You may know to look closely at faculty members when choosing a school, but should ensemble directors or private instructors impact your decision more?

How Should I Decide?

There are many factors to consider when deciding which college is the right fit for you. These factors can include the size of the school, tuition costs, and the prestige of the music program. It is also important to familiarize yourself with program ensemble directors and private instructors because the lessons you learn could influence your repertoire and your future. Completing something as simple as a pro versus con list could assist you in determining whether the ensemble directors or private instructors are more important for your career.

Ensemble Directors

Your ensemble director will help mold your education in many ways. These individuals are masters at harvesting great collective efforts from their groups. They can offer knowledge about topics such as blend, balance, and interpretation. These qualities are especially helpful for music education majors. It is important to note that celebrated music programs have multiple ensembles and instructors. When evaluating your list of schools, look at ALL of the ensemble directors at the school, not just the premiere director. The conducting faculty may have different experiences and musical pedigrees and you want exposure to as many of these individuals as possible.  The prevailing thought is if you are going to major in instrumental or choral music education then the primary emphasis of your collegiate decision should be made around who the ensembles directors are.

Private Instructors

Private instructors are also important. They are often the most personal student to faculty relationships students have in college. These experts offer insight into such that no other at a university could. They have the technical expertise and specialized knowledge designed to help your playing and success on your instrument. As a result, these individuals can determine the trajectory of a student’s individual playing. For a performance major, it is hard to imagine any other individual having the impact that a private instructor could. For people who want to be professional players, lesson teachers, or experts of their specialty, private instructors offer a unique specialization tailored around your instrument’s tendencies, repertoire and field. The prevailing thought is if you are going to major in performance then the primary emphasis of your collegiate decision should be made around whose private studio you will be a part of.

Making Your Decision

As you can see, both the school’s ensemble directors and private instructors should go into making an educated decision about where to attend. Above all, your prioritization should stem from how you believe they will affect your end goal and what knowledge you need to make that dream a reality.

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Major Takeaway

Ensemble directors and private instructors both play pivotal roles in shaping you artistic destiny and music education.  Consider their expertise, guidance, and the emphasis on your goals to make an informed decision that aligns with your aspirations.

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Objective: For those contemplating their future in music, it's crucial to carefully weigh the influence of collegiate mentors in relationship to career goals. Whether it's the ensemble director, the private studio instructor, or even both in certain instances, aspiring musicians should give serious consideration to these guiding figures when making decisions about their collegiate path.

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Assignment:   Match the denoted music career with the primary instructor that will best prepare you for that career path. The answer will be either the ensemble director or the private studio instructor:

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Middle School Orchestra Director:

Member of a Symphony Orchestra:

In-Home Private Piano Teacher:  

Performer of a Cruise Ship:   

Conductor of a Jazz Ensemble:      

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