Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner But seriously folks, how competitive is getting into a music school?

I just went through this, and I will be starting college (Hartt school of music) next month. I was nervous too, but the auditions are really not bad if you are very well prepared. It is tough, though, as there are many people appliying. As long as you have something important to communicate, you should be fine.

Not so competitive.



More competitive.

Indiana has ca. 350 piano majors, 80% of which are undergrads. Most undergrad schools aren't incredibly selective - it's when you start applying to MM and DMA that things get icky. At the undergrad level, most schools are looking for basic comprehension of styles as well as technical security. Graduate auditions have to exhibit strong musicianship and equally if not stronger technique.

Also, you want to consider going somewhere for a specific teacher. At Indiana, go for Karen Shaw, Emile Naoumoff, or Edmund Battersby.

Brendan, from what you have seen/experienced, how much of a difference is there in admission standards in a school like Juilliard, and other schools, like the ones above? Is it really a very wide margin?

The range of competitiveness is huge. Major conservatories are flooded with applicants and turn very good players away all the time.

Some smaller schools will admit almost anybody just to meet enrollment goals. (Though you may not be admitted to a performance degree at first...)

Brendan's estimation is correct - Michigan and Indiana will be more competitive than the others. Getting into a less competitive school does not, however, necessarily mean you'll get a lesser education. Great players come from (and are made) in smaller schools all the time.

It does become more important at the graduate level. It really does help if your doctorate (or even masters) comes from a "big name" school.

The path I took and the one I suggest to all students is to find an undergraduate program with a great teacher and lots of performance opportunities where you can really do a lot of playing. Do a masters program with a great teacher where you can surround yourself with great players for inspiration and collaboration, and go big guns for the DMA, especially if you're looking at an academic career.

Slightly off-topic question:

Does anyone know how hard it is to get into British schools of music?

e.g. RCM, RAM, RNCM, Guildhall, Trinity etc.

I'm a bit of a late starter and I haven't been aiming at this seriously so that would be a major drawback in terms of my actual standard compared to others. BTW, I'm just interested, but I feel I'd be a good musician if I had the chance.

Looking at their audition requirements it *sounds* as if they're a lot more lax than some of these US schools.