BA in Jazz Performance - Newpark College

LadyJ

Has anyone done this course?

http://www.newparkmusic.com/index.rvt/Bachelor%20Of%20Arts%20In%20Jazz%20Performance.html

I'd just like to talk to someone who's done it or knows someone who's done it and get a bit more information.

Looks pretty good but I'm worried that I might find it very difficult. I did music for my junior and leaving cert and spent two years in singing classes but never did grades etc. Plus it's been 3 years since I left school so I don't remember much.

I can't sight read or anything and my theory in general is quite weak. I'm just wondering would I be wasting my time applying. I mean,I can sing very well and jazz is my favouite style but I'm just worried that I'd be quite far behind the rest of the class.

Scratchface

Hi LadyJ,

I was thinking of going there aswell to study Jazz guitar, so a posted a similar question to yours and got some good replies. It's expensive enough, I think the first year for guitar was around 2,500. You also have to pass an audition so not being able to sight read could let you down.

If you think your good enough, why not get a few musicians to back you and see what people think. Mabey you have the 'X' factor and don't know it !

Setun

Afaik they don't do the auditions until later in the year <I could be wrong though> so maybe you could get a few sight reading lessons and work on it a bit until then? You'd do yourself a great favour for the interview.
I think a user named Saint Something is doing the course at the moment, she might be of more help to you.

crowbar188

The auditions ar'nt until May so you have a good bit of time to brush up on your theory and sight reading.

The BAJP is 3900 euro a year. The LGSM was cheaper but not as intensive.

Im in 3rd year now and ill be honest, it is a pretty demanding course but if youre willing to put in the effort and practice theres no reason why you wont do well.

If, by the time of the auditions, you have a decent grasp of sight reading and theory and you can sing well, as you said you can, i dont see any reason why you wouldnt get in.

Zapp Brannigan

I thought the fee was 4200?
I did an audition for the course last may and was offered it but I turned them down as I couldn't afford registration and tuition.

But it is a very good college, I have a friend who is going into his 2nd year and he loves it. You will need sight reading and a good ear because it will be used alot throughout the course.

Good luck!

crowbar188

No, its 3900. It even says so on the website.

LundiMardi

crowbar188 wrote:

The auditions ar'nt until May so you have a good bit of time to brush up on your theory and sight reading.

The BAJP is 3900 euro a year. The LGSM was cheaper but not as intensive.

Im in 3rd year now and ill be honest, it is a pretty demanding course but if youre willing to put in the effort and practice theres no reason why you wont do well.

If, by the time of the auditions, you have a decent grasp of sight reading and theory and you can sing well, as you said you can, i dont see any reason why you wouldnt get in.

Can i ask what you expect to get out of it when you finish? Career expectations etc? I'd love to, and have wanted to do it for the past two years but i can't justify spending that much on a course with no real prospects at the other end of the tunnel. Ya dig?

crowbar188

Well all of the teachers in the college make a decent living from teaching and playing gigs and have done for many years. I know a good few people who have gone to Newpark but not finished the degree and are doing the same. I also know people who have gone to Newpark and then gone on to do something completely different. I guess it differs from person to person.

I would agree that its probably harder than most degrees to get a stable job after and youre most likely never going to be rich from it, but money isnt everything. I honestly dont know what im going to do after i finish but im not worried. Its what i wanted to do and whatever happens, happens.

Fusion251

Hey,

I've done LGSM and have been offered 4 teachin jobs off the back of it with Newpark recommending me which is pretty good. There's always a need for teachers & performers. And the great thing is you're not tied down to working in this country you can travel and still do some gigin' which is cool. On the other hand, it's not a very stable career unless you get into a decent school or college.

Fusion

Drummer in Need

I was thinking about applying for this course in the near future, I’m a keen jazz fan and can play decent enough jazz patterns on the drums.
The sight reading concerns me though.
Do they expect you to sight read at the interview?

crowbar188

Yeh you most likely will be asked to do a bit of sight reading for the audition but the whole audition wont depend on just that.

Id say apply for the course and between now and May try and make some progess with your sight reading. Thats all you can do really isnt it?