Conservatory vs University Programs

Emily asks:

"I'm a sophmore in high school and I'm starting to think about where I'm going after high school. I've heard that conservatories are a lot more expensive than universitites, and that will be a major concern for me. Is that true?

How big of a difference does a conservatory education make in the "real world" as far as a performance career goes? I know there's a good in-state university where I could even get a master's or a doctorate in performance.

John responds:

Emily,
It is great that you are starting to think about this now. I am always amazed at how many applications to Hartt do not include a teacher preference. Wherever you go you will be spending a big part of your life in a one to one situation. Now is the time to start compiling a list of possible teachers. For a start, ask your teacher for suggestions. Then make inquiries - maybe on this list - for recommendations from students who are now at college. Flute conventions and masterclasses are a good way to be exposed to some possible teachers, maybe during next summer - and perhaps you would be able to arrange a lesson with a couple of your prospective teachers. If not before, I would certainly recommend taking a "trial" lesson before you choose among the schools that accept you.

I am sure that conservatories have considerably higher tuition than state universities (particularly in-state), tho they often have considerable talent awards for gifted students. Conservatories are eager for good students and will offer as big a scholarship as they can to attract them. However, I must say that I am always disappointed by the student who says (s)he will go to the school that offers the biggest scholarship. This is a most important time in your life, and the quality of your education is always the most important factor.

I have said on this list before that a performance degree (particularly at a conservatory) is something to embark on against everyone's advice only if you are absolutely convinced that there is nothing else you can imagine doing with your life, and you know you have the talent and the competitive drive to succeed. Otherwise I would always recommend taking another major, such as music education or music management, and exposing yourself to as many non-musical areas as possible. You can still work hard to develop your flute talent, and perhaps move to a performance major at the graduate level. One of my best students was a music ed major at Hartt. She went on to graduate flute work at Juilliard and now plays at the opera with me. Some very successful flutists in the world have taken university degrees in completely unrelated fields.

If you should indeed finish up your education as a prospective professional performer, the place you have gone to school will have little to do with getting a playing job. It is true that if it was a famous school or a famous teacher you might get a little keener attention, but mostly you are anonymous behind a screen. Apart from having the best teacher you can find, you need the opportunity to develop your aural and theoretical skills. Again, I am amazed at how little background American highschoolers have in these areas. Now is the time to start if you haven't.