Sunday, February 28, 2010
formspring.me
Ask me whatever you want, mes petites lumières des étoiles. http://formspring.me/cgallagher08
Monday, February 22, 2010
Thinking schools. Again.
I have college and future plans on the brain again. It's what I obsess over, about 99% of the time.
I have applied to six universities:
1. University of North Carolina School of the Arts
2. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
3. East Carolina University
4. Appalachian State University
5. Western Carolina University, and
6. North Carolina State University
Those are in order of where I'd like to go. So far, I have been accepted at NC State and ECU (although I've not auditioned for their School of Music yet). I have auditioned at UNC Chapel Hill and UNC School of the Arts, which are my top two choices! :)
Basically, the School of the Arts and Chapel Hill are the only two schools that I actually want to go to, at this point. The other four schools are back up plans (after an elaborate, yet sporadic and daring plan to take a break from school to study music in NYC...but anyways). Plus NC State is pretty much out because they have nothing to offer me: no music, and no B.A. in Math, (only a B.S. in Math)....so, I am pretty much planning my life around UNCSA and UNC-Chapel Hill.
Here's the deal: If I do not get in to either, or if I only get in to one, then all of my problems will be solved, and none of this worrying will matter. If, however (crossing my fingers), I am accepted to both prestigious universities, I cannot decide which one I should go to. (I swear, sometimes I think that being an INTJ, the way that I think is a curse. In the long run, though, it's always a blessing.)
UNCSA is a conservatory, and so obviously the better choice, in terms of music and vocal training. It specifically trains students for a professional career as a performing artist. They also have an unofficial pipeline to Broadway, as most alumni end up there. Also, I have worked with several UNSCA alumni in the past, and their talent, confidence, and professionalism far exceed those around them. But it will take me another four years for one degree: a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (I would start out as a freshman again in the Fall).
On the other hand, UNC Chapel Hill will take 4-5 semesters (depending on one or two summer semesters), to get a B.A. in Music, plus a B.A. in Math, which together would beat most resumés. Then I could go ahead to NYC or the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati (or any other conservatory, but you get the idea...), for graduate school.
My ultimate plan either way is to be classically trained for my undergraduate studies, then go to graduate school for Musical Theatre. (Since, apparently Musical Theatre is where I ultimately belong....read the post below for THAT story). So, if I go to UNC School of the Arts, then I will be 24 years old with a B.M., then 26 years old when I finish my Master's degree. And if I go to UNC Chapel Hill, then I will be 21 years old with two B.A.s, and then 23 years old with a B.A. in Math, and a Master's in Vocal Performance with a concentration in Musical Theatre, and a Classical foundation. Which to me seems like the better choice...(Being an INTJ, I think in terms of the long run. Or in this case, the long-long run).
What to do, what to do....?
Wait until mid-March when I get my notifications, I suppose is all I can do for now.
I have applied to six universities:
1. University of North Carolina School of the Arts
2. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
3. East Carolina University
4. Appalachian State University
5. Western Carolina University, and
6. North Carolina State University
Those are in order of where I'd like to go. So far, I have been accepted at NC State and ECU (although I've not auditioned for their School of Music yet). I have auditioned at UNC Chapel Hill and UNC School of the Arts, which are my top two choices! :)
Basically, the School of the Arts and Chapel Hill are the only two schools that I actually want to go to, at this point. The other four schools are back up plans (after an elaborate, yet sporadic and daring plan to take a break from school to study music in NYC...but anyways). Plus NC State is pretty much out because they have nothing to offer me: no music, and no B.A. in Math, (only a B.S. in Math)....so, I am pretty much planning my life around UNCSA and UNC-Chapel Hill.
Here's the deal: If I do not get in to either, or if I only get in to one, then all of my problems will be solved, and none of this worrying will matter. If, however (crossing my fingers), I am accepted to both prestigious universities, I cannot decide which one I should go to. (I swear, sometimes I think that being an INTJ, the way that I think is a curse. In the long run, though, it's always a blessing.)
UNCSA is a conservatory, and so obviously the better choice, in terms of music and vocal training. It specifically trains students for a professional career as a performing artist. They also have an unofficial pipeline to Broadway, as most alumni end up there. Also, I have worked with several UNSCA alumni in the past, and their talent, confidence, and professionalism far exceed those around them. But it will take me another four years for one degree: a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (I would start out as a freshman again in the Fall).
On the other hand, UNC Chapel Hill will take 4-5 semesters (depending on one or two summer semesters), to get a B.A. in Music, plus a B.A. in Math, which together would beat most resumés. Then I could go ahead to NYC or the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati (or any other conservatory, but you get the idea...), for graduate school.
My ultimate plan either way is to be classically trained for my undergraduate studies, then go to graduate school for Musical Theatre. (Since, apparently Musical Theatre is where I ultimately belong....read the post below for THAT story). So, if I go to UNC School of the Arts, then I will be 24 years old with a B.M., then 26 years old when I finish my Master's degree. And if I go to UNC Chapel Hill, then I will be 21 years old with two B.A.s, and then 23 years old with a B.A. in Math, and a Master's in Vocal Performance with a concentration in Musical Theatre, and a Classical foundation. Which to me seems like the better choice...(Being an INTJ, I think in terms of the long run. Or in this case, the long-long run).
What to do, what to do....?
Wait until mid-March when I get my notifications, I suppose is all I can do for now.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Interesting Reviews
So, I have successfully completed two of my five college music auditions.
Or unsuccessfully?
It's hard to say, but one thing's for sure: The general consensus among the music faculty at the universities I have auditioned for seems to be that I am better suited for Musical Theatre, as opposed to Classical training. I suppose based on my solo repertoire and my extensive background in musical theatre, it is easy to assume that musical theatre is my area of focus and intention.
Au contraire.
My intention is to be classically trained. I have been thorough in my research of universities and their music programs, what they are all about, and certainly the difference in musical theatre training and classical training.
Hearing that consistent uncertainty in my musical purpose has somewhat daunted me. I was taken aback at today's audition, after performing a requested musical theatre piece. They asked me what my interest in their program is. And if I thought I would be bored at their school...studying French, German, Italian literature, etc...I wondered if they really assumed I had not made myself aware of what type of singer their program composes, how they train, and exactly what I might be getting myself into. Which, frankly, slightly offended me.
Of course, I wouldn't be bored! That's exactly WHY I chose to major in music. So that I could learn all of that, and build a solid foundation from which to launch and maintain a successful music career. I know exactly what I am getting into, and what I am looking for. I may not be (vocally or by genre) exactly what they look for in auditionees or future/prospective students, and I was aware of that before auditioning...But I guarantee them this: They are exactly what I want. And I am willing to do what it takes to get the training that I firmly believe in, and hold the highest respect for as a musician. For what other reason would I even bother?...If I didn't give it my all or work to and above my highest standards? I am not the type of person, or musician, that settles. That, in my book, is not above giving up.
I didn't skip a beat, though. I explained that I was completely aware of what it means to be classically trained, and that it has never been my intention to major in musical theatre. I also explained that I understand that, although that is what my background is made up of, and that I have never been operatically trained, it is still my desire to become a classically trained singer.
Even then, they threw back that it's okay to admit that Musical Theatre is my career intention and that I may wish to base the extension of my career in performance on classical training...but that thought has never crossed my mind. And I explained that in a Statement of Purpose that was submitted along with my application.
But never fear. (Although I somehow screwed up the Italian piece that I have been studying for over a year)...I was the last voice student to audition today, and the first to be asked to perform three pieces (as opposed to two), and also the first to get a perfect score on the sight-reading. Surprise, surprise. My theory may be a little bit of proof that I am working to be where I know I want to be.
I plan to exhaust every source possible to prove that that school is exactly where I have specifically chosen to attend.
Good day.
Or unsuccessfully?
It's hard to say, but one thing's for sure: The general consensus among the music faculty at the universities I have auditioned for seems to be that I am better suited for Musical Theatre, as opposed to Classical training. I suppose based on my solo repertoire and my extensive background in musical theatre, it is easy to assume that musical theatre is my area of focus and intention.
Au contraire.
My intention is to be classically trained. I have been thorough in my research of universities and their music programs, what they are all about, and certainly the difference in musical theatre training and classical training.
Hearing that consistent uncertainty in my musical purpose has somewhat daunted me. I was taken aback at today's audition, after performing a requested musical theatre piece. They asked me what my interest in their program is. And if I thought I would be bored at their school...studying French, German, Italian literature, etc...I wondered if they really assumed I had not made myself aware of what type of singer their program composes, how they train, and exactly what I might be getting myself into. Which, frankly, slightly offended me.
Of course, I wouldn't be bored! That's exactly WHY I chose to major in music. So that I could learn all of that, and build a solid foundation from which to launch and maintain a successful music career. I know exactly what I am getting into, and what I am looking for. I may not be (vocally or by genre) exactly what they look for in auditionees or future/prospective students, and I was aware of that before auditioning...But I guarantee them this: They are exactly what I want. And I am willing to do what it takes to get the training that I firmly believe in, and hold the highest respect for as a musician. For what other reason would I even bother?...If I didn't give it my all or work to and above my highest standards? I am not the type of person, or musician, that settles. That, in my book, is not above giving up.
I didn't skip a beat, though. I explained that I was completely aware of what it means to be classically trained, and that it has never been my intention to major in musical theatre. I also explained that I understand that, although that is what my background is made up of, and that I have never been operatically trained, it is still my desire to become a classically trained singer.
Even then, they threw back that it's okay to admit that Musical Theatre is my career intention and that I may wish to base the extension of my career in performance on classical training...but that thought has never crossed my mind. And I explained that in a Statement of Purpose that was submitted along with my application.
But never fear. (Although I somehow screwed up the Italian piece that I have been studying for over a year)...I was the last voice student to audition today, and the first to be asked to perform three pieces (as opposed to two), and also the first to get a perfect score on the sight-reading. Surprise, surprise. My theory may be a little bit of proof that I am working to be where I know I want to be.
I plan to exhaust every source possible to prove that that school is exactly where I have specifically chosen to attend.
Good day.
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