University or Conservatory

For the past few months now I have been writing college essay’s and filling out countless applications. I have visited seven schools since my last blog post and am more confused than ever about where I want to go to college. My main struggle now is do I want to attend a traditional university or do I want the conservatory life?

Universities play to the part of me that likes big and flashy. I’ve now visited Northwestern, DePaul University, Oberlin College, and Temple University. They were all magnificent and they all had so much to offer. All four were either in a city or right next door. They all had great Libraries with every book you could ever need or want. And they all offer academic classes that would challenge and excel me intellectually. And I think THAT is what I want in college!!

Most of the Universities, however, seemed to have many distractions. There would always be more parties at a University. There would be sports functions tempting me away from the practice rooms. And did I mention that generally Universities do not have many of those?

Conservatories, on the other hand, entice the musician in me. When I enter any conservatory I can feel the energy and focus surging through the building. As my Dad said during our visit to Cleveland Institute of Music, “You can tell that the business of music is happening in this building.” It’s invigorating for someone like me who would be happy to just practice cello until they die. Conservatories have so much to offer in the way of music. One amazing bonus to a conservatory is the vast number of concerts held weekly. Someone will always be giving a recital, there will be many visiting artists, and there are more orchestra concerts than you can keep up with. As a conservatory student you ingest so much music you get sick!   And I think THAT is what I want in college!

There is my problem. There are parts of both that I love. I am not asking for you to tell me what to do, because in the end I will have to do what I feel is best for me. But I would love to know if there are other pros and cons that you think should be brought up. ALSO, there is a poll on the side of my page. So, let me know! 

The problem with being a musician...

I know it has been some time since my last blog post. I have been so busy writing essays for my DE English course, and for my college application I could not find time to sit down and actually enjoy writing. So here it goes... sorry if I am kind of rusty. 

My topic today is one of the sad truths of being a musician. For the past seven years in Chattanooga, TN I have lived a sheltered and supported musical career. There are a number of amazing musicians, conductors, and teachers that have inspired and encouraged me. I would like to imagine that every young musician experience the degree of support that I have.

I know that for me, and many of my dear friends, it is senior year. In fact, it is half way though senior year, and if the next semester goes by half as quick as the last did, I will be leaving tomorrow. That is my sad realization. We must leave. Unless you are lucky enough to live in New York City, Boston, Cleveland, or Chicago, you have realized this as much as I have. Being a musician means branching out, and making connections. I have applied to nine amazing institutions that can all offer me an amazing educational experience. It should be exciting to leave, and make it on my own.

At first I lost sight of the positive aspect of leaving. All I could think about was leaving my supportive amazing environment, my incredible parents, and crazy friends. I terrified myself thinking about the negatives of leaving. Just getting into a great music institution is a stressful process, I can not fathom what it will be like to actually attend one. How will I ever do it?

Then I remembered how much I love my instrument. I remembered that when I leave home, I get to take my cello. That might seem like a “duh” kind of moment. Maybe it was. But I finally had that "dud" moment, and I understood that leaving will not be that bad. I will meet new people, make new friends, and most importantly, I will get to play music at a higher level. I am going to HATE leaving, but I am going to love leaving with my cello. If you are going through this same sort of predicament please, please, please do not dread the end of the year. Find excitement in anything. Enjoy this experience, because it only ever happens once. 

Leaving means a brand new beginning. It means starting a new chapter of life. Why not enjoy it? The lesson I learned is Universal. Whether you go off to a conservatory, or study engineering at University of Michigan, get excited. Cry, weep, break down. But then pick yourself up, and march on knowing that you are pursuing what you love.