Should I stay or should I go?

[Heavystringsguy]

Hello Mr. Seaton,

A little background before my question.

My name is Travis Udall, and I double on the electric and double bass. I am attending Blinn Junior College at Brenham for my second year now.

My string instructor doesn't think I'll "be the standard" at UNT if I go now. He wants me to stay a third year, which some other faculty say is normal if there is a playing deficit in a certain area, like classical playing for me. He thinks I'll be disappointed if I go next year. He said I probably won't get to study with you and that I might not make a band if I don't wait another year. Even so, I speculate that being at UNT with the high level of competition, standards of performance, and other resources (which I have questions about) would be a better incubator for my development than here at Blinn where string resources are lacking and there is no competition/lack of bass classes outside of private study. I also have to tend to marching band and many of the ensembles are not very serious. Perhaps I could make a band and study with you after a semester or so at UNT.

I've been preparing for my audition at UNT for many months and I am certainly looking forward to the opportunity to possibly be at UNT next year. As such, my instructors suggestion has been difficult to consider so I'd like to ask for your opinion/a few questions.

•What do you think of graduate student bass players at UNT whom teach? What are they like, skill level, etc? I'm sure they are qualified, but I'd like to hear what you have to say about it.

•What aspects of a bassist playing do you look for in students whom you chose to instruct, or have in your master class? Are they typically graduate students or bassist working on a DMA? Do any undergraduates whom study with graduate students eventually end up studying with you?

•Besides studying with graduate students, what other resources would there be for me to use at UNT? For example, what ensembles are there for bassist who don't make a lab band?

I completely understand if you can't answer all my questions, regardless, thank you for reading my questions, and thank you very much for your time.

 

[Lynn Seaton]

Hello,
Thank you for your interest in the Jazz Studies program at the University of North Texas! I will answer your questions...

•What do you think of graduate student bass players at UNT whom teach? What are they like, skill level, etc? I'm sure they are qualified, but I'd like to hear what you have to say about it.
In both the classical and jazz areas, the graduate students that teach are highly qualified. Currently in the jazz divsion we have a DMA candidate named Jack Helsley. He taught at the university level in Indianapolis, IN for many years and continues to work as a professional bassist. He has performed with many jazz players and done symphony gigs, shows, and pop gigs. He also spent time in a military band in Europe. I have a lot of faith in his ability to teach and play. All previous graduate teachers had great skills and any new ones in the future will be that way too.

•What aspects of a bassist playing do you look for in students whom you chose to instruct, or have in your master class? Are they typically graduate students or bassist working on a DMA? Do any undergraduates whom study with graduate students eventually end up studying with you?
New students start the first semester in a class I teach twice a week called Jazz Bass Performance Fundamentals. It is like a group lesson with a lot of musical and technical foundations are presented and learned. Concurrently to that, undergraduates take classical lessons with a highly skilled graduate student under the supervision of Jeff Bradetich. All undergraduates and graduates do end up studying privately with me. For undergraduates, that occurs after completion of some prerequisite classes and passing two performance barrier exams. One of those is for classical and one is for jazz. When those exams happens depends on how timely a student finishes the prerequisites. It could happen in the 3rd to 5th semester.
I encourage everyone who comes to try and test out of as many classes as one can. Those exams are traditionally offer in the jazz area the week before school starts.

•Besides studying with graduate students, what other resources would there be for me to use at UNT? For example, what ensembles are there for bassist who don't make a lab band?
Besides the above mentioned jazz bass performance class, there is also a class during your classical studies once a week for solo literature. You will be taking improvisation classes, classical and jazz theory classes, piano classes, jazz and general music history, and so much more! We have many jazz ensembles at UNT AND a very strong small group program called Jazz Forum. We have many students who have been honored with Down Beat awards. In the jazz bass area, usually those who pass the admission audition are good enough to play in an ensemble.

Go ahead and audition for UNT and see what happens. At least you will learn what the expectations are and hopefully you will pass the audition. Please be advised that the admission process to UNT Jazz has two applications: one to the University and one to the College of Music. Details are here in a link to the jazz audition page. Please read two links: admission to the program and the jazz bass admissions audition link. http://jazz.unt.edu/admission-auditions

I hope this helps.
Good Luck!

 

[Heavystringsguy]

Wow! Thank you very much for the response. That is very helpful information. Take care!