SFSU jazz program information for old guy?

[BassBot]

I'm a 27-year-old upright bass player who is moving to San Francisco this fall from Washington, D.C. to be with family. I've studied with a local professional jazz musician for the past year, but prior to that I had relatively little formal training and mainly played electric bass. However, music performance and education have always been my passions; I just never had the courage to pursue them formally until now.

I'm interested in earning a degree in music (I already have one in physics) with a concentration in jazz. Then, maybe earning a teaching certificate to teach music in public school some day. I'd read some great things about the SFSU jazz program. I wondered if anyone has attended and can tell me whether, given my age and background, this program might be a good fit for me.

Any information and advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Obviously, I'm contacting the school and the bass faculty member as well. Thanks!

[TroyK]

I don't know how to tell you this, but you're not old. If you're able to be a student at this point in your life, I'm confident that the school would not have an issue with your age. There are always some older, returning students in various programs. My guess is that you wouldn't be the oldest.

Contact them about audition requirements and see how you feel about your ability to perform against them. Consider how long the program is and consider if you could be a dedicated student for that period of time. Then go visit and decide if it's something you want to do.

I'm sorry that I don't know anything about that particular school, but probably someone else will.

Troy

[BassBot]

Thanks for the supportive words. I've already contacted the school. I am a bit worried about competing against younger guys who have studied with professionals since birth. But since my goal is really to teach (and not to be a touring virtuoso or orchestra member), I guess being the best I can be is the most important :-)

[TroyK]

I think that's more the point. I'm answering not because I know much about this, but because I think similar thoughts about myself at 39. I've met and talked to professors and students who have done back to study music later in life. Age isn't really a barrier (especially not mid-late 20s). It's likely to be more of an issue to the older student than the school.

That being said, the bigger hurdle I think is that kids are getting turned out of high school programs with terrific skills these days. A lot of the admissions testing is geared towards them, so there are likely to be a lot a rudiments requirements; 2 or 3 octave scales in all keys (in tune and at some specified fast metronome setting), 2 octave arpeggios, etc. If you came over from EBG a year ago, they've probably got a leg up on you in those areas. You would know better than I would. I think that someone asked Lynn Seaton this question in his forum and he pointed them to UNTs on line audition requirements. Look for things like that and see how it sits with you and by all means, talk to the school. They'll give you better info than we can.

It might be a good question to pose to Mr. Seaton as well.

Troy