wasnt sure whether to post this or not but did anyway....
OK..Well it has now been 3 years since I have finnished school...also went back to repeat my final year in 05 though... But anyway, Im still not in uni/music college. I applied for various courses in 03/04 and 05... got turned down from most of them..some told me in interviews to go for something with more practical work??I think ive appled to most places here where I live that offer music at third level...applied to alot of them more than once too
Also, I havnt had a teacher since may 04...my neigbour used to teach me. A number of people have told me that I really should get a teacher again, including a professor from one of the colleges when I asked why I hadnt gotten in (didnt mean anything by it.didnt think it would be a problem to ask.i presumed that anyone else would...)but I dont know where to apply or anything..plus I probably couldnt afford to right now. Ive been playing piano for about 7 years now. I supppose I kinda rushed the grades a bit in the beginning, I did grade 8 in 2003 and got 85%, have done other exams since then, also a few competitions. Have played alot of music around that level, some below grade 8, a good bit above too since then...so I guess I could safely say that I am at least grade 8 standard (hopefully)....
Thing is...I really need to do something...but im not sure what. Could anyone offer any suggestings here? Im still looking for work too so I can actually pay to futher my musical education..but not having much luck at the moment. Im in Ireland right now if that helps....Just looking for a bit of advice..on what to do next/how I can possibly get myself to a music college of some sort...Im tired of being on my own here with this...my music I mean.

chopet

Is it at all possible for you to get a teacher who also teaches at one of the colleges you're interested in? That way you can explain what you hope to achieve & their experience should help you. They should also be able to advise which course would best suit you.

What courses have you applied for and have you had any feedback about why you haven't been accepted?

Good Luck

Have you got A-level or the Irish equivalent in music?

Yah I have leaving cert music. One college I applied to (nearest to my home) told me they dont teach beyond grade 8 unless the student is in their degree course. The others are at the opposite end of the country to where im living right now (3 hours by train)!!! Others I applied to leave it up to the student to find a teacher as I dont think they employ instrumental teachers themselves.
I did ask at one of the colleges about why I hadnt gotten in and they said something about me being ambitious, having potential, and that I need a teacher...thats as much as I got.

Where have you applied choplet. Have you considered coming over to England to somewhere like Huddersfield that does have (as one of its options) a performance based degree. We had foreign students in the department when I was there, and several people went on to Music College to do post graduate work.

You've just missed their open day, unfortunately, but find out more and see if they can help out.

I applied to both colleges in cork, one in waterford, three in dublin...some of which had more than one course I appled to. I also appled to most two years running. Theres another catch though...I didnt do too well in the leaving cert, and repeating it didnt help...I dont think I have the right grades in the leaving cert for most colleges.....
Il look into huddersfield anyway....