Conservatoire in Europe

[maggiethecat]

Dd has been considering UK conservatoires but has also been looking at the possibility of overseas ones.

She says Germany sounds good but I think that there are strict language requirements to study there.

Amsterdam is another option but I wonder how it compares to the top ranking UK conservatoires?

Which art form? And what does she hope to do after graduation? Where?

For example, if she's a dancer, jobs in other European companies are now quite scarce and our exit from the EU means that EU citizens are going to be ahead of her in employment, if all other things are equal (eg two dancers auditioning for one spot, both pretty much equally talented etc).

Music much the same.

The performing & creative arts are international, so if there's a plan for an international career, then studying abroad can be part of that. But other languages will still be needed to live in a country for 4 years, to create networks of peers who will be colleagues throughout her career, and to create networks of mentors likely to help her towards a paid position.

@QueenoftheAir
Classical music - stringed instrument. I’m not sure that she’s focused on working in a specific place and I expect that she’ll go wherever opportunities are available, UK or abroad.

I take your point about language familiarity to establish the connections necessary for a performing career and she’ll have to consider this aspect in her choice of place of study.

As a place to study in itself I’d like to know how Amsterdam is considered for classical music compared to the better UK music colleges.

I should have thought Vienna would be amongst the best for string instruments.
How long away are we talking? How much time does she have to improve her German?

@eroica
She's not considering Germany because she doesn't have time to start to learn German let along become proficient to the standard required.

Too soon then. Hmm, there are differences in the ethos of differing nations' conservatoires. Could her current teacher not advise what would suit her best? British conservatoires are noted for producing ensemble players, really excellent orchestra players, whereas other countries (e.g. Russia) produce excellent soloists. The mindsets are different.

Is she in a junior conservatoire now? They really will be in the best position to be able to advise her, rather than random people on here

Is she looking at soloist career or ensemble?

Her music teachers have given advice but I think it's good to get other views of institutions particularly from people who have personal or anecdotal experience of some of these places.

My DD is also considering this - wind player. She has a list of places to visit for some consultation lessons as soon as travel is allowed - Vienna and Germany. Head of German at school being brilliant helping her get language sorted.

@nomorehorses
Good luck to your Dd with her consultations!

Thank you @maggiethecat she is really looking forward to going over and getting a feel for some of the places and seeing which teachers she gets on with.

I think the Netherlands conservatoires have a pretty good reputation - I certainly know people working in my (admittedly rather niche) area of music who have studied in Amsterdam & The Hague. What about Switzerland? Also a fairly common destination for UK music students.

My DS is currently in Germany as a post grad, not music. All the people I've known at European conservatoires have also gone as pgs ... The Hague, Berlin, Hannover ... all been happy. Don't know lie of the land and fees post Brexit though. Looked at Basle for one of mine but it was very expensive. Don't underestimate the cost of accommodation, insurance, documentation, and fees and fun etc.

And he had to do a German proficiency exam before he was accepted.

DD's already crossed out any that want B2 German on enrolment - lots will accept B1 though, with the condition that they get up to B2 by the end of either the first or in some cases the second semester. This should be realistic for her. Fortunately this does not rule out any of her preferred teachers.

It would be a pity to cross out Germany completely. Apart from the quality of training, Germany still has a Bundesland and Stadt-funded network of Stadttheater, many of which employ full orchestras.