Which college path?

Visirale · #1 02-11-2007, 05:41 PM

I know that I want to pursue bass in college. I think my options will be as follows (I'm stupid for missing the miami dates...)

Rollins: Very good bass player as head of the jazz department. He's the first call guy in Orlando from what I've heard. The jazz department is somewhat small with only two jazz ensembles. Something like 10 bass players at any given time. Private school, depending on which academic scholarship I get, it will cost between free and $10,000 a year to attend here. This option is much more bass focused, and much less jazz focused... if that makes sense.

FIU: Established jazz major in Miami. Don't know about the faculty. The proximity to the Miami music and recording scenes is a plus for me. I should just about break even here.

USF: Established jazz program in Tampa. Don't know about the staff. Several different ensembles. I would end up getting paid about 10-15 grand a year to go here.

UCF: Next year is the inaugural year of the jazz studies major. The head of the jazz department is a highly regarded sax player (grammies). I would be in the first graduating class of this program. They've had jazz ensembles for a while, but the program is expanding and they'll have an adjunct bass professor next year. I'd end up getting paid 15-20 grand a year to go there. I would definitely be a big fish in a small pond here.

What would you recommend doing? I am pretty sure I want to pursue it on to the graduate level, and I would really enjoy going to Miami for that...

ryco · #2 02-11-2007, 07:56 PM

Community college, private bass teacher, good jazz piano or guitar teacher and as many bands/gigs as you can handle.

Visirale · #3 02-11-2007, 08:00 PM

Hah I can't do community college. My parents and counselors would kill me... the other "academic" colleges on my list are Princeton, Yale, Amherst, Brown, and Dartmouth.

But I get what you're saying. Chord theory is extremely important? I always wanted to take up piano on the side, so I guess that would help a lot.

And as far as gigging a lot goes, some of those towns on my list are more conducive than others.

202dy · #4 02-13-2007, 05:46 AM

If you have what it takes to gain admission to an Ivy League school have you considered Juilliard, Eastman, or UNT? There is a synergism that exists when you are surrounded by others that play at or above your level. Being a big fish in a small pond is attractive but you may not be challenged to push yourself to your limits.

If there is a scholarship attached to one or more of your choices that will figure into the decision. However, do not discount the networking possibilities of a first tier school. The money saved on the education may be far outweighed by the money that lost on future employment.

ding_man · #5 02-13-2007, 06:00 AM

I would take college visits to these places and that should help you decide.

**Freddels** · #6 02-13-2007, 11:13 AM

I would avoid the first one b/c 10 bass players for only two ensembles equals not much chance to play a lot.

If UCF will pay you to attend then you should seriously look there.

The other "inaugural" program I would avoid b/c there is no proven product and you will be their guinee pig (so to speak).

UNT has a great program, not too expensive and the rest of the university has some great things to offer too.

Daniel Baskin · #7 02-14-2007, 04:33 PM

Based solely on the information you've given us, my vote goes for FIU.

Visirale · #8 02-14-2007, 06:20 PM

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

I don't know why but I totally left off UNF.

It's the second best jazz school in the state, and my 2nd band director has extremely strong ties there. I studied with the bass professor over the summer, and he was amazing. I have an audition there march 3. Once again, due to my academics, I would end up getting paid 10 grand a year to go there.

I hope I get in

.

PocketGroove82 · #9 02-15-2007, 12:16 AM

what are you going do to with a degree in music?

Visirale · #10 02-15-2007, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PocketGroove82

what are you going do to with a degree in music?

Get a masters in music, and hopefully go on to the DMA. I want to be a college professor. Of course I want to record some on the way, but I'll take that as it comes. Eventually I want to be a jazz bass/jazz professor.

Gintaras · #11 02-15-2007, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202dy

If you have what it takes to gain admission to an Ivy League school have you considered Juilliard, Eastman, or UNT? There is a synergism that exists when you are surrounded by others that play at or above your level. Being a big fish in a small pond is attractive but you may not be challenged to push yourself to your limits.

If there is a scholarship attached to one or more of your choices that will figure into the decision. However, do not discount the networking possibilities of a first tier school. The money saved on the education may be far outweighed by the money that lost on future employment.

go someplace where you play all the time. My teacher went to Berkeley and his roommates were musicians and he always belonged to several bands and there were constant jam sessions. You can't beat playing all of the time. Actually I like the idea of Junior College. That was my best experience because it was smaller and more intimate. You tend to develop better social skills in a more intimate environment. And of course a great percentage of musicians I have played with could improve on their social skills...LOL

202dy · #12 02-15-2007, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visirale

Get a masters in music, and hopefully go on to the DMA. I want to be a college professor. Of course I want to record some on the way, but I'll take that as it comes. Eventually I want to be a jazz bass/jazz professor.

If this is the path you intend to pursue then please consider the following. Back before there were computers on every desk an acquaintance was a professional writer. He wrote resumes for people everyday. His comment on writing resumes for academia is that pedigree is everything. When seeking a job it was important to list the best schools, awards and accolades, grades etc. It was his opinion that there was nowhere that this was more important.

**Freddels** · #13 02-15-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202dy

If this is the path you intend to pursue then please consider the following. Back before there were computers on every desk an acquaintance was a professional writer. He wrote resumes for people everyday. His comment on writing resumes for academia is that pedigree is everything. When seeking a job it was important to list the best schools, awards and accolades, grades etc. It was his opinion that there was nowhere that this was more important.

It's true that pedigree is important in getting professor type jobs but also one's ability to play (and/or being a bit famous) helps a great deal. If the OP goes to UNF, which I believe has a very good program, and then gets a MM at another well respected music school (U Mich, UNT, one of the NY schools, etc.) then I think he would be in the running with all the other candidates. Grades are extremely important! Professor type jobs are difficult to get but not impossible.

Visirale · #14 02-24-2007, 01:17 PM

Ahhhh guys, I just got accepted at UCF. I'm really excited. I went in, didn't have the best audition, but I guess they still liked me. They asked me to go outside for a minute, then called me back and told me I was accepted into the jazz studies program. I know it's a new program and all, but the faculty is going to be great. Richard Drexler (the piano player for the Jeff Berlin trio) is going to be the bass teacher there. He was there for the audition, and my God, he's an amazing pianist. It was really fun.

Point is, I'm extremely excited that this is all coming together and I'm going to be able to pursue my dream of being a professional musician. I have my UNF audition next saturday, but I'm leaning towards UCF right now. There is a much bigger music scene here in Orlando... UCF is paying me 5k a year more than UNF. My bass teacher said I'd be a fool to pass up a chance to study under Drexler.

Thanks for the guidance everyone!

-Ted

SLaPiNFuNK · #15 02-25-2007, 02:16 PM

Does UofM still have a good jazz department?

SFjonstarr · #16 02-25-2007, 02:34 PM

Drexler is a monster. That would be a great way to go. Sounds like a pretty good situation overall.

Visirale · #17 02-26-2007, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Does UofM still have a good jazz department?

Amazing but too competitive for my tastes. 35 bassists at any given time with only 15 or so ensembles.

It's where I want to go for grad, hopefully.

jonstarr, I'm glad you hold him in high acclaim. I hadn't heard of him when I first heard about him, but apparently he's a pretty big deal, haha.

SLaPiNFuNK · #18 02-26-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visirale

Amazing but too competitive for my tastes. 35 bassists at any given time with only 15 or so ensembles.

It's where I want to go for grad, hopefully.

jonstarr, I'm glad you hold him in high acclaim. I hadn't heard of him when I first heard about him, but apparently he's a pretty big deal, haha.

You want some good competition though! Its good for you... And who's to say that the other 20 players are good anyway

That was one of the schools I was going to go to... but decided to move out of the state away from the parents and be on my own

What kind of music are you wanting to do?

Visirale · #19 02-26-2007, 02:54 PM

Haha yeah competition isn't bad, but I do the best when I'm around the best people.

And I think my bigger reason for not doing Miami is that I missed the audition date because my decision to do music professionally and not just keep it as a hobby came a little too late.

Anyway, yeah.

I'm wanting to get an extremely strong jazz background, then apply that to funk/latin/R&B/soul. I definitely want a strong foundation in jazz though...

SLaPiNFuNK · #20 02-26-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visirale

Haha yeah competition isn't bad, but I do the best when I'm around the best people.

And I think my bigger reason for not doing Miami is that I missed the audition date because my decision to do music professionally and not just keep it as a hobby came a little too late.

Anyway, yeah.

I'm wanting to get an extremely strong jazz background, then apply that to funk/latin/R&B/soul. I definitely want a strong foundation in jazz though...

From my experiance... (Little background)... I went to New World School of the Arts in Miami for high school... Spent 4 hours aday in jazz band, and then at UM for the Grammy in the schools program... I studied under Don Caufman for jazz as well as JB Dyas at NewWorld / Miami Dade all in highschool... I spent alot of time playing jazz...

I was offered a full ride to U.M., New School Manas, a couple others, and Berklee College of Music... It took me along time to make my decision... I decided on Berklee because there was sooo much that they had to offer... Not just alot of Jazz, but funk, fuzion, pop, rock and all kinds of stuff... it offers more studio experience, and overall musically, you can learn alot more....