So… your child wants to be a Music Major ? Now What?!?!

1. So… your child wants to be a Music Major? Now What?!?! Dan Brenner Spring Grove Area High School March, 2013 http://wallpaperscraft.com/image/home_alone_macaulay_culkin_kevin_mccallister_boy_fear_shout_fright_346_320x480.jpg

2. 5 Tips For Ensuring Success As A Music Major

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Important Links • How To Choose A Music School • Twelve Benefits of Music Education • Benefits of Piano Lessons • Music Theory Basics • Music Training Games

9. Questions? Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at any time. BrennerD@sgasd.org 717-225-4731 (ext 7605)