WONDERFUL. I seemed to have missed this small part! 32 credit hours in areas including SCIENCE and SOCIAL SCIENCE and ENGLISH
Meaning, I will NOT waste a year, and possibly I can still finish the music degree in the same 4 years! It is only a shame I couldn't try to audition to get into freshman year, but I absolutely loathed the idea of having made a small mistake and have to "waste" a year in college and be behind everyone T_T (well right now I actually am a year young, since I'm an immigrant lol).
Omg, this means I might even be able to still do the Dual Degree program at UM in 5 years that they offer... Businesses + Piano Performance with Teacher Certification. Their BBA undergrad program only need 45 business credits, meaning that if I do some summer classes in music (why the hell not music is fun ^^) and do 5 year program, I won't actually have that many classes per semester... 16-18 credits per sem, depending on how much I can take in summer ^^
(And if I change my mind to not do piano performance and/nor Music Education, or I simply don't make it in, that's totally fine I guess, I can still do Business and play music on the side for fun ^^. I'll have a good year to think about it!)
A lot has occurred to me; I learned about how college, life, etc., etc. works.
I have figured out a way to keep the most doors open. I will be going to UM in which I can take a BA in music and dual degree if I want with something else, or get a Bachelor of Music (dual degree or not) if I make it into audition, or possibly transfer to an easier music school if I want a BM.
Anyways I turned in my prescreening tape (preliminary audition basically) 4 minutes late, meaning I didn't make the priority deadline -- they would accept all the people they want who turned it on time before looking at mine.
My tape was LITERALLY HORRID, and I don't mean like missing 5 notes, I mean HORRID. I was playing all the wrong notes, speeding, no dynamics, audio only, even had to stop and restart a section in one song, etc. etc.
This has boosted my confidence, and hopefully it's not just a matter of luck, but that the auditions are not as hard as I had thought.
For anyone that might want to know how hard it is to get in, you can look at my recording and this might help you. It is absolutely horrible but... I guess they could tell that I did indeed have some playing skill anyways xD
Congrats on UM! I went to Northwestern (BS/BMus program), another school with highly ranked music and non-music programs, and I think having a breadth of education is never a bad thing. Good luck!
On January 27 2012 07:13 Melchior wrote: Congrats on UM! I went to Northwestern (BS/BMus program), another school with highly ranked music and non-music programs, and I think having a breadth of education is never a bad thing. Good luck!
So you dual majored? With a science? I heard that is like really hard :D
Current Michigan student here, and I'm extremely happy to see you'll be joining us next year! If you have any general Michigan-related questions, feel free to ask me and I'd be more than happy to try and answer them. Best of luck, and Go Blue!
On January 27 2012 09:26 We Are Dormin wrote: Current Michigan student here, and I'm extremely happy to see you'll be joining us next year! If you have any general Michigan-related questions, feel free to ask me and I'd be more than happy to try and answer them. Best of luck, and Go Blue!
On January 27 2012 09:26 We Are Dormin wrote: Current Michigan student here, and I'm extremely happy to see you'll be joining us next year! If you have any general Michigan-related questions, feel free to ask me and I'd be more than happy to try and answer them. Best of luck, and Go Blue!
Thanks a bunch :D See you next year!
*cough* are you on the sc2 team? xD
Haha, I'm not nearly good enough to try and compete on behalf of the university. Although, I'm not actually sure if our CSL team is still even active...I can't find any recent information about it anywhere >.<
On January 27 2012 09:26 We Are Dormin wrote: Current Michigan student here, and I'm extremely happy to see you'll be joining us next year! If you have any general Michigan-related questions, feel free to ask me and I'd be more than happy to try and answer them. Best of luck, and Go Blue!
Thanks a bunch :D See you next year!
*cough* are you on the sc2 team? xD
Haha, I'm not nearly good enough to try and compete on behalf of the university. Although, I'm not actually sure if our CSL team is still even active...I can't find any recent information about it anywhere >.<
Oh they actually won all of their matches except against Oakland University... which is my team, since I dual enroll high school / college classes :D
They rotate players too which is nice, seems like they want to give more people chances to play rather than having their best players play all the time!
On January 27 2012 09:26 We Are Dormin wrote: Current Michigan student here, and I'm extremely happy to see you'll be joining us next year! If you have any general Michigan-related questions, feel free to ask me and I'd be more than happy to try and answer them. Best of luck, and Go Blue!
Thanks a bunch :D See you next year!
*cough* are you on the sc2 team? xD
Haha, I'm not nearly good enough to try and compete on behalf of the university. Although, I'm not actually sure if our CSL team is still even active...I can't find any recent information about it anywhere >.<
Oh they actually won all of their matches except against Oakland University... which is my team, since I dual enroll high school / college classes :D
They rotate players too which is nice, seems like they want to give more people chances to play rather than having their best players play all the time!
Hmmm, I see. If I ever get around to having enough free time to practice regularly, I might just take the leap and get in touch with them. But thanks for letting me know that they're still going, because I had given up some time ago when I couldn't find them on TL. xD
I just want to make sure I understand - you were admitted to UM and are attending, but still have to audition to see if you can be admitted to the music school?
Even if you are not admitted to the music school you should be able to take private piano lessons with a grad student and perhaps re-apply after a year or two.
Another important thing to do to contact some member of the piano faculty and try to have a meeting or even a lesson (if you can afford it) around the time of the audition. Regardless of whether you are admitted they will be able to give you good advice.
I think you should take some time to consider the role music plays in your life, and what role you want it to play in your future. Enjoying playing the piano is not enough to make a music degree a good idea. You have to think about what you will really be doing with that degree. You are ahead of many others in that you realize you will be teaching. Your decision is not really about music, it is about teaching. Does being a general music teacher, or band teacher, or private piano teacher sound good to you? If so, go for it. If not, get a degree in something else and take advantage of the opportunity college will give you to have piano lessons with a good teacher at no cost for four years.
For reference, I have a BM in piano performance from a conservatory, and am currently working mostly as a private piano teacher. I never planned on being a teacher (I never planned on much of anything, whihc is part of the problem) but luckily I have found I really enjoy it. Even so, I regret not getting a more well-rounded education - I think I would probably have been happier doing a dual-degree program at a regular school. But hindsight can be misleading. I had a good time and consider myself pretty fortunate to be able make a living doing something I enjoy - and the conservatory degree has definitely smoothed that path.
One of my cousins did a four year music ed program that sounds similar to what you are thinking of, and she is very happy as an orchestra teacher in Texas - which despite its reputation for ignorance has some of the best public school music programs in the country. It seems strange to me that you would mention being a band teacher without playing a band instrument though - you do realize that you will have to learn *all* of them, right?
If by any chance you live in the NYC area, or are traveling through it on your way to visit/audition, I would be happy to try and help you prepare for your audition, just send me a PM.
Wow I totally didn't notice you said you got an audition, not acceptance yet -- sorry if I jumped the gun with congratulations. My well wishes still stand though!
Like HCastorp suggests above me, you should think about where you want to go with music. If you're really interested in teaching band, it may be better to try for Music Education rather than Piano Performance, as the audition may be less demanding (I'm not actually sure if that's the case though)... and if you aren't willing to put in the hours of practice required to do well with a performance major (I'm talking 5-8 hrs a day, I don't think you can get away with less than 3), definitely consider majoring in something else while taking lessons. I ended up dropping the BMus because I didn't have enough time to practice after all the engineering psets. Anyway, let me know if there's anything I can do to help for your audition!
I dug up my old college app recordings for nostalgia's sake -- although recordings never seem to go as well as you'd like them to: My College Audition CD
Hey I know you, you're a good Terran. I hope you get in, I have a few friends in the school of Music at Michigan. I'm not gonna lie though, they're good. I did S&E too with similar scores as yours and I don't think I could have had a chance to get into the School of Music. But I'm a violin player. Also keep in mind, S&E, at least I don't think, grades that harshly, there's not much separation between good and great.
I hope you get in! If you have anything to change on the app, I'd suggest calling into the school. They're usually very helpful.
On January 27 2012 14:21 HCastorp wrote: I just want to make sure I understand - you were admitted to UM and are attending, but still have to audition to see if you can be admitted to the music school?
Even if you are not admitted to the music school you should be able to take private piano lessons with a grad student and perhaps re-apply after a year or two.
Another important thing to do to contact some member of the piano faculty and try to have a meeting or even a lesson (if you can afford it) around the time of the audition. Regardless of whether you are admitted they will be able to give you good advice.
I think you should take some time to consider the role music plays in your life, and what role you want it to play in your future. Enjoying playing the piano is not enough to make a music degree a good idea. You have to think about what you will really be doing with that degree. You are ahead of many others in that you realize you will be teaching. Your decision is not really about music, it is about teaching. Does being a general music teacher, or band teacher, or private piano teacher sound good to you? If so, go for it. If not, get a degree in something else and take advantage of the opportunity college will give you to have piano lessons with a good teacher at no cost for four years.
For reference, I have a BM in piano performance from a conservatory, and am currently working mostly as a private piano teacher. I never planned on being a teacher (I never planned on much of anything, whihc is part of the problem) but luckily I have found I really enjoy it. Even so, I regret not getting a more well-rounded education - I think I would probably have been happier doing a dual-degree program at a regular school. But hindsight can be misleading. I had a good time and consider myself pretty fortunate to be able make a living doing something I enjoy - and the conservatory degree has definitely smoothed that path.
One of my cousins did a four year music ed program that sounds similar to what you are thinking of, and she is very happy as an orchestra teacher in Texas - which despite its reputation for ignorance has some of the best public school music programs in the country. It seems strange to me that you would mention being a band teacher without playing a band instrument though - you do realize that you will have to learn *all* of them, right?
If by any chance you live in the NYC area, or are traveling through it on your way to visit/audition, I would be happy to try and help you prepare for your audition, just send me a PM.
Wow, thanks so much for the advice! That is correct, I have gotten into UM, and am going to try to get into the UM School of Music. If not, I can try to get in later like you've said, and meanwhile take lessons from the supposedly great music school :D (For UMich though actually, you do have to pay an extra $200 per semester, but that's still worth the price). If by some awesome chance I can get in my first year, I could even dual-degree for 5 years to, as you say, get a broader education! (Well I can dual-degree by starting music later as well, but usually it seems that it's better to start music before the 2nd degree simply because the music courses are more sequential)
Yup, I've thought a lot about what band teachers do and things they have to worry about, etc. etc., I think it suits me. And I do play a band instrument actually, it's just that my "main" instrument is the piano so I auditioned on that! I play flute .
Wow, once again thanks for your kindness. Too bad I don't live in that area ^^
On January 27 2012 15:36 Melchior wrote: Wow I totally didn't notice you said you got an audition, not acceptance yet -- sorry if I jumped the gun with congratulations. My well wishes still stand though!
Like HCastorp suggests above me, you should think about where you want to go with music. If you're really interested in teaching band, it may be better to try for Music Education rather than Piano Performance, as the audition may be less demanding (I'm not actually sure if that's the case though)... and if you aren't willing to put in the hours of practice required to do well with a performance major (I'm talking 5-8 hrs a day, I don't think you can get away with less than 3), definitely consider majoring in something else while taking lessons. I ended up dropping the BMus because I didn't have enough time to practice after all the engineering psets. Anyway, let me know if there's anything I can do to help for your audition!
I dug up my old college app recordings for nostalgia's sake -- although recordings never seem to go as well as you'd like them to: My College Audition CD
Oh haha, I thought maybe you were talking about getting into the school UM, in which I did get into.
And once again thanks... this is an old thread haha, I have a bunch of these threads about college/life/music... Music Education of course is where I'll be going with, not a Piano Performance + Teaching Certificate (I realize now that that doesn't certify you to become a band teacher, it simply lets you teach piano in public schools, and, well, that's not something you see in public schools anyways)
Yeah I did hear that engineering is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, degrees to dual-degree with music/performance.
Thanks for your help
Oh, is that CD your prescreening or is that your final audition? Listening to it and wowwwww you were so good xD (still are, right?)
On January 27 2012 15:40 Chaggi wrote: Hey I know you, you're a good Terran. I hope you get in, I have a few friends in the school of Music at Michigan. I'm not gonna lie though, they're good. I did S&E too with similar scores as yours and I don't think I could have had a chance to get into the School of Music. But I'm a violin player. Also keep in mind, S&E, at least I don't think, grades that harshly, there's not much separation between good and great.
I hope you get in! If you have anything to change on the app, I'd suggest calling into the school. They're usually very helpful.
Go Blue!
=O did we meet somewhere before? CSL?
Thank you! Yup you're right, it's either you do well on your performance and get an A or Division I (they seem to be much easier on piano players and much harder on wind/brass though... which is strange since usually people start with piano much earlier), until you get to State S&E level where they grade you out of 100 (50 of those points are for your solo selection here).
I can second that, they are amazingly helpful and convenient! Before I was really afraid to call them, worrying that they're really busy and all that, and not wanting to help... but they are all really friendly and upbeat and seem to know almost exactly what you want to find out even if you don't word or explain it well xD
Nope almost 100% never met, but you have a lot of cool replays and strats that I use to mix it up. I think I use one of your TvP strats, not sure. I graduated in 2010, when SC2 wasn't even out yet and headed to S Korea. Unless you've been in S Korea in the last 2 years, we haven't met
On January 27 2012 17:09 Chaggi wrote: Nope almost 100% never met, but you have a lot of cool replays and strats that I use to mix it up. I think I use one of your TvP strats, not sure. I graduated in 2010, when SC2 wasn't even out yet and headed to S Korea. Unless you've been in S Korea in the last 2 years, we haven't met
Oh haha ok. I was wondering how you knew me.
Oh i see =O
On January 27 2012 21:13 forelmashi wrote: how long have you been playing piano?
Exposed to it when I was 2-3, wasn't patient enough to start learning (or rather, my mom/brother/dad aren't good teachers, they're impatient, etc. etc.). My brother started teaching me when I was 4-5, and then I got piano lessons at 5.
I never practiced much though... aside from the 30 minute piano lesson, I would only practice about an hour a week... once I hit later elementary school and middle school I was practicing like 30 minutes a week. I really regret it but at the same time I'm surprised I'm not as bad as I think I should be. If I had played 1 hour a day, or heck even 2 hours, I can't imagine how much better I would be.
On January 27 2012 23:42 Aeres wrote: Fuck yeah! Congrats on the audition, Yoshi! Kick some ass!
Good luck! Just finishing up my last semester here at UofM Best place ever <3
I am so jealous you are starting this process and (unbiasedly of course) think you should Go Blue. I have a friend (and TLer!) who is a UofM piano music major (double major with Econ, which is what I am studying). I'll try and get him to check this out and share any advice he has.
On January 28 2012 05:36 imPERSONater wrote: Good luck! Just finishing up my last semester here at UofM Best place ever <3
I am so jealous you are starting this process and (unbiasedly of course) think you should Go Blue. I have a friend (and TLer!) who is a UofM piano music major (double major with Econ, which is what I am studying). I'll try and get him to check this out and share any advice he has.
Wow that'd be great :D And yes I should definitely go Blue I 99% will at this point.
Do you play an instrument too then?
Too bad I won't get to see you there next year though lol
Oh haha, I thought maybe you were talking about getting into the school UM, in which I did get into.
And once again thanks... this is an old thread haha, I have a bunch of these threads about college/life/music... Music Education of course is where I'll be going with, not a Piano Performance + Teaching Certificate (I realize now that that doesn't certify you to become a band teacher, it simply lets you teach piano in public schools, and, well, that's not something you see in public schools anyways)
Yeah I did hear that engineering is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, degrees to dual-degree with music/performance.
Thanks for your help
Oh, is that CD your prescreening or is that your final audition? Listening to it and wowwwww you were so good xD (still are, right?)
The CD is one of those "supplemental materials" I sent to the other non-music schools I applied to and not an actual audition tape -- however, those are the pieces I auditioned with, minus the Liszt. I wish I was still good! I pretty much stopped after my third year, and the past couple years post-graduation have been a little rough career-wise so I hadn't gotten around to picking it back up. Reading your thread yesterday inspired me to play again for an hour or so though. Fingers incredibly rusty but surprising how much music I still have memorized! I think I'll try to aim for my just-entering-college level again at least.
Hi there Yoshi! First of all, congrats on getting an audition!
I'm currently a Piano Performance major at Michigan, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the audition process. I don't know too much about the teaching certificate program, but I can referr you to some friends in the program if you'd like. Feel free to reply or shoot me a PM if you'd like to chat.
As for audition "difficulty," I still have my old audition recordings from 3.5 years ago if you want to listen, though keep in mind that the competativeness of the audition process changes from year to year, since there are only 6-8 slots for piano students per year.
On January 28 2012 06:01 Hapahauli wrote: Hi there Yoshi! First of all, congrats on getting an audition!
I'm currently a Piano Performance major at Michigan, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the audition process. I don't know too much about the teaching certificate program, but I can referr you to some friends in the program if you'd like. Feel free to reply or shoot me a PM if you'd like to chat.
As for audition "difficulty," I still have my old audition recordings from 3.5 years ago if you want to listen, though keep in mind that the competativeness of the audition process changes from year to year, since there are only 6-8 slots for piano students per year.
Holy geez! 6-8? I hope you mean piano performance, not just piano in general? =O
I've actually read that 2 years (or was it 3?) ago, their website stressed that while an audition could help your chances of getting in, piano skills weren't actually needed. It was strictly for piano placement. And like you said it changes from year to year. Not sure how helpful it will be Thanks though! If I need it later it'd be great if you let me listen.
Oh haha, I thought maybe you were talking about getting into the school UM, in which I did get into.
And once again thanks... this is an old thread haha, I have a bunch of these threads about college/life/music... Music Education of course is where I'll be going with, not a Piano Performance + Teaching Certificate (I realize now that that doesn't certify you to become a band teacher, it simply lets you teach piano in public schools, and, well, that's not something you see in public schools anyways)
Yeah I did hear that engineering is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, degrees to dual-degree with music/performance.
Thanks for your help
Oh, is that CD your prescreening or is that your final audition? Listening to it and wowwwww you were so good xD (still are, right?)
The CD is one of those "supplemental materials" I sent to the other non-music schools I applied to and not an actual audition tape -- however, those are the pieces I auditioned with, minus the Liszt. I wish I was still good! I pretty much stopped after my third year, and the past couple years post-graduation have been a little rough career-wise so I hadn't gotten around to picking it back up. Reading your thread yesterday inspired me to play again for an hour or so though. Fingers incredibly rusty but surprising how much music I still have memorized! I think I'll try to aim for my just-entering-college level again at least.
Ah I see xD I thought something was off, since I didn't see a complete sonata which is usually required for a performance degree, but I saw 5 instead of 3 songs (performance degree is usually the only one that requires 5 pieces), so I was a bit confused.
Haha, yea memory is a cool thing. You can relearn a piece much much faster than you first learn it. Good luck on your career, hope you find time to play piano if that's what you want :D
On January 28 2012 06:01 Hapahauli wrote: Hi there Yoshi! First of all, congrats on getting an audition!
I'm currently a Piano Performance major at Michigan, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the audition process. I don't know too much about the teaching certificate program, but I can referr you to some friends in the program if you'd like. Feel free to reply or shoot me a PM if you'd like to chat.
As for audition "difficulty," I still have my old audition recordings from 3.5 years ago if you want to listen, though keep in mind that the competativeness of the audition process changes from year to year, since there are only 6-8 slots for piano students per year.
Holy geez! 6-8? I hope you mean piano performance, not just piano in general? =O
I've actually read that 2 years (or was it 3?) ago, their website stressed that while an audition could help your chances of getting in, piano skills weren't actually needed. It was strictly for piano placement. And like you said it changes from year to year. Not sure how helpful it will be Thanks though! If I need it later it'd be great if you let me listen.
Oh sorry, yeah 6-8 slots for Piano Performance enrolees. I wasn't aware there was a non-performance piano degree though. There are pianists in the music school who are Music Ed, Performing Arts Tech, or Composition majors, but they aren't considered Piano majors unless they are also doing a Piano Performance degree.
As for the "piano skills not required" bit, you don't really need much performance background if you're just applying for music education or a teaching certificate. If you are interested in getting in to Piano Performance or doing a dual degree with Performance and Music Ed, I believe you need quite a bit of piano expertise.
Then again, things could have changed since I applied...
On January 28 2012 06:01 Hapahauli wrote: Hi there Yoshi! First of all, congrats on getting an audition!
I'm currently a Piano Performance major at Michigan, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the audition process. I don't know too much about the teaching certificate program, but I can referr you to some friends in the program if you'd like. Feel free to reply or shoot me a PM if you'd like to chat.
As for audition "difficulty," I still have my old audition recordings from 3.5 years ago if you want to listen, though keep in mind that the competativeness of the audition process changes from year to year, since there are only 6-8 slots for piano students per year.
Holy geez! 6-8? I hope you mean piano performance, not just piano in general? =O
I've actually read that 2 years (or was it 3?) ago, their website stressed that while an audition could help your chances of getting in, piano skills weren't actually needed. It was strictly for piano placement. And like you said it changes from year to year. Not sure how helpful it will be Thanks though! If I need it later it'd be great if you let me listen.
Oh sorry, yeah 6-8 slots for Piano Performance enrolees. I wasn't aware there was a non-performance piano degree though. There are pianists in the music school who are Music Ed, Performing Arts Tech, or Composition majors, but they aren't considered Piano majors unless they are also doing a Piano Performance degree.
As for the "piano skills not required" bit, you don't really need much performance background if you're just applying for music education or a teaching certificate. If you are interested in getting in to Piano Performance or doing a dual degree with Performance and Music Ed, I believe you need quite a bit of piano expertise.
Then again, things could have changed since I applied...
Ok that sounds less scary xD Oh I see, yeah that's what I meant, like I applied for Music Ed and said my main instrument was piano.
That being said, conventional wisdom goes that you SHOULD have backup plans. So go apply to other schools, too. If you think UCB is too close, then drop it (California is broke anyway ) but do try Texas if you can.
On January 28 2012 09:54 Sufficiency wrote: I have been to UM before, wonderful place.
That being said, conventional wisdom goes that you SHOULD have backup plans. So go apply to other schools, too. If you think UCB is too close, then drop it (California is broke anyway ) but do try Texas if you can.
Haha ok yeah UCB is awesome cus you don't have to audition, though tuition is really high and I'm out of state xD I'll be trying Texas, but recording only I'll need to find a good place to record lol... luckily a new music store just opened up with a recording studio xD
I'll be settling down at UM though first, and not apply to any other music schools, since i'm not 100% sure i even want to do music (my piano teacher says you might find something else you like while you're in college, he himself isn't full time because he says it can be frustrating making money only as a musician)
EPT
) but do try Texas if you can.
