Graduate Schools

Hi all,

I hope if you're reading this and you've been through the graduate school thing that you'll leave some comments with your thoughts on my school choices/imput about the schools. After meeting with Ostrander today about grad school stuff, I'm more confused about where I'd like to go for grad school, but I also have a bit more direction as to what places might be good for me. Here are the schools I'm looking at; the plan right now is to persue a degree in trombone performance AND wind conducting.

1. University of Iowa
2. University of Indiana
3. Eastman School of Music
4. University of Austin, TX
5. University of WI-Madison

Initially Rice University was on this list, but after talking with both PAO and Becker, it would seem that the opportunity for conducting at Rice is very very limited and I wouldn't be getting closer to my goal for teaching. Performance opportunity would be great, but that isn't my entire goal (I REALLY want to teach high school or college). The performance degree is just to keep me on track with my playing. So it sounds like Rice will probably be off the list, even though that will mean more long distance dating.


The U of Iowa would be great because I have heard good things about the trombone prof there (hopefully I'll be getting a lesson sometime around Thanksgiving-time) and I know the quality of Dr. Heidel's ensembles and conducting techniques. There are multiple ensembles in Iowa, not just orchestra like Rice, and there is a good chance I could get some scholarship money or a TA position. The down side to Iowa is the floods have destroyed the music building so the facility isn't great, and also the fact that I've already worked with Dr. Heidel for 4 years at college. It might be good to get a different experience/conductor.

Indiana was highly recommended by Dr. O for me; although I'm not sure how I'd feel about playing in a studio with SO many trombonists. The school has a good reputation for musicians and the players who come out of there sound really good, however it is expensive and I don't know how I would respond to Carl's teaching (I've never taken a lesson with him before).

Eastman was recommended to me by PAO and Megumi, so I've begun seriously considering auditioning there again. Pros to Eastman are the name (GREAT music school reputation), and the trombone choir/studio has always been strong there. Not as many gigging opportunities here though, and it is VERY expensive to go to school. Don't know if I'd like to study with Marcellus enough to justify paying that much each year; plus the cost of living.

University of Austin is one I've recently been looking into. Their trombone choir sounded GREAT at ETW; lots of very strong players there. I also like that there are endless opportunities to teach down in TX, which isn't the case with some of these other schools. The name of the school isn't great compared to the others; plus I'd be living down in Texas (not great).

Madison is one that Dr.O mentioned today. I heard back from Hetzler immediately after emailing him and he told me a bit about the studio and his mentality. Lots of opportunities to play in many different settings and scholarship money available. Downside is its UW-Madison; not a great school for music anymore (compared to many), there are no TA positions available for music and it is really close to home. Not sure how I feel about this one...

So there is my situation; I'd appreciate any feedback anyone might offer.


With love and grad school planning,
Rachel

One more...

I forgot to mention that I washed my bedsheets today. I can't WAIT to go home and sleep in fresh sheets....best feeling ever.

Quick Update

Hi all!

Lots to do, so I'll keep this fast.

1. I'm still sick; the steroids I'm taking to get the swelling of the tonsils down aren't helping AT ALL. (It's been a full week). Halloween Haunt starts tomorrow night. I'm very excited to do that; hopefully getting away will help me recover....

2. Trombone is going rather mediocre; I just need to boost my confidence a bit and know that I sound good. ***Goal for the week; don't doubt my playing ability*** (Someone hold me to this, please ;)

3. My parents are renewing their wedding vows in December. YAY!!!!!!!!! :)


4. I began applying to graduate schools yesterday and scheduling lessons. Right now it looks like: Rice, University of Iowa and potentially the University of Austin, TX. Not sure what I'm looking for yet really...

5. I am flying to Houston in 5 weeks! (just 35 days!) CAN'T. WAIT.

6. Cohort is starting to slip away from me, since I have been sick lately. I need to really focus and take accountability for what I need to learn. Time to get serious and really get things figured out.

4. I miss people. Especially the older people who graduated; Becker, Justin, Mary, Kailyn, Monica, Brad etc....mostly just not seeing people around is weird and makes me sad. BUT...I know that I'm about to start an insanely busy time in my college career, so maybe its good that people aren't around much so I can focus on other things too. But I still miss people. :)


Time for me to get some music library stuff done; peace.

Love,
Rachel

Whooo-eeeee!

Your Name Comes From Neptune

You are able to adapt to any situation, surroundings, or groups. You are highly flexible. You tend to hang back and observe before you show your cards. Because of this, you are often seen as mysterious. You are very intuitive and sensitive. You have a deep understanding of the world, even though the world doesn't understand you. At times you feel like you could be psychic. You read people that well.

What Planet Does Your Name Come From?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

Houston Trip...T-Minus ? days.

Found out some very frustrating news today. Mr. Baca just told Jazz I that we have another concert that wasn't listed on the schedule on October 29th. Unfortunately, Becker has already booked me a flight to Houston to spend a few days with him and take some graduate school lessons from Oct. 28th - Nov.1. Now I have to pay $150 to re-book the flight and I also must try to find a way to get my teachers to allow me out of class. Just kind of hard for me. I almost cried when I found out about the concert because I thought my trip might have to be cancelled entirely. I guess $150 isn't bad in the long run....just wish I didn't have to spend that money.

On a lighter note, I feel that school is going really REALLY well this semester. I'm keeping up with everything generally speaking and have a positive outlook on things overall. Now I just need to be a bit more confident with my trombone playing; sometimes I get down on myself. The pressure is on for me to get into Rice this spring; I want to get accepted there. Iowa is another possibility while the U of Houston is a distant 3rd. Baby steps.

This week is SAI and PMA Rush Week! Meet n Greet was Monday, yesterday we grilled and played frisbee outside Haas, tonight is free bowling at Hilltop, then there is movie night and our formal dinner on Friday.

Friday will be sweet, because I will also be going to OKTOBERFEST! I LOVE LEINE'S OKTOBERFEST!!!! Sounds like a bunch of people will be coming up for the lovely event...it'll be nice to see Brad, Lauren and Vernie (?) again. :) This will be my last weekend as a Benchwarmer at Valleyfair for the year. Hopefully next year I can be a seasonal manager; I could definitely use the hours and I feel I'm about done with the Benchwarmer thing. 4 years is a long time to do the same summer job.

Next weekend is the HALLOWEEN HAUNT at ValleyScare. I'm going to be a dead babydoll (or something to that extent). Pretty pumped for that...but I have a crap-ton of work to do on learning the Thriller dance in its entirety. Time to hit up the YouTube and watch some MJ.

Sorry for the long post, hopefully my next one will be soon and not quite so long. :) Only 4_ days until Houston!!!

Love,
Rachel