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getting my game face on

August 19, 2006 at 6:40 AM

My goals for the fall semester (ok, this blog is mostly for me to try and keep accountable):

1. Get a bitchin' seat in orchestra, and win at least one of my other auditions.

2. (Continue to) practice like crazy and get this damn recital rep up to par so I can do it either late first or early second semester.

3. Get Khachaturian REALLY solid by memory (it's insane to memorize) and destroy the concerto competition (well, TECHNICALLY that's second semester, but all the prep is now).

4. Get all the grad school audition rep solid as hell. ESP the Khach, Pag, Bach, and Beethoven

5. Win Bach-Handel

6. Figure out where exactly I'm applying for grad school. Also figure out if I want to get just a performance degree, or try and get a Performance/Suzuki, Performance/Pedagogy, or Performance/Music Ed thing. Also figure out whether I should get certified to teach in public schools.

7. Gig a TON and make a lot of money.

8. Start building a studio, especially if I think I might stay in the DC area.

9. Play in as many things as I can.

10 (and MOST important). GET RID OF MY CONSTANT OVERANALYZATION OF TECHNIQUE WHEN I PLAY AND JUST PLAY WHEN I AM PERFORMING. I think the single biggest obstacle I face is that I have self doubt/criticism when I perform, and THINKING too much about technique makes it hard as hell for me to play. I think that will take me to the next level in my playing.

That's all.

From Terez Mertes
Posted on August 19, 2006 at 1:34 PM

Great list - loved #10.

From Evie Spratt
Posted on August 19, 2006 at 2:25 PM

#7 Gig a lot and make a TON of money.

Now that's more like it.

Good luck. I find making a list is very helpful. I stick to it better when I have a list to keep up with.

From Maura Gerety
Posted on August 19, 2006 at 3:34 PM

Ohhh yeah, memorizing Khach was fun. I seem to remember it being easy to get stuck in some sort of endless loop. :)

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on August 20, 2006 at 1:50 AM

I like #7, too.

From Eileen Geriak
Posted on August 21, 2006 at 10:33 PM

I can relate to the thinking too much while trying to play comment. Gets in my way all the time being so new to this and all. So much to think about...so few brain cells to work with....

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