Hi:
I am a 17 yo violist. I have been playing since I was 5. I finished up High School at 16. I did this to focus more in my college repertoire and preparation. My parents have done so much for me and now costs are becoming unbearable for them. They always try to keep a positive attitude, but I know they are stressed. Is there a good way for me to get information about their funding site out in? I do not want to break forum rules or anything like that. I really do not have many Facebook or social media friends, so I am unsure on how to do this.
Thank you for any help. :)
Sarah
Hi Sarah. I won't be of much help because I have not studied music formally, but there are many contributors here who have, and I think they will have useful advice for you.
In the mean time, I hope you will decide to participate the the various discussions of music going on here. The contributions of an actual musician are always interesting and you may find it interesting and rewarding.
Hi Sarah,
Have you auditioned for local competitive youth orchestras? The high end youth orchestras pay their players a stipend. Congratulations on finishing up school early, that is very impressive! I also would encourage you to get in touch with the local youth orchestras and reach out to the concertmaster or music teachers affiliated with these orchestras to get ready for auditioning and get their guidance. There are some very good music schools that are free because they have many benefactors and patrons. In Los Angeles, there is the Colburn school of Music https://www.colburnschool.edu/ (https://www.colburnschool.edu/) that is tuition free and very prestigious for example. Maybe there is something similar in your area. Best of luck to you!
Thanks for all the responses.
I have already had a consult lesson with Martin Beaver at Colburn. I will be submitting my initial applications there soon.
A short Bio on me:
I played in the Youth Symphony here in Colorado Springs from 6 thru 12.
At 13 I started playing for a professional orchestra as the assistant concertmaster.
At 16 I decided to leave the orchestra to focus in my college audition repertoire.
I study under Linda Wang at Denver University. I also play for the University Orchestra.
I have competed in numerous competitions. I won a good amount of them too.
Even with all those contacts I find it very difficult to even qualify for grants, scholarships, funding, etc.
I know once I get into a college (like Colburn) it will become much easier. It is just getting there that is the problem.
My parents have taken out loans, my dad sold all of his collectibles and they work second jobs cleaning house and schools.
I work gigs (where can find them) and teach a small amount of students.
My parents started a fundme site, but I nor my parents do not have any social media following. So, I do not know how to get the word out. I have tried my orchestra and teachers, but they are all older (please no offense here) and they do not have any social media outlets. Ever since I was 13 all actual real people that I interface with have been at least twice my age. This has helped me excel in my capabilities and I truly treasure it, but this is one of the reasons I have almost zero social media contacts. I have also been home-schooled since I was 10. This was my choice in order to practice more.
I truly love to play the violin. I love the way it makes people feel. I think it is important to keep the Classic arts alive. It seems that most people these days just listen to "instant gratification" music. One of my goals is to make the Classic Arts accessible to people that usually would not listen to this music.
Again, I will keep strong to help them keep strong.
Thank you all.
Sarah
Welcome, Sarah!
Welcome. I truly hope it works out for you!
Quote from: sarahphillipsviolin on October 26, 2017, 07:58:10 AM
Thanks for all the responses.
I have already had a consult lesson with Martin Beaver at Colburn. I will be submitting my initial applications there soon.
A short Bio on me:
I played in the Youth Symphony here in Colorado Springs from 6 thru 12.
At 13 I started playing for a professional orchestra as the assistant concertmaster.
At 16 I decided to leave the orchestra to focus in my college audition repertoire.
I study under Linda Wang at Denver University. I also play for the University Orchestra.
I have competed in numerous competitions. I won a good amount of them too.
Even with all those contacts I find it very difficult to even qualify for grants, scholarships, funding, etc.
I know once I get into a college (like Colburn) it will become much easier. It is just getting there that is the problem.
My parents have taken out loans, my dad sold all of his collectibles and they work second jobs cleaning house and schools.
I work gigs (where can find them) and teach a small amount of students.
My parents started a fundme site, but I nor my parents do not have any social media following. So, I do not know how to get the word out. I have tried my orchestra and teachers, but they are all older (please no offense here) and they do not have any social media outlets. Ever since I was 13 all actual real people that I interface with have been at least twice my age. This has helped me excel in my capabilities and I truly treasure it, but this is one of the reasons I have almost zero social media contacts. I have also been home-schooled since I was 10. This was my choice in order to practice more.
I truly love to play the violin. I love the way it makes people feel. I think it is important to keep the Classic arts alive. It seems that most people these days just listen to "instant gratification" music. One of my goals is to make the Classic Arts accessible to people that usually would not listen to this music.
Again, I will keep strong to help them keep strong.
Thank you all.
Sarah
Your credentials are extremely impressive. I am friends with someone on the violin faculty at Colburn. Let me know if you want me to put you in touch with them for personal guidance. Obviously there are very many students and it is competitive but they might have more suggestions on possible options for you.
That would be great!
I really appreciate any help.
Sarah
Hope things work out for you Sarah and greetings from southern England.
For what it's worth, many conservatories and universities with strong performance programmes do offer funding in the form of scholarships, bursaries and so on. Federal and state financial aid may also be available (e.g. definitely file your FAFSA) and you should talk to whoever's responsible for finance at the institutions you apply to and find out what kind of assistance they offer.
I was in a pretty similar situation to you eight years ago when I was your age (ancient history now) down to the only knowing much older people in person thing, but I did have some savings, more through luck than anything else. That said I did apply to a bunch of places and get one full scholarship (to NEC but I didn't go.... maybe should have in the end) and several partial scholarships (including the place I did eventually study). So good luck I guess.
Welcome, Sarah!
I hope things work out well for you. (I can offer no advice, unfortunately. :-[)
I hope you hang around here and contribute. I'd like to see more members who are (a) young, (b) female, and (c) musicians.