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| - Britannica Image Quest |
It's the End of the Semester!
The end of the semester is approaching. Unfortunately, I have discovered that my Theory III exam, Sophomore Review, and Piano Proficiency Test are all on the same day. Let me explain what some of these concepts are. A Sophomore Review, also called a Sophomore Barrier, is very similar to juries which are what music majors go through at the end of every semester. A jury is where you play a selection of music, usually from what you have worked on all semester, for a panel of judges and they give you a grade. Sophomore reviews are slightly different because this particular jury is longer, has more music, and determines if you can continue on in the music program. Therefore, I MUST pass my Sophomore review. Here at Henderson, we have a very rigorous piano program. Music majors must take four full semesters of class piano, and we do all types of piano playing including: solos, reading full band scores, playing SATB arrangements, accompanist pieces, and full technique of scales, arpeggios, KCPs, chord progressions, and secondary dominance. This seems like a lot, and it really is! I will be tested on it all in order to exit out of piano, and honestly, I will never touch the instrument again. (I complain about piano a lot.) So, here is some advice on passing your juries and finals.
1. Practice your music more than the night before.
You've had this music for how long? You've been practicing this music all semester, and in my case the piano material for weeks. Cramming the night before will not help. This goes the same for class material for finals.
2. Calm down.
Wayne Dyer said, “It makes no sense to worry about things you have control over because there’s nothing you can do about them, and why worry about things you do control? The activity of worrying keeps you immobilized.” Stressing will not help at all. Try meditating, taking walks, listening to music, or anything to reduce your stress levels.
3. Get sleep.
Your body needs sleep. Staying up all night studying will not help if you are exhausted and falling asleep with a book in your face. Yes, you can sleep in practice rooms.
4. Eat a piece of chocolate before the exam.
Chocolate can improve performances on test, and milk chocolate is said to boost your memory. So, eat a piece of chocolate the morning of the exam in order to increase brain activity. This is a great excuse to eat chocolate!
5. Find out what you have to score to pass.
I once needed a 73% on a final to keep an A in the class. When you know what you have to have on the final to pass, you often feel much better about the exam.
6. Have a back-up reed…or 5.
We all do this at least once, but really, have back up reeds to play on. Don’t rely on your one perfect reed to work that morning. This goes the same for having valve oil, mouthpieces, and any other musical accouterments for your instrument.
7. Practice or study in increments.
Vivien Mackie, a famous cellist, could only practice for 45 minute increments before she would become unfocused. Don’t try to study or practice for 3 hours straight. Your brain will disengage, and you will end up remembering less.
8. Learn to say no.
You can hang out with friends after your finals! Go study or practice!
9. Make a schedule.
Make a timetable that lists what you will study and when. Make sure it’s in small blocks of study time and include some down time. Stick to your schedule!
10. Celebrate.
When finals are over, go have some fun! You survived. I, for example, will be taking a trip with a friend.
Good luck! “May the odds be ever in your favor”, and may the judges be kind!
Happy reading!
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| - the life of a music major |
1. Practice your music more than the night before.
You've had this music for how long? You've been practicing this music all semester, and in my case the piano material for weeks. Cramming the night before will not help. This goes the same for class material for finals.
2. Calm down.
Wayne Dyer said, “It makes no sense to worry about things you have control over because there’s nothing you can do about them, and why worry about things you do control? The activity of worrying keeps you immobilized.” Stressing will not help at all. Try meditating, taking walks, listening to music, or anything to reduce your stress levels.
3. Get sleep.
Your body needs sleep. Staying up all night studying will not help if you are exhausted and falling asleep with a book in your face. Yes, you can sleep in practice rooms.
4. Eat a piece of chocolate before the exam.
Chocolate can improve performances on test, and milk chocolate is said to boost your memory. So, eat a piece of chocolate the morning of the exam in order to increase brain activity. This is a great excuse to eat chocolate!
5. Find out what you have to score to pass.
I once needed a 73% on a final to keep an A in the class. When you know what you have to have on the final to pass, you often feel much better about the exam.
6. Have a back-up reed…or 5.
We all do this at least once, but really, have back up reeds to play on. Don’t rely on your one perfect reed to work that morning. This goes the same for having valve oil, mouthpieces, and any other musical accouterments for your instrument.
7. Practice or study in increments.
Vivien Mackie, a famous cellist, could only practice for 45 minute increments before she would become unfocused. Don’t try to study or practice for 3 hours straight. Your brain will disengage, and you will end up remembering less.
8. Learn to say no.
You can hang out with friends after your finals! Go study or practice!
9. Make a schedule.
Make a timetable that lists what you will study and when. Make sure it’s in small blocks of study time and include some down time. Stick to your schedule!
10. Celebrate.
When finals are over, go have some fun! You survived. I, for example, will be taking a trip with a friend.
Good luck! “May the odds be ever in your favor”, and may the judges be kind!
Happy reading!
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