So… your child wants to be a
Music Major? Now What?!?!
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Dan Brenner
Spring Grove Area High School
March, 2013
Why Take Private Lessons?
• Music schools are highly competitive and a
successful music school audition can lead to a
music scholarship.
• Your child’s music directors can only do so
much during the school day.
• There is no substitute for sitting down and
learning from a professional.
“Many of our successful auditionees have had private lessons outside of the
school's lesson program. Students who do not have private lessons may not be
as competitive in an audition. So the students and their parents need to think
about what they can do to prepare for an audition (which also is used for
determining merit scholarships at many schools).” – Sue Haug, Penn State
University
http://music.psu.edu/sites/music.psu.edu/files/styles/medium/public/haug.jpg?itok=H-2CkFnJ
Why Take Piano Lessons?
• All music majors must pass a piano proficiency
to earn their degree.
• Piano skills are a key component to music
theory classes.
“I recommend private piano lessons for a high
school student planning to become a music major,
regardless of their "main" instrument. A good piano
teacher will also explain the theory behind the
music, such as major and minor tonalities, chords in
inversion, and so on.” - Kevin Eisensmith, Indiana
University of Pennsylvania
http://www.arts.iup.edu/facmus/tptprof/images/kevin.jpg
Why Join Choir?
• All music majors must pass a voice proficiency
to earn their degree.
• Vocal skills are a key component to aural
theory and ear training classes.
“In terms of skills the most necessary skill is to be able to
sing tunefully. Without being able to sing, there's no real
musicianship. We won't accept a student who can't sing.”
– Philip Tacka, Millersville University
Video About Choirs
http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/DBB207B4-7D95-4114-BB09-87E8B8CA5960
http://www.millersville.edu/music/img/staff_ptacka.jpg
Why Take Music Theory?
• All music majors are expected to complete 4
semesters of music theory.
• Many students drop out of music school due
to their lack of music theory understanding.
“Most students coming into our program are weak in
music theory.” – Douglas Bomberger, Elizabethtown
College
http://www.etown.edu/depts/music/images/Bomberger-Douglas.jpg
Why Participate In Many Musical
Activities?
• There is no substitute for experience.
• Music schools are looking for well rounded
musicians.
“Students need to make sure that their education
isn't myopic..."I play the clarinet!" If that's all they
do...it's sad. They need to sing as well as play.
They have to understand that they want to be a
musician...not just a player. It's their overall
musicianship that will make a difference in their
performance ability.” – Philip Tacka, Millersville
University
http://www.millersville.edu/music/img/staff_ptacka.jpg
Important Links
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How To Choose A Music School
Twelve Benefits of Music Education
Benefits of Piano Lessons
Music Theory Basics
Music Training Games
Questions?
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or
concerns at any time.
BrennerD@sgasd.org
717-225-4731 (ext 7605)