a bit of friendly competition

[post_beat]

according to livejournal's internal chronometer it has been approximately six months since i last updated here...i am a sorry sob to say the least. in recompense and in a bit of renewed interest i have something to talk about again

Comments

Howdy

[anonymous]

Hey Pat, Jeff Spenner here. Let me first say that you're brave. You're brave for stating the truth about what seems at first to be a glamorous career yet what may very easily become a dream never achieved. You are so right in knowing that the college program can very well make or break the student. I mean, why did I steer away from smaller colleges in my search? It's also ungodly competitive. Not to toot my own horn, but I've always considered myself a fairly capable and competent player, right? Well, out of the seven schools I applied to, three accepted me, one of which being CMU, where I've studied these past two years anyway! It can be a very painful and humbling experience going from the small pond we call Essexville to the freakin' big pond called Earth. I am thankful, however, that I did get accepted by the University of Illinois and that I am able to go there as a Music Performance/Education double major. Yet still, I'm scared out of my wits as to my job prospects. Some days, I wonder why I still bother. Then it hits me, and that brings me to my second statement. The moment you lose sight of what originally drove you hard, of what fueled your passion and desire, is the moment that you have to back track. If you love music so dang much that you're willing to spend countless hours in an unairconditioned practice room with a tuner droning and a metronome beating your brains out, then you're in the right business. I may be wrong, I'm only now going into college, but I feel that the biggest mistake people make is that they lose their idealism. It is that passion that drives good musicians. Sometimes, I think that we just need to get out of our small town mentality, realize, basically, how much we suck (this is what I've done), and go back and start learning properly. I don't know music nearly as well as I should going to U of I. Oh well. I'll just have to work harder than anyone and then come out on top. Pat, you always have been one of the most knowledgeable musicians I know. Your knowledge of the history and fundamentals is astounding (and your saxophoning goes without saying!) so if you're questioning yourself as a musician...DON'T. Perhaps, just question the niche you are trying to get into. Perhaps you'd be better at a college level, teaching Music History? As long as you are fueled by your passion, you will find a way to succeed. However, you are by no means unready to teach. In short, yes, some music programs suck. That doesn't mean that you have to. I'm sorry if this doesn't help you feel any better. I know I'm probably rambling, but I'd love to chat with you sometime if you'd like. Please, in any case, stay in touch. My email's spenner2@uiuc.edu . Take care.