My dad is trying to talk me into going to Juilliard?

Question:I play trumpet, and I find everything rather confusing. Is it just for music majors? What's the age range? The site wasn't of much help. Anyone that already goes there wanna help?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I play trumpet, and I find everything rather confusing. Is it just for music majors? What's the age range? The site wasn't of much help. Anyone that already goes there wanna help?

I am pushing 60 years old. When I was in undergrad school (a thousand years ago!) I had to opportunity to audition for Juilliard in tech theatre and acting. I could not afford to travel to New York - so I passed. I STIIL regret not taking the shot - just to ahve the experience.

I say if Dad wants to pay for the audition - give it a shot. But only IF you want to play trumpet as your job.

There's many great schools where you can study say, engineering, AND music.

It's a prestigious, competitive music school. If you dont want to major in music and really make it your life, it's probably not the best school for you.

Juilliard is one of the top music Conservatory's in the world.

They have both a precollege division which serves students aged 12 to college and then they have the college division.

This school is a serious music education institution with the goal of preparing you to be a performer. However, many students who attend schools like Juilliard, Peabody, Manhattan School of Music choose other careers upon graduation. I have colleagues who have gone on to become lawyers, doctors and politicians.

It is a place where you will have a chance to develop your musical potential to the highest level. However, the challenge is to be accepted. The auditions are rigorous and also one will have to take entrance music theory and history exams. Those exams are for placement. Your audition is the most important factor in your acceptance.

The best thing to do is to speak to the registrar at Juilliard and they can tell you if you are of the level of the students entering. First of all, if you play trumpet in high school band you may not be accepted. It is not like applying for a University. You have to have had serious study for years and for trumpet know a number of orchestral excerpts, trumpet concertos and solo trumpet works. You should also have significant performing experience. And technically you must be at a certain level. A school like this is not for the average high school band member or marching band member. It is a serious school where they only except 5 to 10 freshmen trumpet players a year. They will probably audition close to 200.

With that being said, I don't know how you play so I can't even tell you if you stand a chance. Just think about it... if you want music as a career and you have serious study you have a chance.... if you play in your band at high school and that is the extent of your playing, Juilliard is not for you.

I'd like to emphasize that Julliard is not just a music conservatory. Its other programs (like the acting conservatory and technical theatre program) are among the best in the world.

You need to be very good just to get through the auditions and you need to be MOTIVATED to see it through. If your dad has to try to TALK you into going... then it's really not for you... you should be BEGGING him to let you go.