Trumpeter

Mr. Carroll (and all reading),

I am sixteen years old and a junior in high school. Recently, I have been doing research regarding schools that are more focused on the fine arts than an ordinary public high school. I am considering leaving the high school I attend and becoming a student at Interlochen Arts Academy to increase my focus on improving my skill on trumpet.

After consulting many people about the topic, I have been given very different opinions ranging from enthusiastic encouragement to tentative caution. Some say if I have that opportunity (based on much needed scholarships) that I should take my chance and run with it. Others, however, think that I should stay at home for my senior year of high school and intensify my study at a college level, after I graduate. Personally, I know that my focus will increase once I enter a college or university, but why would I wait when I can get started a year early?

I'm frustrated at the high school I attend because at the end of my sophomore, I was the lead trumpet player (not saying much, really), and now I am beginning to realize there is nowhere to go. I am having trouble staying motivated to practice daily and I sometimes feel beat up from marching band (Twelve Seconds to the Moon by Robert W. Smith).

What is your opinion on attending schools focused on the fine arts at my age? Do you think it would be wise considering I would have to move away from home when I am seventeen years old? I have a very realistic opinion of my playing ability, and I am not sure I am good enough to get a scholarship for IAA, would it even be worth pursuing? On a day-to-day basis, what could I do to stay motivated to practice, even when my mouth is tired from rehersal?

Thank you for the help.

ecarroll

Trumpeter,

You're asking the right guy . . . I did my junior and senior years at the Interlochen Arts Academy and consider the time I spent there (mind you this was ages ago) to be more formative than the time I spent at Northwestern and Juilliard. I subbed there for a semester in the mid/late 90's when my former teacher, John Lindenau, had a quad bypass. Who says you can't go home again?

I'll send you Kenny Larson's e-mail address and believe that you should correspond with him directly. Tell him about your situation and what you'd hope to achieve in one year at IAA. I'm sure that he'll respond thoughtfully.

Watching for further comments with great interest,
EC

CGUM

just a quick tag to ed's post. IAA, I believe, also has students who want to stay after the completion of their academic requirements to focus on improving their arts discipline. Basically 2 senior years is what it would boil down to. Regardless of what I just said email Kenny and he'll give you the info you need.

CG