2collegewego

some advice.

I have a son who LOVES music and seems to have a natural affinity for it. He is in 9th grade, has taken drum set lessons and just started on tympani and bells. He wants to take piano to be a better percussionist.

He has never been in a youth orchestra and sure doesn't have a musical resume. Is it too late for him to ever be a musician? What do I need to do *now* to help him have that option in a few years? And how do I find really good teachers for him -- even in other instruments like piano?

His school music teacher actually teaches all the sections except percussion and, from what I can tell, he's never recommended a percussionist to all-county or all-state band.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

violadad

2collegewego- Welcome. First, I'd recommend formal lessons both for percussion and piano. The trick is finding the right teachers. Without knowing the availability of local resources, you're best bet is to ask the people you know (school orchestra/band director, friends, neighbors, relatives) for teacher recommendations. If you have one, a local youth orchestra usually has a long list of teachers of current and past student participants. Be prepared to take a sample lesson with a teacher before you sign up. It's pretty standard procedure to do so, as the teaching style, demeanor and personality of the student and teacher has to be compatible.
Also check with regional and local professional orchestras, as many performing musicians are supplementing income by teaching privately. Another source could be your state's music educators association or MENC (Music Educator's National Conference) or MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), both professional music teacher associations. They normally have a section with private teacher by instrument. You should be able to google the websites. The websites also normally have some FAQs on lessons, getting started, types of careers.

If you are in a suburban or urban area, you should have little problem finding a percussion teacher. Piano should not be an issue, there normally are numerous high quality teachers available everywhere. The piano study will help with musicality, sight reading skills, and elementary theory, and will aid him immensely long term.

I would also try and involve him in a local youth orchestra if possible. Interaction with like minded peers often is one of the best ways for him to increase his skill level.

I'm sure others will chime in. I would also recommend you read BassDad's post here So You Want To Be Music Major - One Family's Experience, particularly the earlier sections. You may not need all the info now, but it will give you a good idea of what the process involves.

Good luck.

binx

A couple additional thoughts:

You local or state music teachers association (MTA with the state initial in front) may have recommendations for you for teachers, especially piano. I found my kids' last teacher that way. (If it's not in your phone book, try Google.)

Second, be prepare - for the long haul - to drive a lot and pay a lot. Many parents get discouraged by the amount of money and time it takes. The best teacher for your kid might not be the lady in your subdivision, but rather the symphony artist downtown. And she/he won't come cheap. It's tough to balance the talent and commitment levels.

Sometimes lessons don't have to be weekly. (Piano lessons usually are, but other lessons might be every other.) So if the cost is too high, ask about alternatives.

If your son is just starting out, a band director or professional teacher might be able to recommend a former student as a cheaper or more available teacher. That is, someone in college, or someone just starting out, looking to pick up some extra money.

Also ask your band director for summer camp options. You don't need something real exclusive to start out - a local university might have a summer camp for high schoolers, for example. This would give your S more exposure, more experience, and probably some private lessons within the camp context.

If your S loves it, and makes real progress, you can start looking for more exclusive camps for the future.

Every state is different, but around here (GA) it is very difficult to make All State or the youth orchestras as a percussionist. The need vs the number of applicants is staggering. So that might not happen as a newbie; look for other outlets in the meantime.

Most instruments have a board like this, dedicated to their instrument. I don't know whether percussionists do or not, but it's worth Googling. You can get lots of specific insight about teachers, equipment, summer programs, etc.

Good luck!

violadad

Forgot to mention that immersion in a summer program with peers of his level is an invaluable experience as well. It does a number of things, including introduction to different teachers instructional approaches, exposes him to various levels of accomplishment among students both older and younger, and has a tendency either to solidfy his wanting to continue, or serve as a weeding out process for those that realize they have neither the talent, passion or determination to be highly competitive.

Having said that, there are numerous summer programs at various levels that welcome and encourage music performnce as a learning, lifelong avocation rather than a potential career goal.

thumper1

You should contact New England Music Camp. Last time I was there, they could have used some more percussion players. It's a great program because it mixes a strong music program with a traditional camp experience.

2collegewego

Just wanted to thank you guys. My internet went down and I wasn't able to get back on!

Binx, you are right and $ is somewhat limited. He is currently taking percussion lessons with a conservatory grad who helps coach the local youth orchestra-- not the lady down the street but not the top teacher who wanted to take him (and charges $80/hr). I might be able to get him in a percussion ensemble with that top teacher even if I can't afford his private lessons. I am also trying to squeeze in youth orchestra. (His theory class is on the same day as the youth orchestra rehearses.) He's currently in school band, on drumline and taking a theory class and a jazz improv class. It's cheaper for me to get him into classes and groups with some of the top teachers than to afford their fees for private classes. They all think he's quite talented though and the music school has a financial aid program-- I could apply for that next year.

I'm still trying to figure out his summer. I honestly can't afford a lot of the longer programs. Has anyone ever attended the program at the U of Miami? It looks affordable but I'm not too sure about the teachers since it doesn't seem to be faculty-taught.

binx

Are you in Florida? How far are you willing to travel for camps? Just like college, don't rule out some good places just due to money - sometimes the money has a way of showing up.

U of Miami has a wonderful music program, and I would expect their summer program to also be tops, although I don't personally know anything about it. It is not unusual at all to have different faculty at the summer programs. Since you do have contact with some top teachers, asking them for suggestions would be the place where I would start. One of the great things about summer programs is your kid gets the chance to study with a great teacher - or several - without a long term commitment!

2collegewego

No, I'm not in Florida but I have relatives there and I think my son could stay with them.

My son's teacher seems to want a program that concentrates on percussion and Miami doesn't quite fit that bill. Then again, I haven't found much of anything else. I'm going to look at those Peabody links and see if I find anything else.

cartera45

Take a look at the summer music camp at the University of North Carolina/
Greensboro. They have an excellent faculty, many of whom are involved in the camp. My D auditioned for voice there last weekend and had a long talk with a senior percussion major - he had lots of choices and chose UNCG and is very happy. He is a jazz percussionist.


http://www.smcamp.org/smc/overview.htm

binx

Found this camp today -- thought it looked interesting! I love the area.
http://www.cannon.appstate.edu/
Dr. Steve Barnhart - percussion faculty

cartera45

Appalachian State is in Boone NC - a beautiful place - I think it's a great choice for the summer.

foglikely

Cannon camp (App state) is a 4-week camp; scholarships are available available on a first-come-first-served basis and the deadline for scholarship application is March 31. DD attended for two summers and it solidified her choice to pursue music as a major.

Cosmos

Hi,
There's a percussion seminar at Juilliard during the summer. Your son might want to take a look at that -- I've heard good things about it from people who have done it.
Also, if you're in NY, Boston, or LA, you might want to look into the Pre-College programs at Juilliard/MSM/Mannes (in NY), NEC (in Boston), or Colburn (in LA).

hornet

I'd like to support Cannon as an excellent "first" serious camp. Both of my kids attended Cannon the summer following 8th grade (son did it for 8th and 9th). They loved Cannon and it was a great foundation for the summers that followed. D later won scholarships to Eastern and Brevard and is waiting to hear from festivals for this summer. Son also is awaiting results of festival auditions (he was at Cannon last year). D still speaks fondly of Cannon and feels the faculty was well qualified and the students a good group.

lorelei2702

My S attended Cannon post 8th and post 9th grades...he loved it.....super experience, terrific program, conductors, etc. Some of the applied teachers are not the regular full-time ASU teachers, but they have good people.