Oboist: Chances of getting accepted to Juilliard?

I was just admitted to Juilliard as an undergrad Double Bass performance major for the 2010-2011 school year. I prepared for my audition by becoming familiar with the audition repetoire almost a year in advance. I practiced an average of 5 to 8 hours per day in the 2 months before the audition, and have played for roughly 6 years, and take weekly private lessons.

For Oboe, here are the audition requirements:

Undergraduate: Bachelor of Music and Diploma Audition Repertoire 1. Two etudes showing the applicant’s level of technical and musical

ability. 2. A slow/fast pair of movements or a complete shorter work from any

Baroque or Classical piece, not less than 8 minutes in length (may

include repeats). 3. A sonata or concerto movement (or pair of movements) or a short

work (or pair of short works) in a style other than Baroque or

Classical, not less than 6 minutes in length. 4. Three orchestral excerpts demonstrating slow, fast, and articulated

passages.

I think what really helped me with the audition was taking lessons with some of the double bass faculty. My high school orchestra went to New York the summer before my senior year, and I set up some lessons. They gave me some really good pointers on what repetoire to choose and what they look for in undergraduate applicants. Most of the professors agreed that they are not looking for pure virtuosity; what they really like to see is someone with good technique, fundamentals, the will to work and true love for their art. (I was awarded an 85% scholarship for the coming year)

Just pick works that you think will showcase your ability as an oboist that are not too easy and not too hard. Play what you are comfortable playing, as the audition is stressful enough!

Hello!

Sounds like you are on a great path to reaching your goal of being competitive at a Juilliard audition next year. It is important to be focussed and know what you want - you have both of these attributes.

It is great that you are going to visit Juilliard before the audition next year. Have you scheduled a lesson (or tried to) with Elaine Douvas, the department chair? It would be excellent to get a "pre audition" with her.

Juilliard is very competitive. I had a friend audition there in 2008. There were 100 oboists that showed up and none got accepted according to him. Usually two or three get in a year out of the 100 that audition. You definetly need to audition at some other schools besides Juilliard because of the competitive nature.

Where do you live? What orchestras do you play in? Who do you study with? Having a good private instructor is key. Also, (you seem to be right on here) you need to be practicing. It would be a good idea to be working out of Ferling or Barret if you are not already doing so.

I happen to be in the exact position you are in. I am a high school junior looking at a conservatory eductation and have recently visited Cleveland Institute and Eastman and plan on going to Juilliard as well.

It would be great if you could post some videos on youtube of you playing. If you would like to contact me, just post your email and I will respond.

I greatly look forward to hearing from you!

I suggest you attend a regular university to get a B.M. and attend a conservatory such as Juilliard if you plan on getting an M.M. With a degree under your belt, auditioning will be much easier because you will already most likely be talented enough to enter the school.

I plan on majoring in Viola Performance at UW-Milwaukee, getting a B.M. there, and getting an M.M. at a major conservatory.

Ex. Scott Pingel, principal double bass of the San Francisco Symphony, received a B.M. from UW-Eau Claire and later an M.M. at the Manhattan School of Music. Look were he ended up.

Also, schools don't only look at technical ability but the sound you produce.

It's certainly possible you'll be accepted but just practicing a lot won't necessarily cut it. Unfortunately, talent is really necessary to play at the level to be accepted to schools like Julliard. All you can do is keep working hard and apply. But also, remember that even more than the school, you have to feel like you will learn best from the oboe teacher at the school.

P.S. I have played a whole bunch of the songs you have :D

well i play the tuba and i know people like you and me have better chances of being accepted to music schools than pianists or violinists because of the rarity of us :D but it sounds like you practice enough, and perform in enough ensembles. but since juilliard only has a 7% acceptance rate, you should look at other schools.. some may be better for the oboe than others, so ask your teacher and any other players you know what the best school for you might be.. i only know the best for tuba, sorry ;) good luck!!

Don't put too much pressure on yourself, just enjoy playing.