Posted by H.J. B. on June 04, 2000 at 22:28:18:
In Reply to: Re: Juilliard and other schools posted by MG on June 04, 2000 at 20:19:34:
Being a student at a major music conservatory, even if the given studio teacher isn't (in the opinion of whomever) the best, is a tremendous advantage because of the doors that are opened, career-wise. If few believed this to be true, few would cough up the do-re-mi to be a student at these institutions. As it is, just be ACCEPTED into one of the major conservatories - with wait lists into some studios reaching rates of 15 times the admittance rates - is an accomplishment (as you noted), as opposed to most state schools that go out RECRUITING students by offering tantalizing scholarships, etc. Perception often lines up with reality. When perceptions continue for 50 years or more, its probably a safe bet that those perceptions ARE reality.
This is not an insult to state schools, but it must be acknowledged that when one pays $125,000 for something, it MIGHT actually be worth more (in at least SOME way) than something for which someone else paid $32,000. The $32,000 thing is of TREMENDOUS value, and expectedly (although perhaps not proportionally) the $125,000 just might offer something more.