Yale makes Graduate Music School Free

[karlaBOO]

Saw this just now. I think it's amazing, and almosy got teary/weepy.

Sun Nov 6, 4:49 PM

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - In most of America's top conservatories, the world's most promising musicians are often deep in debt and giving music lessons just to cover the rent and close the gap between their scholarships and graduate school tuition.

But a $100 million donation is about to change that scenario at The Yale School of Music.

The anonymous donation, announced this past week, will make advanced music education free beginning next year. Music scholars hope it will pressure other schools to do the same.

"Money is a big factor," said Yale master's candidate Clara Yang, 24, who paid for her first year with loans, financial aid and by teaching piano lessons.

The current year's tuition at the Yale School of Music is $23,750, and about 200 students are enrolled each year.

Half the former art and music students surveyed by college lender Nellie Mae in 1998 had debts bigger than their salaries and most said that, in hindsight, they should have borrowed less.

"These are incredibly talented people who do wonderful work and enter careers that are not high-paying," said Yale President Richard Levin. "Even members of the great symphony orchestras don't make a lot of money."

Joseph W. Polisi, president of the Juilliard School and a graduate of the Yale School of Music, said music graduate students sometimes enter the work force with debts as high as $75,000 and without a guarantee of a job.

"How do they pay off those loans? Often that high debt forces the artists out of the profession entirely," Polisi said.

Five to 10 percent of Juilliard graduate students pay full tuition, Polisi said. The rest receive financial aid that covers most of the costs, he said. Despite that aid, he said, Yale's new policy will give it a recruiting advantage.

"It will be an important wake-up call to all schools that graduate students, by nature, are poor and need help," said Richard Killmer, an oboe professor at the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music.

Killmer, who for years has also taught classes at Yale, said money concerns frequently force students to take side jobs that can interfere with their studies.

By removing the tuition barrier, Thomas Duffy, the acting dean at the Yale School of Music, said he hoped to recruit students who might otherwise not even consider attending music school.

The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, which is almost exclusively undergraduate, has been free since 1928. Dean Robert Fitzpatrick said going tuition-free keeps schools from lowering their standards, even slightly, to accept those students who can pay their own way.

"You do that often enough and the quality of the school is diluted," Fitzpatrick said. "The difference between the best and least student at Curtis is very narrow."

Fitzpatrick said he doesn't expect a sea change in tuition policy among the nation's conservatories. The best schools already find a way to accept the best musicians, he said.

"Yale already had this profile: They were a small, elite school that was already giving massive amounts of financial aid," he said. "This is simply the icing on the cake."

[Hardcoregirl]

I love music and all, and it enriches my life, but I wish someone would give money to something with more of a chance to help more people eat or survive.

I guess I don't see why some person needs to play violin for an orchestra or whatever those graduates go on to do, and many people are starving in our country...

I mean, ya know?

[iblis]

I love music and all, and it enriches my life, but I wish someone would give money to something with more of a chance to help more people eat or survive.

I guess I don't see why some person needs to play violin for an orchestra or whatever those graduates go on to do, and many people are starving in our country...

I mean, ya know?

i see your point, but at the very least this particular donation might, in it's own way, reduce the number of starving in our country. starving artists, at least. lol

[tat2jay]

maybe the idea of "give a man a fish, he eats for a day, teach a man to fish..." etc etc?

[shadow dancer]

A good friend of mine graduated from New Mexico State with a degree in Music Education, which is under the music department there.
He went on to teach for five years at a public elementary and high school in Kansas.
Following that, he came to UTK to get his master's in Music Conducting. While he was here, he was still getting letters and emails from several of his students that just wanted continued correspondence with him and to keep him updated with the progress of their music interest. He even went back several times to Kansas to visit coworkers and the kids.
Since then, he has gotten his PhD and is teaching at a University. He still continues to work with high school students and teach private lessons to children of all ages.

That's one story, and there are many more out there like it. If Yale is like UT, and several of the music department graduates go on to teach in the schools, I think its awesome that someone donated the money to Yale to keep some of the music teachers of tomorrow from being in so much debt. I think we all know that teachers don't choose to be teachers for the money. I'm a strong supporter of music in the schools, and I commend anyone that goes through the effort of getting a degree to pass on their talent, ability and love of music to children. Its a creative outlet that children have the potential for excelling at that needs to be encouraged for those who have the interest.

[karlaBOO]

I love music and all, and it enriches my life, but I wish someone would give money to something with more of a chance to help more people eat or survive.

I guess I don't see why some person needs to play violin for an orchestra or whatever those graduates go on to do, and many people are starving in our country...

I mean, ya know?

Oh, I completely understand. I get very upset all of time at the way that government funding is distributed. "Let's spend 3 mill. on a hwy. that goes nowhere instead of feeding and housing thousands of people that served their country". *snarky* I hate that crap.

But in this case and Individual decided to do something for the arts, which to me is a step to insure that we have some degree of culture in our country. The Government does not do enough to even keep the arts in the public school systems.

It makes me wonder, and hope, that this will cause some sort of Trend amongst the monied people. I just hope that it doesn't get to a point when all support for the arts becomes privatised. Jeez, think how tight Washington is with it's money for the arts now. Let's hope it doesn't get worse. Just last school year, the primary school where Boo went had to let go of it's ONLY art teacher, and Boo had no art class last year, AT ALL.

[iblis]

Just last school year, the primary school where Boo went had to let go of it's ONLY art teacher, and Boo had no art class last year, AT ALL.

that is sincerely messed up, and on a number of levels, too.

i mean, i can't draw a straight line with a ruler. i have never been, nor ever will be what people consider an artist.

but taking classes on it helped me develop a better appreciation for art in general, as well as developing stronger abilities in understanding spacial relations.

which, later on, led to me writing code that could 'draw' - and map - for me.

[Obscurity13]

Hmm... I believe I know where Im going to apply to graduate school now. Yale wasn't even on the list with Eastman and Julliard until now. This makes me very excited. Im one of those poor music major types. This fucking rocks our world, to a major degree. Obviously a lot of people understand how huge this is, but talk to any music performance and music education major that is considering going to a good graduate school program for performance and ask them how huge this really is to them and their profession. Absolutely fucking amazing!

[Silent Huntress]

A good friend of mine graduated from New Mexico State with a degree in Music Education, which is under the music department there.
He went on to teach for five years at a public elementary and high school in Kansas.
Following that, he came to UTK to get his master's in Music Conducting. While he was here, he was still getting letters and emails from several of his students that just wanted continued correspondence with him and to keep him updated with the progress of their music interest. He even went back several times to Kansas to visit coworkers and the kids.
Since then, he has gotten his PhD and is teaching at a University. He still continues to work with high school students and teach private lessons to children of all ages.

I think we all know that teachers don't choose to be teachers for the money. I'm a strong supporter of music in the schools, and I commend anyone that goes through the effort of getting a degree to pass on their talent, ability and love of music to children. Its a creative outlet that children have the potential for excelling at that needs to be encouraged for those who have the interest.

My son has decided to become a music educator. We've had the "you know you won't get rich teaching" discussion and he still wants to do it. His love of music and his abilities with children are the driving motivation behind the decision. I hope to be able to tell stories like Shadow Dancer's once he graduates and becomes a teacher.

If he were able to attend Yale for graduate school, how wonderful would that be? We definitely couldn't afford to send him there without something like this happening. Many blessings upon the person or persons who gave this wonderful gift for the education of some of our most talented individuals.

[Obscurity13]

Yale's graduate school tuition is actually pretty cheap, when compared to conservatories. When I read this article I went over to the Yale Music School's website and its only about 23,000 bucks. And considering Im about a year and a half out from graduating with my undergraduate in Music Education, Im looking at some big name schools for my graduate work. What University does your son teach at Shadow? If its a good program, it'd be great if you could put us in touch to talk about the graduate school program out there.

Also, Huntress.... That's great that your son has decided to go into music education. I assume he's a high school senior? Be sure you discuss with him the challenges of being a music education major. Its extremely hard work, he will be required to fulfill the requirements of both the College of Education and the College Music's for the degree. Its basically like double majoring in Education and Music, and of course throw in hours upon hours of practicing, rehearsals, homework and performances. What instrument is he going for, or is it vocal? If its instrumental, he's looking at about 12-20 hours of practice (for instrumental) on top of rehearsals and all that good stuff. But its definately worth all the hard work. And its such a great pleasure working with kids, I was in charge of the music program at a summer camp up in New York the summer before last and had a blast working with the kids. Its definately something you have love to be able to devote sooooo much time inside and outside the class room.

Feel free to talk to me a bit if you want any information about good programs or whatever if you feel the desire to....

[Silent Huntress]

Actually, he's a junior this year, just getting a head start on looking at schools and career choices. He's been interested in teaching since he was in elementary school, but just recently decided that he wanted to teach music. So far, he's checked out the transfer program at Pellissippi and was rather impressed.

I know you're a friend of Scarlet's, so perhaps we could get together sometime and discuss this. He does have a tendency to listen to peers more than Mom. I think it would be good for him to hear it from someone already in the program that really knows what's going on.

But he did say that graduate school at Yale would be "OK", which is, for him, tantamount to jumping straight up and down and screaming for joy!

[shadow dancer]

What University does your son teach at Shadow? If its a good program, it'd be great if you could put us in touch to talk about the graduate school program out there.

Actually, he's just a good friend and is teaching undergraduate courses at North Carolina State and filling the role as the assistant band director for the university. To my knowledge, they do not have a graduate program in music yet. (His Master's was in conducting at UTK and his PhD was in conducting at the University of Southern Mississippi.)
He's quite familiar with a fair amount of the music programs across the US for graduate schools, so if you are considering going on for graduate programs, he's actually a really good one to talk to. He's played with different groups throughout the United States and has gained quite a bit of familiarity with the programs through the people that he has had contact with. He made his choice for graduate schools based off the people that he would be able to work with and be instructed by, but as he said when he was making his choices, if he were going a different route such as performance, etc., there were other schools that he would have probably thought about instead of the ones he chose.
Let me know if you have an interest in talking with him, and I can hook you two up via email.

[Obscurity13]

Actually, he's a junior this year, just getting a head start on looking at schools and career choices. He's been interested in teaching since he was in elementary school, but just recently decided that he wanted to teach music. So far, he's checked out the transfer program at Pellissippi and was rather impressed.

I know you're a friend of Scarlet's, so perhaps we could get together sometime and discuss this. He does have a tendency to listen to peers more than Mom. I think it would be good for him to hear it from someone already in the program that really knows what's going on.

But he did say that graduate school at Yale would be "OK", which is, for him, tantamount to jumping straight up and down and screaming for joy!

Absolutely, just drop me a line on here and I'd be happy to talk to via e-mail or even in person sometime. The transfer program at Pellissippi is great for beginning music majors. Most of the staff there have excellent resumes and are very very friendly. Im actually there at the moment as a little sorting time after leaving the trumpet studio at TTU after some disagreements with the trumpet professor there. (Im not going to get to ranting about him.)

Probably finish out my last year and a half at UTK, unless Im made an offer I can't refuse at another University. Then onto graduate school! If I can ever get out of undergraduate. Blah.

[Obscurity13]

What University does your son teach at Shadow? If its a good program, it'd be great if you could put us in touch to talk about the graduate school program out there.

Actually, he's just a good friend and is teaching undergraduate courses at North Carolina State and filling the role as the assistant band director for the university. To my knowledge, they do not have a graduate program in music yet. (His Master's was in conducting at UTK and his PhD was in conducting at the University of Southern Mississippi.)
He's quite familiar with a fair amount of the music programs across the US for graduate schools, so if you are considering going on for graduate programs, he's actually a really good one to talk to. He's played with different groups throughout the United States and has gained quite a bit of familiarity with the programs through the people that he has had contact with. He made his choice for graduate schools based off the people that he would be able to work with and be instructed by, but as he said when he was making his choices, if he were going a different route such as performance, etc., there were other schools that he would have probably thought about instead of the ones he chose.
Let me know if you have an interest in talking with him, and I can hook you two up via email.

Oh, I didn't catch the part about it being a friend. Everything else I caught though.

Im most definately going onto graduate school for music performance and Im considering going back after my Masters in performance to get my Masters in conducting. It'd be really nice to have both those graduate degrees. As far as performance go (and probably conducting for that matter) I've already started to make a list of places to audition. Those are:

Eastman School of Music
Boston University
Julliard (Not that Im good enough for their graduate program but I can dream.)
Yale (cause of recent events)
Cleveland Conservatory

I've already got some serious contacts at Cleveland Conservatory and Julliard. My high school assistant band director recieved his trumpet performance masters from there, which is what I'll be going for, and I've met the entire Julliard brass staff. They came through with their brass quintet and performed at TTU and worked with the trumpet ensemble and I got the opportunity to talk to them about graduate school considerations. However, I would love to talk to your friend a bit about conducting programs and maybe some additional performance programs. Cause any connections and recommendations I could land for graduate to get a possible assistanship would be fucking brilliant.

[shadow dancer]

I've already got some serious contacts at Cleveland Conservatory and Julliard. My high school assistant band director recieved his trumpet performance masters from there, which is what I'll be going for, and I've met the entire Julliard brass staff. They came through with their brass quintet and performed at TTU and worked with the trumpet ensemble and I got the opportunity to talk to them about graduate school considerations. However, I would love to talk to your friend a bit about conducting programs and maybe some additional performance programs. Cause any connections and recommendations I could land for graduate to get a possible assistanship would be fucking brilliant.

It sounds like you have made some good connections already. My friend actually had some contact playing with some of the Julliard crew (can't remember if they were students or staff) for a cd recording, so he was able to gain some good information about that program. His roommate here in Knoxville got his degree in trumpet performance from the Cleveland Conservatory (outstanding program) and I think is now in Las Vegas, but they still keep in touch. I will PM you his email address so you two can talk if you wish. One of his best ways of making connections was by attending the Midwest Convention. It is usually in December in Chicago, and its a good place to make even more contacts and talk to professors about their music programs if you haven't already been.

[Obscurity13]

That'll be great... Yea, I just don't want to goto Chicago, Im too porr at the moment to afford the gas money. I've met a lot of people just from master classes and performances where I got to work with the groups. Also, I made a lot at the National Trumpet Competition a year or so ago.

Mucho appreciated... I'll be waiting for that e-mail address.