How Much Experience Do You Need Before Music School? | CAN I MAJOR IN MUSIC WITHOUT EXPERIENCE??

I recently received a great question on one of my other videos: how much experience do I really need to major in music? Let's talk through that today.

❋ TIMESTAMPS ❋
0:00 Intro
1:00 My musical journey
3:00 What music major might be right for you? / careers that intersect with music
7:47 Navigating audition requirements
8:56 Academic requirements to get into music school
9:46 Music courses - what should you know before starting school?
11:00 How to prepare for music school:
11:07 Take private lessons
13:13 Play in ensembles
14:37 Play in school ensembles
15:56 Take music classes in school
17:14 A few other tips
19:34 Advice from my Instagram followers
23:01 Book a College Audition Check-In with me!

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❋ FIND ME HERE ❋
Instagram: @lifefromtheviolasection
Facebook: @lifefromtheviolasection
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❋ MY EQUIPMENT ❋
Camera: Panasonic GH5
Microphone: Rode VideoMicro
iPad: iPad Pro 2020 12.9 inch
Sheet Music App: Forscore
Pedal: Donner Wireless Page Turner Pedal

❋ MUSIC ❋
Cradle Song by Reinhold Gliere, performed by Ottava Bassa Duo

[archiecook]

I just finished my degree in music education and my major instrument was voice. Definitely for me, by far the most important factor for getting into music school was taking private lessons. That was how I was able to get the proper training and guidance to succeed at the auditions. I took private voice lessons for about 5 years and private piano lessons for about 2 years before I started music school. My teacher for private voice lessons was also an alum from the school I went to. My high school didn't offer any of those more academic-based music classes like theory or music history BUT I did take choir all 4 years. Plus I did choir all throughout middle school too. So factoring in choir plus my private lessons I had been singing for 9 years total before I started music school.
RE: Other tips: On the topic of watching people perform I also highly suggest, if you can, watching music performances at the schools you are interested in. My music school does recitals every week from students and faculty and most of them are totally free and open to the public.
RE: Theory test: I had to take a placement test for theory, but the audition was what determined whether you got into music school, not the theory test. The theory placement test was taken after being accepted to music school and it simply determined which music theory class you would be placed in to start. If you got 70% or higher you would be placed in the standard theory classes that music majors typically start with and if you got a lower score you would be placed in a lower entry-level theory class intended to help you catch up. But if you didn't do well the first time you took the test, they would give you one more chance to retake the test and try to get a higher score. I ended up not passing the first time, then retaking it and barely passing the second time.
And yeah, picking the right teacher for your private lessons when you finally get in is super important. Like you said, it's especially important for those who are majoring in performance, but I think it is really important regardless of which music degree you major in, since in most cases you'll be taking lessons from them for all or most of your years attending and they can really serve a role as a core mentor for you in your studies.

[Harry]

Great video!! Thanks for demystifying music school one video at a time 😊

[caitlinbergerflute]

This is such a great and helpful video! Also I love your glasses and overall look/outfit! 😍

[nebustar]

I really want to prosue a Piano Music Performance career where I can either participate in or maybe even creating amazing music for video game soundtracks. But my big problem is that I have less than a year of experience with the piano and almost a Senior in High school. What advice would you'd give up to help me?

[benny-nkcx]

also i wanted to ask, is it possible for a person to major in musical performance if they only learned flute in their sophomore year of high school?

[benny-nkcx]

sorry if I'm late but you said "you'll have a 1 on 1 professor working with you" does that mean they'll help you when u major for music performance?