der landstreicher

I could get used to this...

I must say, I have enjoyed myself a great deal these past weeks. Sure, when the homework begins to bear down or when that lesson looms close for which you really have not prepared enough, life can seem a bit dim. But, removed from these momentary lapses into psychosis, I feel as though the fog is truly beginning to lift.

For those of you who may not know, I have been working throughout this semester as the Assistant Music Director for Valpo's production of a musical called "Into the Woods". What might that entail, you ask? Well, I have had a great deal of "podium time", that is, time as the conductor in front of the ensemble--up until now in a rehearsal setting. I have had the opportunity to conduct entire rehearsals, sometimes as the only Music Director present. I've truly felt like a contributing member of the directorial staff whose opinion matters. All of this is thanks to Dr. Friesen-Carper (VU's orchestra conductor, one of my mentors, and the production's Music Director) and Dr. Orchard (VU's Theatre department chair and the production's Stage Director). I will even be conducting a portion of one of the upcoming performances. All of this is to say that my life has, once again, been turned upside-down and subsequently molded around the theatre.

and I'm loving it...

This semester has given me my first real chance to experience what it is like to live a performer's lifestyle. I will use today as an example. Thanks to a couple canceled classes, my day was as follows:
--9am: Out of bed
--9am-11am: Work on homework/clean my room
--11am-12:30pm: a relaxing lunch
--12:30pm-2pm: clean kitchen, a little reading
--2pm-3pm: at the VUCA, practicing
--3pm-4pm: instrumental colloquium (a masterclass, of sorts)
--4pm-6pm: Chorale rehearsal
--6pm-7pm: dinner with a friend
--7pm: call for Into the Woods orchestra
--8pm: curtain rises on final dress rehearsal
--11pm: dress rehearsal ends
--11:15pm: back home and have a distinct desire to find some friends at a bar

Now, as I see it, if I simply replaced the everything from 9am to 6pm with a job as a waiter somewhere, I would basically have the schedule of every actor and musician who is doing what they love and hoping for a big break. And it is amazing. The best part is, this lifestyle has been growing on me for a while, to a point where I am even surprising myself. Take this example.

While completing my application for a Fulbright Grant (another blog entry on this topic to follow sometime, I'm certain), I needed to, in six lines or less, describe my future plans. In a spurt of stream-of-consciousness writing, this is what I said:

(after returning from a year in Germany, funded by the generous people of the Fulbright Commission) "I plan to enroll in a graduate music program with my final goal being a D.M.A. in conducting. After earning this degree, I hope to gain a professorship at a small liberal arts university, where I can serve as a musician, educator, and mentor. I also hope to supplement my pedagogical work with professional conducting engagements including, but not limited to: opera, oratorio, and music theatre."

After writing this, I read it over five times. And it hit me. That is it! That is what I want to do. To continue this crazy life as a professional musician who will push their own sanity to the brink so that they can create such wonderful art. But to also be the type of mentor like those I have had in my life thus far. It's the Dr. Friesen-Carpers and the Dr. Orchards of the world who give people like me, an undergrad with no experience, the opportunity to grow so fast and learn so much more than would be thought possible.

And to give me the chance to live this life. What a life it is. I think it's time I made it my own.

But first...I think I am going to go find so friends at that bar...

Peace.

posted by John D. Nevergall @ 00:30