How hard is it to get into Juilliard Music school and what is required to do so?

Question

So my dream was always to be a musician, and still is. I know that it is a bit too late for me for learning music and it's theory because I am 16 in a month. I can play some things in the guitar (I started last year) and I can play chords and a few songs from Metallica like master of puppets, Through the never, harvester of sorrow and so forth (I am very into rock as I am into classical). Though I do not want to enter as a guitarist, I just really love the instrument therefore began to learn it.

I play piano since I was 12, then I stopped and I returned to lessons recently because I know that there is no time to waste and that I have to get on with playing and all its theory. I cannot sight-read but I know the names of all the notes and how they're played.

I am learning the violin because I have always wanted to learn it. I am not so good at it since I have been playing it for 5 months. But I am willing to put my time and learn everything from the violin.

I used to take harp lessons for a year, I learnt a few things but then I stopped because my parents couldn't afford a harp.
However, with all this being said, I wanted to enter Juilliard as an opera singer. I began thinking of it seriously last year since my harp teacher got me into it (she's an opera singer). My voice will change my teacher said I am going to be a mezzo-soprano.
Also I am taking GCSE's: Maths, English, ICT, Music, Business, Leisure&Tourism and Additional Science. Do i have to get A* on all of these?

Answer 1

It's very, very hard to get in. The instrumentalists who get in have been studying seriously since they were 4 or 5 years old, and dropping all other activities in favor of practicing. Realistically, someone who took a couple years of piano a few years ago and just started playing violin doesn't stand a chance. The fact that you "cannot sight read but know the names of the notes and how they're played" tells me that you're still at the early beginner level. No one who was anywhere near ready to think about music school would describe their abilities that way. Juilliard does not take beginners. They don't take intermediate or early advanced students, either. They take very advanced students and polish them for solo careers. You also can't decide on a whim that you're going to be an opera singer and expect to get into one of the most competitive schools in the world.



By all means continue to study music, but find another field for a career.

Answer 2

OK - you seem earnest, but you have no idea what Juilliard is, and what their expectations are. You can only major in classical music there - and this is one of the TOP music conservatories in the world, so their standards are higher than those of Harvard. These applicants, worldwide, are often home-schooled from toddler-hood, so that they can study seriously and continuously on their major orchestral instrument or voice, with TOP artists in the world - college professors at other conservatories, first-chair players in major symphony orchestras, etc. Before their application, these students have won several international competitions, and often have performed as prodigy soloists with top orchestras, been in various television broadcasts that feature young genius performers, etc. These are not *normal* kids at all - and they are not even kids that are top award winners from most high schools in the US or other countries.



You list you abilities - and your great lack in many many areas. If you read the website - and actually understood what things mean - then you would soon realize that you are absolutely NOT, in any way, the kind of student that would be accepted into Juilliard. Can you get into Harvard pre-med? How about MIT as an engineering major - and you already hold several patents on ground-breaking machinery or computer software? Are you such a fine point guard that you can SKIP college, and go right to the NBA - as a starter? THIS is the mind-blowingly high level that Juilliard - and many other conservatories - seek. At your current rate of musical deficit, I do not think that you can successfully be accepted into ANY top music school. You might be able to learn enough - if you study INTENSELY with a top private teacher - to get into a local community college program, that will allow you to transfer to your state school - maybe. Better that you hear this here, from us, than to blindly set yourself on a path that will NOT be fruitful for you. There are four of us in this family who have multiple undergrad and grad degrees from fine conservatories and universities in the Northeast - and some of us have had students of ours accepted in Juilliard, Manhattan, Oberlin, Ithaca, Hartt, Temple, Westminster, and other good schools. Juilliard is something else. Sorry to be the bearer of reality - but that is the way it is. There will be loony kids here who will say "Just follow your dream!" , and call me a hater, and give me TDs. Hey - I want to replace A-Rod at third base, or maybe replace Kobe while he gets his shoulder fixed - not gonna happen. No way - no matter how much i want it, how famous the Yankees are, or how hard I work. Please find something that WILL suit you, and in which you can flourish.

Answer 3

its very unlikely that you could get into juilliard with a background like that. kids your age on that track are already performing at a professional level.



but thats fine. it doesnt mean you cant be a musician. there are many paths and juilliard is simply not the right fit for you. if you have an interest in so many styles of music, you should go to a school that encourages experimentation. not to the school that strives to be the best at one specific kind of music.

Answer 4

In piano? No chance. How many competitions have you won? If you are very very good and can play way above a teenager, you might have a chance. How is your music theory? Piano is a really tough way to go. Too many child prodigies who practice 8 hours a day. But give it a go. You might get lucky. You might sit down at the piano and play like Gershwin. Can you play Chopin?

Answer 5

I have nothing further to add, other than I strongly recommend you go to that link Danny gave you and read the audition guidelines carefully. You should also read the FAQ section--it will answer your questions further right from the source so you know we aren't just out to "crush" your dreams because we're a bunch of meanies:

http://www.juilliard.edu/apply-audition/frequently-asked-questions

Answer 6

"Many are called, but few are chosen". Wish you had focused on one instrument, but then you want to go for opera, and make no mention of singing experience? Whatever.

http://www.juilliard.edu/apply-audition/application-audition-requirements