(no subject)
At last the long promised college introductory entry *pause for applause*. This has been a reasonably intense two weeks(?) or so but I suppose that is to be expected considering the whole life altering, dramatic transition ... thing that me and peers are faced with. I've considered doing this entry a number of times over the past week and most of those times were during emotional peeks of some sort so instead I decided to wait and do it now where I'm not feeling anything particuarlly distinct. I feel this is probably a safe strategy. The downside of this is that I will not go into any great detail about my first week here and instead will simply say. Welcome week, what a great fucking idea. Bring a bunch of kids into New York City and give them free things for one week. Well technically not free at all but I think to point is clear. Anyways a quick rundown of the more notable events in which I participated Hypnotist, Jazz Coffee House, Open Mic Night, Magician, Sketch Comedy, some silly dance party type thing and a bunch of really neat lectures given by notable faculty. I went to lectures on African Cinema, Digital Music, Student Finance and US International Relations. Not suprisingly out of the 5,000 or so freshmen that received information on the academic events about 20 probably went to each meeting. Also Leah stayed with me for a few days while she was a displaced Tulane refugee instead of a moderately disgrunted BU student.
So lets see here the big thing in my life so far has been finding out exactly what I've gotten myself into with this whole Percussion Major thing. Jesus fucking christ. First off, there are only 8 people in the whole Percussion Department including the TA and out of those 8 only 2 are undergrad. The remainder are Graduate and Doctoral Students. I knew the department was small but apparently this is the first year they accepted freshmen. Kind of sweet. Anyways the professor, Jonathan Haas, went over the program with the department the other day and announced that he was stepping up the program to be one of the best and most agressive in the country. Here is an incomplete list of things I am being graded on for my major:
-Physical Fitness, Eating Well, Getting Enough Sleep, Substance Free, etc
-Attending Museams, Concerts and other Arts related events after which I must submit reviews
-Preparing and Researching a weekly oral or written report that provides context and background to the materials covered in my lessons
-Creating a database of career opportunities on the local, national and international levels which can include job openings, competitions, scholarships and study opportunities
-Attend 3 extra classes including some at Juliard that I get no credit for but if I miss one then I run the risk of failing my major
-Independently start a chamber group and prepare a set for an eventual concert
So exciting, so horrifying, so overwhelming, so awesome. Its going to be very interesting to see what happens in the upcoming weeks once this all gets moving. I've been joking to people that they are destroying my life in order to build a new one but perhaps that's not too far from the truth. But in addition to these scary challenging things there are very good things too. The performance opportunities here are incredible. In the first week I already have several things lined up. Cheif among these is a seat in the NYU Symphony Orchestra which I am incredibly excited to be recieving as a Freshman. Apparently I am told it is somthing of a big deal. The other biggie is that in April I will be playing in the World Premeire of a professional Opera Production. How incredible is that? Other ensembles include the NYU Percussion Ensemble, which is the top ranked in the state and will probably be touring this year, the Steel Drum Band and a Chamber Group. I guess this is why I chose to come here and not Berklee, I am going to be challenged more that I had really anticipated which is good. Scary, but good. I feel like this school isn't just going to let me get my degree and roll on out into the real world and impending destitution.
So yeah life is good and I am happy. My only real concerns are social ones and that is to be expected because I have a history of moderate anit-social tendecies. I don't really consider it a bad thing. I'll find friends here eventually. It only took me 3 years in High School. Later.
So lets see here the big thing in my life so far has been finding out exactly what I've gotten myself into with this whole Percussion Major thing. Jesus fucking christ. First off, there are only 8 people in the whole Percussion Department including the TA and out of those 8 only 2 are undergrad. The remainder are Graduate and Doctoral Students. I knew the department was small but apparently this is the first year they accepted freshmen. Kind of sweet. Anyways the professor, Jonathan Haas, went over the program with the department the other day and announced that he was stepping up the program to be one of the best and most agressive in the country. Here is an incomplete list of things I am being graded on for my major:
-Physical Fitness, Eating Well, Getting Enough Sleep, Substance Free, etc
-Attending Museams, Concerts and other Arts related events after which I must submit reviews
-Preparing and Researching a weekly oral or written report that provides context and background to the materials covered in my lessons
-Creating a database of career opportunities on the local, national and international levels which can include job openings, competitions, scholarships and study opportunities
-Attend 3 extra classes including some at Juliard that I get no credit for but if I miss one then I run the risk of failing my major
-Independently start a chamber group and prepare a set for an eventual concert
So exciting, so horrifying, so overwhelming, so awesome. Its going to be very interesting to see what happens in the upcoming weeks once this all gets moving. I've been joking to people that they are destroying my life in order to build a new one but perhaps that's not too far from the truth. But in addition to these scary challenging things there are very good things too. The performance opportunities here are incredible. In the first week I already have several things lined up. Cheif among these is a seat in the NYU Symphony Orchestra which I am incredibly excited to be recieving as a Freshman. Apparently I am told it is somthing of a big deal. The other biggie is that in April I will be playing in the World Premeire of a professional Opera Production. How incredible is that? Other ensembles include the NYU Percussion Ensemble, which is the top ranked in the state and will probably be touring this year, the Steel Drum Band and a Chamber Group. I guess this is why I chose to come here and not Berklee, I am going to be challenged more that I had really anticipated which is good. Scary, but good. I feel like this school isn't just going to let me get my degree and roll on out into the real world and impending destitution.
So yeah life is good and I am happy. My only real concerns are social ones and that is to be expected because I have a history of moderate anit-social tendecies. I don't really consider it a bad thing. I'll find friends here eventually. It only took me 3 years in High School. Later.