The end of summer draws neigh. While I’m sitting here continuing to try and figure out this “real life” thing (I’ve stumbled upon the cure for the common cold, though that’s not related to my field, so I tossed the paperwork), many of my potential readers are preparing to go back to school. Though I have both physically and emotionally finished with my undergraduate years of music school, I can’t help but think about my first year at Rowan University as a jazz education major and how different those experiences were from all my other years there.
All freshmen are dummies, regardless of where you go. That is simply an integral part of the natural order. However, there are a few hard realities that hit me at some point during my first year that I wish I could have walked in just knowing. I guess the best way to learn where the random concrete wall in your house is placed is to walk into it over and over until you remember, but for those of you jumping into music school for the first time, here’s a few things you might want to keep in mind to get the most out of your education.
If you honestly believe there’s a pool on the roof, either you need to read a different blog, or I went to the wrong school.
You’ll Be Busier Than Your Friends (and no one cares)
So…college time…four classes per semester at three credits each…maybe a fifth class with one of them being a four-credit lab just because you’re so gosh-darn hardworking.
Nope. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that kind of a schedule is for many of the other non-music majors. Even taking a fifth year of some extra studies voluntarily and stretching out my plan a bit to let me breathe, I never had a semester where I only had four or five “classes” to worry about. I think my record was somewhere around sixteen-ish at one point. Yes, this includes private lessons and ensembles because you’re a music major. It’s what you do.
So…college time…four classes per semester at three credits each…maybe a fifth class with one of them being a four-credit lab just because you’re so gosh-darn hardworking.
Nope. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that kind of a schedule is for many of the other non-music majors. Even taking a fifth year of some extra studies voluntarily and stretching out my plan a bit to let me breathe, I never had a semester where I only had four or five “classes” to worry about. I think my record was somewhere around sixteen-ish at one point. Yes, this includes private lessons and ensembles because you’re a music major. It’s what you do.
Playin’ serm Sousa is yer JERRRRRRRBBBBB!
How is this possible without signing over the ownership of your first-born child for extra credits? The majority of the classes I ended up taking for both the education and performance tracks were two, one, half…even zero credits. While Rowan eliminated the latter being a thing, that still leaves you with nine courses if they’re all two credits each if you’re packing yourself to that 18-credit limit. With the number of courses you need to finish for music education especially, you’ll want to pack yourself to the max each semester.
…and your non-music friends won’t care. They don’t have to; they’ll be busy with what they have to do in between wild parties four nights a week, and you’ll be busy doing what you have to do. Your college major (and how much time you give to various parts of your life) is your choice. You have a lot more choices to make in life, and few things worth having come easy, so be prepared to jump through some hoops if music really is your passion. Flaming hoops. Suspended above a shark tank. And you’re a cat.
…and your non-music friends won’t care. They don’t have to; they’ll be busy with what they have to do in between wild parties four nights a week, and you’ll be busy doing what you have to do. Your college major (and how much time you give to various parts of your life) is your choice. You have a lot more choices to make in life, and few things worth having come easy, so be prepared to jump through some hoops if music really is your passion. Flaming hoops. Suspended above a shark tank. And you’re a cat.
If you’ve ever played any video game ever, just the water alone is scary enough.
8 AM Classes Are a Thing. Just Go.
Oh man. Majoring in music is going to be awesome! You’ll be playing your instruments constantly, getting to hang with professional players on a regular basis, making musical contac…what? 8 AM classes EVERY DAY your first semester? That’s it. Might as well go major in something else where you can sleep until noon at the earliest every day.
Know what else you have to pick responsible bedtimes for and wake up at particular times to not be late to things? Real life. Again, if you’re not willing to jump through those flaming sea-kitten hoops I mentioned earlier, maybe you shouldn’t be planning on spending your life doing it.
Oh man. Majoring in music is going to be awesome! You’ll be playing your instruments constantly, getting to hang with professional players on a regular basis, making musical contac…what? 8 AM classes EVERY DAY your first semester? That’s it. Might as well go major in something else where you can sleep until noon at the earliest every day.
Know what else you have to pick responsible bedtimes for and wake up at particular times to not be late to things? Real life. Again, if you’re not willing to jump through those flaming sea-kitten hoops I mentioned earlier, maybe you shouldn’t be planning on spending your life doing it.
Unless you plan on majoring in “Sleep Studies” with a concentration in “Blanket Fort Construction.”
High School and You
Look at that motivational picture I’ve constructed using only wit and technology. Soak it in. Let its words echo through your head. Yes…that’s it…good…just a few more seconds…
As a freshman meeting new people, you’re naturally going to draw on your most recent experiences as a means of validating yourself to the strangers you’re going to be spending several years with. Everyone likes being impressive to some degree, even people who are modest and able to keep their egos in check. You want everyone to think you’re legit, and you must be a good player if your high school’s marching band were national champions of your division or if the jazz band got a gold rating at three competitions.
No one cares. More specifically, no one who matters cares. You may be carrying some awesome success stories of your high school’s ensembles with you, and those memories are definitely worth holding on to. However, you’re going to be interacting with the big fish of the other small high school ponds as well as many working and relevant professionals in the field almost every day. In fact, to get the most out of your time in music school, you need to meet and interact with as many people who can hand your metaphorical musical buns to you on a golden platter of sunshine and diamonds as much as possible.
As a freshman meeting new people, you’re naturally going to draw on your most recent experiences as a means of validating yourself to the strangers you’re going to be spending several years with. Everyone likes being impressive to some degree, even people who are modest and able to keep their egos in check. You want everyone to think you’re legit, and you must be a good player if your high school’s marching band were national champions of your division or if the jazz band got a gold rating at three competitions.
No one cares. More specifically, no one who matters cares. You may be carrying some awesome success stories of your high school’s ensembles with you, and those memories are definitely worth holding on to. However, you’re going to be interacting with the big fish of the other small high school ponds as well as many working and relevant professionals in the field almost every day. In fact, to get the most out of your time in music school, you need to meet and interact with as many people who can hand your metaphorical musical buns to you on a golden platter of sunshine and diamonds as much as possible.
Mmm…fresh-baked learnin’.
Start working towards something new and better now. Don’t dwell on past successes – they’ll just hold you back from doing greater things. Miles Davis always looked forward, and he did alright for himself. You know, besides all the substance-abuse issues.
Click here for Part 2!
Click here for Part 2!
Image Credit Links:
Ensemble: https://gustavus.edu/music/images/FAITH3wide.jpg
Fancy Pool: http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/3-ROOF-POOL.jpg
Jerbs: http://mimg.ugo.com/201012/2/7/2/135272/cuts/took-our-jobs_528x297.jpg
Cat: http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/beyondherbook/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/blogflame.jpg
Epic Blanket Fort: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3463193384_89c72d5c9a.jpg
Buns: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dYJa5r_cDZ8/TIl6MI_e8-I/AAAAAAAAA6A/DMs8-4Apods/s400/Brioche+Buns+1.jpg
Ensemble: https://gustavus.edu/music/images/FAITH3wide.jpg
Fancy Pool: http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/3-ROOF-POOL.jpg
Jerbs: http://mimg.ugo.com/201012/2/7/2/135272/cuts/took-our-jobs_528x297.jpg
Cat: http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/beyondherbook/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/blogflame.jpg
Epic Blanket Fort: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3463193384_89c72d5c9a.jpg
Buns: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dYJa5r_cDZ8/TIl6MI_e8-I/AAAAAAAAA6A/DMs8-4Apods/s400/Brioche+Buns+1.jpg
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