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Question Regarding Music Scholarships

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KFitzy87

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My brother is a pretty good electric guitar player... And he clearly wants to make a living out of it; as whenever I'm home he's in his room practicing, and he is basically an expert on trivial facts regarding rock and roll... I was wondering if ISU would have any chance of being able to offer scholarship money based off of his talent for this instrument?

So I guess what I'm asking is...

1. Is there any chance at any scholarships for this?
2. If yes, what are we talking? And if no; is he simply out of luck, would acoustic guitar serve as a better instrument, or would he need a typical orchestra type instrument? (He can play the trombone and piano as well).

Any answers appreciated!

Ted Nugent - Cat Scratch Fever

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDypV4FHbko]Trevor Fitzpatrick at Smokey Row 1-14-12 Part 2 - YouTube[/ame]

Improvisation

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URIZdsVnX6Q]Trevor Fitzpatrick at Smokey Row 1-14-12 Part 1 - YouTube[/ame]

National Anthem

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH6-FflTDXM]Trevor Fitzpatrick-Star Spangled Banner on Guitar - YouTube[/ame]
 
I've been playing for 13 years, love guitar and listen to a ton of it. Your brother is good, especially for his age (how old EXACTLY?).

Now, I don't know whether ISU does it, but you might want to check into a school like Berklee College of Music in Boston (Berklee College of Music - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). If he wants to play and learn CONTEMPORARY music then Berklee is the #1 school in the US for that. I know a few people who have gone, and yes you have to audition for it and it's based off skill. Based on a few things I saw from your brother in the Improv and SSB, he has the talent enough to probably make it in Berklee. So IMO if he is serious about playing this and based on what I saw, he should consider Berklee.

Some Alumni? List of Berklee College of Music alumni - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
thanks for the answer! he is a sophomore in high school... 16 years old
 
KFitzy87 said:
thanks for the answer! he is a sophomore in high school... 16 years old
Click to expand...

No problem. Yeahhh. When I listened to Cat Scratch Fever, it was just for a little bit and that song isn't that hard, so I went to the improv to see what he could do. I saw some fast and articulate phrasing from him that is way, way far advanced for a 16 year old.

Tell him about Berklee if he doesn't already know about it. Tell him Steve Vai and most of the guys in Dream Theater went there (and John Mayer) amongst a lot of other people.

I would kind of liken this to if a 16 year old was amazing at computer programming, you'd want them to go to MIT or CalTech or something. Same sort of deal here in a way.
 
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I'd be very surprised if ISU had music scholarships for either electric or acoustic guitar. To be sure though, just call the music department and ask.
 
Check into Academy of Contemporary Music. It is in Oklahoma City and affiliated with University of Central Oklahoma. It offers a two year associates degree in rock and roll. It is a serious program and less than half the cost of Berklee.
 
Music scholarships are available. They do not recruit like they could so hard to find much about it. Music camps, teachers, internet search are good. For the kid that practices his instrument I think easier to get a scholarship help in music than sports. Of course have to look in the right places. There could be "contests" around the country. My son when in high school won several with his piano and audiioned at several schools. One of the schools we never even thought about, had a contest and he won. We had gone there since a cousin was in the music department. She had never heard him and was more of being nice to tell us about it. What he won was a 4 year full ride scholarship which was a blessing. He is now teaching and playing professionally.
 
constructor79 said:
Check into Academy of Contemporary Music. It is in Oklahoma City and affiliated with University of Central Oklahoma. It offers a two year associates degree in rock and roll. It is a serious program and less than half the cost of Berklee.
Click to expand...

Not trying to knock that program, but isn't it relatively new? I know the guys in Flaming Lips are part of that..
 
I graduated from ISU's music program in 2010, and am now a music educator in the public schools. ISU has a truly excellent music department (it's undergrad-only, which means no TAs) but it's probably not going to offer your brother what he needs, or what he's looking for. There isn't a guitar studio there, though there were a couple Bachelor of Arts (as opposed to Bachelor of Music, which are the real music degrees) students whose instrument was the guitar. There are a few opportunities for guitar players in the department ensembles (mostly jazz groups and athletic bands, though there are others) but nothing considered a primary ensemble.

That said, though that department's status quo is pretty traditional, they're not the slightest bit afraid to branch out and try something new IF they see a talented student. Your brother is most certainly good enough to attract their close attention despite not offering a specific program for guitar players. If they like him well enough, they can and will alter or create a program to match his needs.

TL;DR: I'm an ISU Music grad and music teacher, and your brother is outstanding. Don't expect ISU to be the place for him, but it's definitely worth checking with them and sending his tapes.
 
KFitzy87 said:
My brother is a pretty good electric guitar player... And he clearly wants to make a living out of it; as whenever I'm home he's in his room practicing, and he is basically an expert on trivial facts regarding rock and roll... I was wondering if ISU would have any chance of being able to offer scholarship money based off of his talent for this instrument?

So I guess what I'm asking is...

1. Is there any chance at any scholarships for this?
2. If yes, what are we talking? And if no; is he simply out of luck, would acoustic guitar serve as a better instrument, or would he need a typical orchestra type instrument? (He can play the trombone and piano as well).

Any answers appreciated!

Ted Nugent - Cat Scratch Fever

Trevor Fitzpatrick at Smokey Row 1-14-12 Part 2 - YouTube

Improvisation

Trevor Fitzpatrick at Smokey Row 1-14-12 Part 1 - YouTube

National Anthem

Trevor Fitzpatrick-Star Spangled Banner on Guitar - YouTube
Click to expand...

Iowa State only offers scholarships in music to music majors or to non-major orchestra string players. There is not a guitar major at ISU so there would not be a scholarship available for that.
 
marothisu said:
Not trying to knock that program, but isn't it relatively new? I know the guys in Flaming Lips are part of that..
Click to expand...

You are correct that teh pres of the school is the GM of the Flaming Lips. The program is in its 3rd year. My son went for a year and opted out to pursue a non music education.The program is based on the successful ACM concept in London, UK. I suggest a look for any aspiring rock musician.
 
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