Posted by not this time on November 19, 2000 at 00:52:44:
In Reply to: Re: Marine Band vs. College posted by College Student on November 18, 2000 at 22:39:12:
You will not make the connections nor get the proper exposure by going to a liberal arts school that is not particularly known for music, no matter HOW "GREAT" all of the faculty and students are there.
As a performer, in order to get someone to pay attention to you long enough to strut your stuff, you must first be able to get past their door (just as in most other extremely highly competitive professions).
With due respect to the young man above (and I've walked in his shoes), if all who teach you intend on you becoming a band director, it is unlikely that you will be given opportunities by them (even if they had the wherewithall to give them to you) to offer yourself up as anything BUT a potential band director. As an example: If you went through engineering school, you should not expect to be recommended by your engineering instructors as a fine up-and-coming commercial artist, even if you have that potential. They likely will recommend you as a fine young ENGINEER (etc.).
I will go one further: If you know in your heart that your studio instructor is incapable of winning (nor ever was) a position in a professional ensemble, you cannot expect that instructor to demand of YOU the extreme attention to detail required for YOU to have a chance at winning such a position. In addition, if you have the drive and ability to surpass your instructor in ability, the situation will become quite tense.