Son accepted into 5 very different trumpet programs...what next?

tromba1
Wed, 07 Apr 2010 23:00:07 +0000

I ran across this thread while looking for something totally different on the web…know a bit about many of the places/teachers mentioned. As a professional jazzish (not really sure how to describe what I do- some of it is pretty experimental, and I do a lot of world music) musician that was trained classically (I still do classical) I always wished I had more opportunities to learn while in school, and in some ways feel I didn’t make the best choices of picking schools. So I decided to register to put my two cents in the pot.

About the schools you listed:
Peabody- I’d say don’t waste your time/money. This school does not turn out the best players in my opinion in general. Jazz program is small, I know very few people out of it, the scene in Baltimore is very very small and the school is dominated by the classical scene. There will be very little opportunity to expand his knowledge of jazz and few people of like minds. Have heard mixed things about the new trumpet teacher there, Burgstaller- people either love him or hate him. If you’re really thinking about this school, I’d suggest taking a lesson to see if his teaching style is a fit.

UNT: I’ve heard varying things. I know quite a few people who went there and totally hated it, and it was largely due to the teacher they studied with. I know some others (smaller number) who liked it. Definitely more jazz going on, a pretty straight-ahead (ie, mainstream, not progressive/experimental/whatever you want to call it) place though. Lots of ensembles mean playing experience, and definitely in jazz, lots of like-minded students mean there are people to jam with. Most of the learning in school happens outside the classroom.

Not sure about the whole not being placed with a prof thing- when I was looking at undergrad schools the prospect of doing so (at Indiana, didn’t go there) was a total turnoff to me- luckily I wasn’t placed with one there or anywhere else I applied. In some ways it may almost be better to study with a grad student than a teacher- they have likely had to work through playing problems (and are in the midst of doing so)- can be much better than studying with a natural player who sounds great but may not necessarily get the process (or have forgotten what a young player is going through!). Take a lesson with the potential teacher(s) whenever possible.

OCU- I’ve heard good things about the program here. One of the guys was the moderator of an old trumpet nerd forum back in the 90s when I started trumpet, they are really into trumpet pedagogy and teaching there. Oddly enough, I was offered a full-ride academic scholarship to that school for undergrad without even applying based on test scores. I threw it out since I thought OK was in the boondocks. Generally for music you want to be near a big city, since that’s where the newest stuff is happening, most players congregate, and generally, most gigs are. But getting a solid foundation is great too, besides you can always go to school in a city for grad school (hint- go to grad school in a city you wouldn’t mind living in long-term). That’s great that someone from there went to Northwestern, but NC is really a hard-core classical- really, orchestral-based program. I ended up not going there since I realized I had absolutely no desire to single-mindedly pursue an orchestral career. If your son is not sure what he wants it is best to be in a more open environment.

VCU- Rex Richardson is an occasional colleague of mine and I recommend him whole-heartedly as a musician. I have only met one student of his and he was very unfocused with what he wanted to do with his life, but was a killer player. Rex is on tour a lot but is very serious about teaching, and is a super nice guy to boot.

GMU- Don’t know much personally about the teachers, but if NTC is there, at least someone there is pretty into trumpet geekdom and encouraging the studio. Also being near a big city helps.

I’d say if your son is really into doing some jazz while in school, UNT (studying with two teachers, or studying with a classical guy and working with his peers) and VCU (Rex Richardson, who is amazing at classical and jazz, I have played with him in both contexts) are the two I’d suggest. If he’s not quite sure, then taking a trial lesson is the best way to figure things out, I think it is a worthwhile investment if you can make it.

As a side note: I went to a state school for undergrad, and then a school that gave me a stipend for grad school. It was really great a year and a half out of school to be able to say I was debt-free. Remember, your son is going to be a musician when he grows up! Seriously though, not having debt really frees me, at least, to explore any musical avenues I want to pursue, without worrying about a day job to pay the big big bills. Also I wouldn’t feel so bad about doing something else entirely if I wanted to, since I’ve paid everything off.

Well, I hope this helps!