Young Age in Music
This particular topic is one that I am quite passionate about. Too often, young people are underestimated, not just in music, but in almost every aspect. When I first became a band director, I was told by parents that I was too young, yet, my students had a great deal of success performing. Parents underestimated my ability because I was 22 years old instead of actually watching what I could do. I still to this day am told that I am “the young guy.”
I have seen a culture of age supremacy in a lot of aspects of music, including in music education. There are ensembles, administrations, and directors who allow their programs to be run with a focus on age supremacy. Younger musicians are often limited by others in what classes, ensembles, solo auditions, and other aspects they can participate in. Yet, some young individuals very well could be the best musicians within a program. Never underestimate young people. Sure, beginners need a year or two to develop some performance habits, but no one should be underestimated. When you limit what they can do, you limit the potential of your school and/or program. You also limit student musical potential, which should go against everything that a music educator stands for. There have been young musicians to win orchestra spots in auditions (see below). Believe it or not, you can learn something about music from young musicians of any age.
Peter Moore - Won Principal Trombonist of London Symphony at 18 Years Old
Keith Buncke - Won Principal Bassoonist of Atlanta Symphony at 20 years old and then Principal Bassoonist of Chicago Symphony at 21 years old.
Carol Jantsch - Principal Tuba of Philadelphia Orchestra at 22 years old - also the first female tuba player in a major symphony orchestra
Henry Shapard - Won Principal Cellist at Vancouver Symphony at 21 years old.
Helen Kotas - Principal horn of Chicago Symphony at 25 - also one of the first female principals of a major American Orchestra
Neville Marriner - Played as a violinist with the London Symphony at 15 years old.
Barry Tuckwell - 3rd Horn at Melbourne Symphony at 15 years old.
Emmanuel Pahud - Won principal flute of Basle Radio Symphony at 18. Now with Berlin Philharmonic and was their youngest principal at age 22.
