Grad school results
Welp, they're all in. I got into all of the schools I auditioned for, and am pretty happy about the whole experience. If anything, it makes me feel more confident in my playing. Here are the stats (they're all per year):
Northwestern: Offered me full tuition ($38,000)
Eastman: Offered me about half tuition ($9,800)
CCM: Offered me 90% tuition ($18,700)
Rice: Offered me 75% tuition ($21,000)
Yale: Full tuition for all students ($27,000), waiting to hear if I will be getting a stipend
Right now I'm leaning towards Yale. There are only 6 clarinets in the studio, so I will automatically be getting many opportunities to play. The Yale School of Music is comprised of only graduate students, so I will only be interacting with intelligent, serious musicians. The clarinet professor is David Shifrin, probably the most prolific clarinetist of my time. Not only do I study his recordings of chamber and solo pieces (which I love to death), he is an internationally-renowned endorser of classical music, and holds the position of Artistic Director of the Lincoln Center. He seemed very nice and down-to-earth at my audition, was very friendly, and gave me good vibes. Not a creepo like some of these guys.
Walking around Yale was a really neat experience. Coming from a large university with budget cuts every year, it was nice being in an atmosphere where the arts and education were emphasized and wholly supported. The campus was absolutely beautiful, and the town was inviting and alive. It also wouldn't hurt to be living right between New York and Boston.
So, I think that's what's going to happen. I'm excited!
Northwestern: Offered me full tuition ($38,000)
Eastman: Offered me about half tuition ($9,800)
CCM: Offered me 90% tuition ($18,700)
Rice: Offered me 75% tuition ($21,000)
Yale: Full tuition for all students ($27,000), waiting to hear if I will be getting a stipend
Right now I'm leaning towards Yale. There are only 6 clarinets in the studio, so I will automatically be getting many opportunities to play. The Yale School of Music is comprised of only graduate students, so I will only be interacting with intelligent, serious musicians. The clarinet professor is David Shifrin, probably the most prolific clarinetist of my time. Not only do I study his recordings of chamber and solo pieces (which I love to death), he is an internationally-renowned endorser of classical music, and holds the position of Artistic Director of the Lincoln Center. He seemed very nice and down-to-earth at my audition, was very friendly, and gave me good vibes. Not a creepo like some of these guys.
Walking around Yale was a really neat experience. Coming from a large university with budget cuts every year, it was nice being in an atmosphere where the arts and education were emphasized and wholly supported. The campus was absolutely beautiful, and the town was inviting and alive. It also wouldn't hurt to be living right between New York and Boston.
So, I think that's what's going to happen. I'm excited!