Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Back to School - at 62?

I'm fortunate to be a taxpayer in Georgia, USA, and the enlightened State Legislature has decreed that Senior Citizens can attend state universities free of charge! What a deal!

But college at age 62? What am I thinking? Well, I am not interested in a new career at this point - I just want to study and play piano, keep learning, challenge myself, and have some fun along the way.

I have two choices of university. There is a large state university in the big city with a large music department that is very busy and active. I actually have a Computer Science degree from there, but I have no wish to fight the traffic and deal with the parking situation. I did that for over 30 years...

There is a regional university just 15 miles away, with a small music department. It's not ranked very high, but I have heard good things about the music department. For me it's a quiet drive over country roads, so a better choice in my situation.

So I applied and had my old transcripts sent (I have a BM degree from way, way back in 1976 - clarinet was my instrument) and have been accepted for Fall 2016 to the university.

But not to the music school - I have to audition - oh no! The requirements are not too demanding: "Perform from memory works from two style periods." It's not a Conservatory, just a regional university. But I don't play from memory anymore - gave it up about 5 years ago.

So it's going to be a challenge. I talked to the piano professor (there is only one) and the memory requirement is not something they can overlook.

My teacher and I have picked out:
Beethoven Op2 #1 first movement (the first movement of the first piano sonata)
Mendelssohn op 38 #6 (Song Without Words "Duetto").

I've played the Mendelssohn twice before (but not from memory), so I am in the process of bringing it back and memorizing it.

The Beethoven is new. I can't even play it through at this point, but my teacher says I am making good progress. About a month ago I was ready to drop it and try something else, but I stuck with it.

Audition date: March 6. I will update this thread with my progress, success or failure...

Wish me luck!

Sam

That is so cool!

I used to think I couldn't memorize anything, and then I learned Black and White Rag from a lead sheet. The melody pretty much memorized itself, and I had to make up the bass, which took me a long time, and voila! It was memorized! So then I decided I could play from memory anything that memorized itself

But now I pretty much memorize everything. You'll do fine.

Go Sam!

Sam congratulations!!

I'm definitely going to be watching this thread because I've always wondered if college and universities accept adult students into their music programs later in life, as it may be something I'd be interested in doing once I've had many more years of learning under my belt and freedom from work

Good luck with you preparation and eventual audition!!

Very best of luck to you!!

I'm looking forward to updates.

I am 62 also and applaud your effort. I have decided to learn piano, my first ever instrument.
So all you young whipper snappers get outa our way!
RC

Congratulations on your new trial-by-fire!

At 70 -- and re-learning piano and trying to sing -- I applaud your decision to follow my guideline for a productive old age:

. . . Learn, or die.

One of our local universities has a first-class "55+" program. It's outside the normal curriculum. But the profs are from the regular teaching faculty, and the classes are lots of fun.

You 62 year olds will do fine. As someone who also had never had any musical training of any kind EVER, starting at 78 was kind of scary, but it turned out to be entirely do-able I didn't say fast, I said do-able

Sam,
I thing it is wonderful that you are doing this. I'm 70 and I still memorize some of my pieces. I admit it takes longer than when I was younger and could memorize easily. Most of the other adult students in their 60's and 70's that I know do not memorize but I figure it is good for my brain. Good luck. That sounds so exciting.

Hey you kids! Get off my lawn! I'm talkin' to you, Sam.

Okay, I'm not THAT old but I am a few years older than you and am also taking advantage of free tuition at a local junior college. The free tuition thing seems to be fairly common and it's great that you're taking advantage of it. I audit, rather than taking classes for credit. This coming semester, in addition to "Applied Piano," I'm going to take a theory course. No tuition, but, whoa, have you checked out college textbook prices lately? Yikes.

Sam, you'll do great, even with the memorization.* We look forward to following your progress.


* I hadn't been doing memorization for awhile, either, but started back doing it, first at my teacher's suggestion for some of the Bach Inventions and then more or less incidentally with a couple more pieces like Chopin Op. 64/1 and LvB Op 49/1, 1st mvt. It takes a fair amount of patience, but it's do-able.

Wow, good for you. You inspire me. This has been my dream always. I will definitely keep checking this thread. Good luck to you! You will do great!

I wonder...it's not that long until March and if you have trouble memorizing, would it not be better to choose two works that you have played and possibly memorized previously at some point? Because it is a lot easier to bring back something you have managed to memorize earlier than solidly memorize new works as a one time project. At least that's my experience.

And of course choose something as short as possible

it's all very exciting isn't it? Will enjoy reading the threads of this post as it progresses. With cars strewn all over side streets at our local university I can well understand how parking alone can be a big issue.

Wow Sam, what an exciting plan!
Yes it will be a challenge to prepare and memorise these pieces, but if that's where you put your focus and energy then you'll see great results!

Congratulations! Not only is this a wonderful adventure, but that you are taking advantage of it, and learning outside of your comfort zone is awesome-- and an inspiration.

Sam, I turn 63 next month -- you've inspired me to start researching my state's tuition policies for people our age... and music programs.

You know the Lotto fantasy game -- when people ask how you would change your life if you won the big Powerball drawing?

I always get funny looks when I tell people that my fantasy is to become a full time student again, with no interest in ever getting a degree or a job from my studies. All my time on philosophy, music, literature, and an exercise program (finally).

Why is that crazy?

Thanks everyone - I knew I could count on your moral support!

To answer some questions - I did have to cut through some red tape. I originally contacted the piano professor to see if it was even possible. She had never had a senior citizen student, so she made inquiries with admissions and was told I could only audit classes, which wouldn't work with private lessons. But actually reading the regulation showed that I could pursue a degree and take classes for credit. The VP of admissions agreed and I was good to go.

But I do not want to take resources away from some 18 year-old-kid looking for a career, so I will work things out as I proceed - I'm in no hurry!

As far as actually passing the audition, I have had plenty of second thoughts about my music selections and my ability to memorize them - but I am committed now...

Sam

Sam,

This sounds incredibly fun. I don't think we have such possibilities here in Norway, and since I'm still engaged in full time work it is not an option for me. But being in your position I would go for it.

Considering your audition pieces I think both the Beethoven and the Mendelssohn are good choices. I play the Duetto myself and in fact I find it a bit hard to memorize, which is actually strange since I can play several of the other SWW's from memory.

Wish you good luck with whatever you decide to play.

Sounds like great fun, Sam.

As for the challenge of your audition.....you know what they say...

If you can walk from Maine to Georgia, you can pretty much do anything!

Jim

Sam - Great to read of your new adventure. I've worked at a couple of universities (at their public radio stations) where they welcomed "non-traditional" students. That usually meant older folks, and they all seemed to have loved doing this and found great acceptance by the young students. I find hanging out with folks younger than me (I'm 69), in addition to friends and neighbors of my own generation, teaches me a lot and I find it energizing. Best of luck to you!

How exciting!! I was accepted to a Universty music program as a performance major in piano when I was 50. Life interfered. I regret not getting my degree then. So more power to you!!! It is never too late to pursue one's dream!!


Hey, I should listen to myself!! Alas, health issues are now a factor. But I will be rooting you on!!!

I guess I'm the young whippersnapper here at 50 I never played anything until I was 47 but I've been learning piano and guitar for about three years now and drums for just over one year. I take weekly private lessons in all three plus I'm enrolled in a whole bunch of the certificate programs at Berklee College of Music. I finished my Masters certificate in theory/harmony/ear training a few quarters ago and I'm finishing my Masters certificate in guitar this quarter. I've got two courses left for a Masters certificate in music production. I got a Specialist certificate in keyboard and I'm working on a second one now (they don't have any Masters certificate programs in keyboard). I'm starting on a drum Specialist certificate next quarter. I also still have a full-time job

I don't know how useful the Berklee classes are other than as a motivation to work hard because you get graded on assignments that are due every week along with a GPA and transcripts and everything. For keyboard/guitar/drum classes there are typically two new pieces you have to learn and record each week. I personally don't know how anyone manages *without* memorizing pieces, since it's much harder to read than it is to memorize for me (memorizing a piece for the long term so it becomes part of a repertoire is a different story however).

--
Steve

Sam
Good for you. I am preparing the same - not free for me - in 4 years. It's been my dream to study music full time as well. I have 80% of the money saved up. But I do need to set aside some more since I make more than my husband. It's my responsibility to ensure financial security for our retirement first.

Sam, that's excellent. Always keep learning! Can't wait to hear about your adventures.

Sam,

I always enjoy reading your posts.. Whether hiking the AT or the reviews of your SummerKeys experiences. I always feel inspired to pursue more of what I love (even on a smaller scale)

I think a lot of us here would love to be starting on this journey with you !

Best of LUCK and enjoy the process !

Cassiesmom

The Scandinavian countries have a long way to go before this line of thought is possible here.
One is not even already at the age of 40 (if I remember right) not eligible for any government sponsored work-related education in Sweden! And that is long before retirement!
So we are WAY behind the US and Canada in that respect.
And that is a real waste of resources and in making the population happy and vital.
The most fantastic thing we have is the brain and all that it can do.

Hey Sam,
This might show my incompetence but personally I find Songs Without Words impossible to memorise and I can't help wondering if you wouldn't be better off with a Bach - not sure what level the pieces have to be at but maybe an Invention? Once you get the fingering down pat the Inventions tend to play themselves and from there it's just a matter of building up speed. Also, from the classical period I was thinking maybe something with a more prominent Alberti bass might be easier to memorise - something like Mozart Sonata in C Major for example. These pieces have nowhere near the dynamics or expression as the ones you've chosen but if the objective is just to get in to the program.....
On the other hand, you're already on your way towards memorising the others. Best of luck with it.
Wish Australia had free education for Senior Citizens, what a top idea!
cheers,
Cathryn.

Congratulations Sam!

I think it is fantastic that you are going back to school for a music degree! And- it is really special that the state supports the idea with free tuition. I wish you great success with your audition! I am sure you will have a lot of fun in the program.

I would love to do something similar here, but in Switzerland if you are over 40, then you cannot be a regular student. They do have a parallel track for us "adult" students that allows a person to audit the classroom subjects such as music theory or history, and then study with an approved teacher. They award a degree for the program, but it is not the same as the the Bachelor of Music. I am hoping to do that after I complete my ABRSM 8.

Keep us posted on your progress!

I don't want to sidetrack this thread, but do you know what the rationale is for this? If you started a program at age 38, would they kick you out after two years?

I think that the rational parallels the general education system here. At 13 years old, kids are tested and sent into either a high school prep for university, or a prep for trade school. The university system is very different from the states. Going to university is not considered a universal right, but must be earned. Kids going to Musik Hochschule (university) are often in Gymnasium (high school) for the performing arts. Still whether they attend a specialized high school or not, everyone must audition, and it is quite selective. This specialised program that I am interested in, is so that non traditional students can get a music education outside of the usual track, i.e. as older than high school age.

Trouble wi getting a degree in anything is this. THEY mould you, nead you, blugeon you into THEIR way o thinking. . . .they pretend to encourage free tninking, but the opposoite so often occurs.

Free thinking in classical music? Only when you leave Uni! Politics? Socialists of every persuasion are spewed out. . Now, Im old enough to be an expert on these matters. (Without claiming to be so ha ha) And so is Sam.

Make em have it, Sam! Enjoy. . .

Good for you Sam. That memorization would be a deal killer for many of us. That's why I do the RCM exams...working toward an achievement in piano but at my pace. I did take a theory class at my university and enjoyed a great deal. The teacher was outstanding. The pace in the lab work was fast and intense but I kept up with the freshmen.

Good Luck, you will have fun.

Congratulations Sam!! That's also my dream sometime in a far far future ... I will be checking your thread and cheering you on!!!

Good for you, Sam.

I have been a student of something or other for my whole life, and now at 76 I am still going at it hot and heavy. I picture myself at some date in the future, negotiating with the grim reaper for another six months or so, to finish some course.

I hope you do well, let us know.

Ed

Good luck, Sam! You'll have a lot of fun. Enjoy!

Sorry to report that I have given up on the idea of going back to school and majoring in piano.

Preparing for the audition was taking all the fun out of playing piano for me.

As a way of preparing for the audition I have been playing for strangers several times a week for the last month, with poor results. I tune pianos part-time, and at the end of the tuning I play, from memory, one of my pieces. I should probably pay people who have to listen to me - it hasn't gone well.

It's not my memory - I can sit down at the piano and play for myself, my wife, or my teacher, and do a credible job. But not for strangers.

I'm all in favor of stretching myself, setting goals to pursue, and being a lifelong learner, but I have to recognize when something has stopped being fun and has become a burden.

I will probably audit some courses, if I can get in without being a music major.

And I will continue my private lessons, and set some more attainable goals.

Sam

Sounds like useful feedback.
Lots of other possibilities waiting for you.

all you have to do is to write a string of successful musical numbers and I am sure they will give you an honoury degree, a much easier route.

This had to be a hard decision for you Sam, but I completely understand your feelings. If it turned out not to be an experience that enhanced the joy in your relationship with the piano, then it would not be a good thing. I think auditing some classes is an excellent idea! Best of luck to you!

Ah, maturity is such a great thing - excellent decision in the "know thyself" realm. Indeed, you are no stranger to great goals and attaining them. You'll love whatever it is you decide to do with piano, and you'll do it well and be pleased with the consequences and results.

Let's hear it for the old farts

My dream of going back to university and studying piano is not quite dead - yet...

Since I had told my current teacher that I had given up on the idea, a lot of the pressure I was feeling stopped. I think she wants me to do well, both because she thinks I can, and because it reflects well on her if I do. I didn't realize how much pressure there was to perform until I told her I was giving up - then we went back to normal and playing was fun again.

The professor at college who would be my teacher contacted me and offered a lesson to help. I agreed, but did not tell my current teacher about it - to keep the pressure at a low level.

I just got back from the lesson with the university professor. She was very nice and encouraging and had some good things to say about my playing. I played through the two pieces with music, and a second time from memory as much as I could. She was encouraged and thinks I can pass the audition with some memorization help - we have set up another lesson for next week.

I have a lesson with my current teacher in a few hours - I will have to tell her, since the two teachers know each other.

At this point I am guardedly optimistic.

Sam

Sam, that sounds great, I wish you luck on this endeavor. I've been watching this thread eagerly because I would potentially like to do something like this once I am retired or semi-retired in the future.

Please keep us updated!

That is wonderful Sam! I sure your teacher will have no problem with you having some coaching from the university teacher. it is great that the prof thinks you can pass the audition. Keep us posted!

Cool! You should indeed be pleased--and take heart--that the professor thinks you can do it. They (the profs at the schools) usually have a pretty good feel for that kind of thing.

You mentioned a March 6 audition date in your original post. Does that date still hold or have you pushed it back?

Probably pushed back - I'm getting another lesson from her next week...

Sam

Sam - As a general aside, after leaving music school and working for a while, I decided to go back to get a degree, but I decided on English Literature as I could major in that and take evening/early morning classes while keeping my job. Returning was one of my best decisions.

I was only in my late 20s/early 30s but I was concerned about feeling too old. I soon learned I need not be, as nearly all the other students in the evening classes were in similar situation, working full time and taking classes (many of us doing both full time).

In addition, the school I attended had a program where anyone over 60 could audit classes for free. (I believe they bought the text books) Their presence made many classes far more interesting, as they had a tremendous amount of experience and unique perspectives to offer. I don't know if there is a similar program offered near you, but either way I think it's a great idea to audit some classes.

Tim, in my theory class there are two students out of twenty that are over 30, and I'm one of them. We two ancients provide about two thirds of the responses in class. The remainder are trying their darndest not to be noticed.

Kids these days.

Stubbie - That sounds similar to my experience. I have to admit I was also more dedicated to classes at 28 than was at 18. I occasionally think of going back even now, at 49.

Sam,
Good luck with your audition. I think it is wonderful that you are considering going back to school. I would not be concerned about your age. I had been a teacher for many years and went back to school for an MSW in my late fifties. I was a little worried about being so much older than the other students but there were students older who had retired from other jobs. Someday I would love to audit some music courses but right now I still work 4 days a week and my private lesson plus a once a week piano class keeps me plenty busy.

Audition is tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Sam

Sam
Best wishes for tomorrow. What time is your audition? We could then all sync our thoughts with positive energy for you

Go, Sam -

Good luck Sam - looking forward to the full report of how well the audition went.

Good luck with the audition.

I am definitely pulling for you Sam! Best of luck in the audition!

Well, then, good luck! But we all know it won't be luck. It will be your dedication and skill at work, so--best wishes!

You go Sam! Break a cyber-leg.

Jim

Good luck Sam! Can't wait to hear about the feedback and what it is like to audition for a university program!

Break a leg! It will be awesome we just know it!

Thanks everyone, audition is tomorrow morning at 9:30 Georgia USA time. I'll report back, good or bad...

Sam

Things did not start out well this morning! Spent an hour practicing and nothing was working. Tried to simulate the audition by playing through the two pieces back to back but was having memory problems in unusual places. Tried playing through them slowly with the music and that helped a little. Gave up and did something else for awhile.

Just before I had to leave I tried again - shouldn't have - now my confidence was really shot.

One of the reasons I like this university is that it is only a 15 mile drive from home along country roads. Except this morning, when paving trucks have the road reduced to one lane and I spend time with the clock ticking away waiting for my turn to inch forward.

Still, I manage to arrive with seconds to spare, only to find the door locked and nobody around. Do I have the wrong time? Wrong day? Wrong room? Am I having a senior moment? So I check everything on my phone and I am sure I am right. Then a student arrives and asks if I am waiting for Dr G-. She sent him up to tell me she would be 15 minutes late...

While I wait I read everything posted on her door (I think professors worldwide do this - tape items of interest on their doors). Recital programs, competition announcements, scholarship applications, sign-up lists for advising. Every now and then a faculty member comes and goes out of the offices in the hall - they all look so young! Not only will I be the oldest student, I will probably be older than all the faculty!

So Dr. G- arrives, apologizes for being late, and all is well. Her office is small, or maybe it just feels small, since there is a desk and two matching Shigeru Kawai SK2s, side by side, in the room. You would think they would overpower the room, but there is a high ceiling and the walls are covered in fabric(?). The lids of the pianos are down, and covered with books. I have been accused of harsh playing, but I have a little difficulty getting as much sound as I would like out of that SK2. Dr G- says it sounds plenty loud from where she is sitting, so I worry about overpowering the room. Yet another thing to worry about.

She explains how the audition works. It is just her, which is surprising - I thought there would be at least one other person. But she records the audition - uh oh. Red dot fever. She has a Zoom, sets it on the piano, and I can see the red dot blinking away.

I have to say my name into the recorder, say what I am going to play, and start. The Beethoven was a train wreck. (First sonata, first movement). I have to stop and back up, my fingers are not doing the turns, I play in the wrong key in one section (those sonata movements with the recap back in the original key - argh!) It was very embarrassing.

The Mendelssohn (op 30/6 - "Duetto") went much, much better - as well as I ever play it. I am just much more comfortable and familiar with it, I think.

So I finish and apologize for the Beethoven, and she agrees that it didn't go well, and gives me the opportunity to play it again, skipping the repeat of the exposition. It went better - at least the turns were better, and I managed to stay in the proper key at the proper time.

So I passed the audition! She said that the Beethoven was rough, and I agreed, but the Mendelssohn was good enough for a Senior Recital, much better that the usual incoming Freshman audition. I felt pretty good about that.

She talked about what classes I needed to take in the fall and going forward - a lot depends on what I can transfer from my 1970s college degree. And she gave me a couple of one-page pieces to practice memorizing to build up my confidence.

I'm glad the audition is done. I'm really looking forward to studying piano with her - she's very nice, very smart, and seems to have a good idea how to help me progress. We discussed my age and memory problems, and I am going to do the best I can with what I have.

So I will continue lessons with my old teacher until she stops for the summer. I don't know what I will do in the fall - two teachers and two lessons a week may be more than I can handle!

Summerkeys in early August, then start to college in mid-August. I will report back as things progress...

Thanks for the support!
Sam

Woohoo! Congratulations Sam! That is fantastic. I think it is great that you are doing this.

Congratulations! That is a huge accomplishment in such a short time!

Congratulations, Sam!

Had I been in your place, the good Dr. would have called security to escort me off the premises with a warning never to return.

I'm proud for you and proud of you!

Rick

Congrats, Sam ! We need to make you the unofficial mascot of the ABF... a great example of what can be done.

Congratulations Sam. That is fantastic and very impressive... Have a wonderful time going back to school.

Excellent, Sam, most excellent! It sounds as though the professor will be a good teacher, too.

Do you know what classes you'll be taking in the fall? I'm back to school at age 65, though I'm auditing and it's a junior college. Auditing allows me to keep taking piano (performance) lessons from my teacher--if I were taking the class for credit I would be limited in how many semesters I could continue with lessons. Currently I'm taking a music theory (II) class. I'll be taking a music history course (probably a year from now) and likely the theory III course this coming fall. I've been enjoying the theory class a lot more than I thought I would.

Yeah, I'm older than everyone there. Heck, I'm older than the college.

Way to go Sam

We all knew you could do it. "Miles to go...." After all, you are the master at putting one foot in front of the other and just getting on with journey.

Can't wait to hear your reports in the Fall.

That's great Sam!

Sam
That is a great story and I'm so impressed that you did it and want to do it. Good for you..an inspiration to all ABF pianists.

Yea, Sam! Maturity trumps all And hard work, and perserverance, and motivation, and love of piano. Well done.

Sam, that is so awesome. You must have done very well with the Mendelsohn, enough to show her your great potential. She's a teacher, and untapped potential is a powerful fuel for teacher enthusiasm. She's going to love teaching you.

I'm happy for you, and for your fellow students. In ways you don't know, you will be an inspiration for the younger students who fear or don't understand maturity. It's a great day for all!

You should be very proud of yourself Sam A fantastic achievement! I have never been good at any piano exams/recitels - my heart just races!! CONGRATULATIONS !! Please keep us posted on how you are progressing.

Thanks for all the positive comments! I plan to just take things one step at a time. Will report back when I have more news.

Sam

Update! I attended "Orientation Day" yesterday. Met the mascot - "Blue Wolf" (a guy in a furry suit). Got pep talks targeted at 20 year old transfer students. Followed student guides around campus for tours. I suppose I'm getting the full experience. I was the oldest person in every group, of course. I learned that there is an lounge set aside in the student center for "Adult Learners" - it's really for veterans returning to school, but it's nice that they recognize everyone is not 19.

Got my transfer evaluation, and I guess not much has changed since 1976, because they accepted the maximum credits and I am now magically a Junior. But I must take US and GA history and US and GA constitution classes - and pass them. Oh well...

The late afternoon was more productive. Met the Dean of the School of Music and registered for 3 classes - Piano Pedagogy, Form and Analysis, and piano lessons.

I also learned that I must take another piano exam, to test out of a series of classes called "Keyboard Skills" that all music majors take. I have no idea what is involved, but suspect it is stuff like playing from chord symbols and sightreading. Maybe I should take the classes instead - I might learn something!

Then took a step backwards as the bursars office presented me with a bill for $2500.40! Somehow they never got the word that I was a Senior student, and supposed to get free tuition. The registrar doesn't talk to the bursar? So I must work through the red tape and bureaucracy again and try to get that straightened out. The low-level clerk I talked to gave me info that conflicted with what I had been told by the registrar - no surprise. So far this has been my least favorite part of the process.

Sam

Sounds great Sam!

Sounds great, Sam. After you get the finance office sorted out there remains only one question: where will you be doing Spring Break partying 2017? 😎🎵🎶🎹🎸🎷🏈🏂🏄🎼

Oh, Sam!!! Just started reading you thread. Back to school at 62??? Why not??? Age is just a number. I am so happy for you. If I had kept up with piano for the last 12 years I might be doing the same thing, now that I'm retired, and I'm 66. I'm going to read your whole thread now. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures.

Sam, this sounds like such a great program and what a blast to be back on campus and taking part in orientation! I'd love to be in your shoes right now. I'm continuing to follow your progress in this thread because I would love to someday do something like this when I am retired and have the time to swing it. Please keep updating us on your experiences.

Good luck with the tuition, I'm sure it's just administrative red tape and it will all get sorted out.