Carnegie Mellon University

Date: May 12 2003
Major: Music - Performance (This Major's Salary over time)
My time at CMU was very gruelling in many ways, but was invaluable in the long run. Most of the music performance students do NOT get jobs as orchestral musicians (not counting freelancers…anyone can do that) - there are only a handful that do. But all the tools you need are there. The faculty, mostly Pittsburgh Symphony members (at least when I was there) are incredible. If you are commited to busting your a—, then you too can get a job. You can't let the fact that the practice rooms are empty on Friday or Saturday night discourage you…if you sacrifice now, you will be oh so thankful later.

I recommend going to CMU with the one caveat; you must be extremely focused and serious-minded. You will be surrounded by many who aren't (after all, this ain't Juilliard) but you can't let them drag you down.

Also, get out there and start taking auditions, or at least attending summer festivals, as early as possible. You need to see how you stack up against the competition, and you need to experience the hellish process of auditioning ASAP.