What's Up At New England Conservatory

Still without wireless

2006-09-09T00:18:00.000-05:00

We still don't have wireless internet. It is as if NEC is afraid to move forward. I wonder what IT has to say about this. Everyone wants it. The technology is extremely available and practices and policies regarding the use of wireless is commonplace. It can't be a technicality. I don't even think it's money. That's too easy. There has to be something deeper like a tumor that's just making everything difficult.

What will it take to make NEC go forward? Is it really just money? Could it be the administration? Maybe it's just the it ain't broke so don't fix it retro mentality that pervades NEC.

What happened to the annual BBQ?

2006-09-08T23:32:00.000-05:00

NECSA--NEC Student Association--doesn't exist this year (2006-07.) The proof: there was no annual welcome BBQ this year. To some that just means free food; to others, including myself, who have known NEC for a few years, this is yet another example of NEC at the service of the students. I should have saw it coming too--last year's end-of-school BBQ actually ran out of food after 30 minutes.

As for the non-existent NECSA, rumor has it that the student director stepped down from his position last year, he failed to notify the dean of students and other parties of NECSA's plan on the coming year. I wish I knew some more details.

You would think that NEC is doing well, especially with the captial campaign and good news in the press, but what kind of capital campaign deprives the students of social activites? NEC can't even get us burgers and dogs. At least we got an ice cream hour sponsored by Ben & Jerry's.

Summer... are you around?

2006-07-09T22:20:00.000-05:00

With school out of session my sanity has been somewhat restored. There are still outstanding balances though. For example, my history teacher from fall 2005 still hasn't returned my paper and all my E-mail inquiries seem to have been conveninently... "never received." On the flip side, rumor has it that the DMA warden* will be replaced very soon by one who might have a better chance and bringing balance to the force.

But why dwell on the past? It's summer and I was quite surprised to find out about some of the events that were taking place at NEC, not to mention some really good FREE concerts. The Boston GuitarFest 2006 with Eliot Fisk directing was a stunning event. Another program focused on contemporary music and presented some free concerts, one that featured compositions by Augusta Reed Thomas. Next week there's the flamenco institute, which should be fun, complete with dancer, guitar and percussion. Hot. No doubt, the school takes on a life of its own during the summer. Very cool!

I wonder if the students know about it though. True, many of us are gone but for those of us who are delighting in the smell of the roasting trash cans on Huntington Ave., the duck-loads of tourists or even just the plain old deserted party scene that is summer in Boston, NEC still has a good bit to offer.

To that I say, "gosh I wish NEC could communicate with the students through E-mail with simple updates about what still goes on in the building." Don't need any fancy HTML--plain text will be fine.

* I watched Shawshank Redemption recently and I can't help but compare and not contrast these two wardens.

A year in review.....

2006-05-16T09:26:00.000-05:00

At the end of every semester, my teacher likes to sit down and discuss the year behind us and make a plan for the year in front of us. It's a very useful conversation, usually filled with exciting new ideas and possibilities for the coming semester and perspective on things that didn't go as planned.

A lot of things didn't go as planned this year. I met a fantastic pianist who has an addiction to high notes and therefore desires to give many recitals with me, and we have a wonderful time collaborating on some fantastic repertoire. I went to New York, care of the Marilyn Horne Foundation, and sang on a masterclass with some of the best young singers across the country, and I got to meet the lady herself. I went to the Metropolitan Opera for the first time. I was admitted into my first summer program, and I'm going to be beating my head against Gilda for the next two months and I think it's going to be fantastic.

I also learned to prioritize my education. Since I entered school in 1984 (don't bother doing the math), my success in the classroom has been top priority. This has, almost always, been congruent with my personal pursuits, my career pursuits, and my goal-oriented sense of accomplishment. I'm a good student, I don't shy away from theory or musicology, and I enjoy a good challenge. In our year-end review, my teacher noted that this year had a lot to do with shifting my focus from my degree to my career. What does this mean, exactly?

It means that, while I will continue to tenaciously pursue the reform of the DMA, my happiness no longer depends upon it. I have made the decision to not allow this degree, its requirements, or its warden - I hesitate to use the term advisor - control my state of mind or my success. Whether or not I am considered an asset to the program is immaterial. When I graduate, I will be a walking and talking advertisement for NEC, and all of its parts. People will ask me about my experiences and, as most of our readers know, I am not one to shy away from telling the truth.

There is so much potential in this conservatory. So many resources untapped, so many faculty past their prime occupying the spaces that should be taken by young, vibrant musicians. So many old world philosophies that say "this is how we've always done it," philosophies that only hinder the progress of conservatory students. And so many possibilities for greatness. This is why we write the letters and have the meetings and get reputations as the squeaky wheel. Because the scholars and performers of the next generation deserve more, and NEC deserves the opportunity to take its place as one of the great music schools in the US. To shake the dust off the procedures and say, "we're an educational institution in the 21st century, and we have some serious music-making to do."

So that, my friends, is the year in review. This is not a spectator sport - your education is only truly yours if you've got skin in the game.

We're getting there

2006-04-30T14:16:00.000-05:00

"Not Enough Computers" -- We've all noticed the new terminals! The old CRT monitors--which don't fit in our spacially challenged NEC (or Boston, for that matter)--are slowly dying out. The flat screens are nice. Computer lab is great. Student lounge is much more usable. The E-mail terminals, recognizable by their anti-terrorism bomb shell and awkward keyboards are ok... I guess. Yea yea, more bandwidth would be nice too. Patience. And have faith.

There's no question NEC is concerned about providing some good technological doodads for us. Not sure who to thank but the important thing is, we're getting there! Get ready to cross off "Not Enough Computers"!

"No Ethernet Connection" -- According to rumor, well... it's only a rumor. Let's just say my hopes are up.

Bartok and Schoenberg

2006-04-28T23:38:00.000-05:00

You could tell that the students who performed the Bartok String Quartets 1, 2, 5 and Schoenberg "Transfigured Night" all new their pieces inside and out. They probably spent the whole semester looking at those works and were coached by (I'd really love to know how) the members of the Borromeo String Quartet. Perhaps one of the best concerts I've been to this year.

I couldn't help but think of the great divide between musicology and the actual making of music. These kids studied the heck out of these works and at the end of the semester presented us with an unforgetable concert (accompanied by solid program notes.) That is, I think, an example of a genuine and sincere form of schoarlship that is undervalued. Sadly, AMS would never accept that concert as a form of scholarship. They're missing out.

Damn good burger!

2006-04-21T20:36:00.000-05:00

I was skeptical. But I need to eat. A lot of the food just didn't look so great (though the All-Clad continues to steal the show.) Browsing the menu with a grim face I said to the friendly staff, "bacon and cheese. burger."

Dear Bistro 33, it was smashin'. I was very impressed by the texture of the meat, the combination of the bread and the veggies and the perfectly cooked patty. The pickle was nice too. Next time I'll just ask them to toast the bread just a tad more.

My credit card didn't mind the $3.19 either.

An unexpected battle

2006-04-12T09:23:00.000-05:00

Wireless internet is no where to be found on NEC's campus. (The new computers in Spaulding are cool even though we're still suffering from the same low-bandwith. We'll survive. ) A letter urging for the implementation of wireless access points at NEC was circulated last semester. Many faculty and staff were extremely supportive.

Resistance did come, but from an unexpected source. My peer(s). His reason, "you don't need internet to study classical music." True, but the world is much more than sleeping, practicing and playing. It's not his fault. This young fellow was an upper-classman who seems to be having a good time at NEC. Pardon me but I'd like to call this a form of brain-washing. Nemo stuck in the fish tank comes to mind somehow... though he was able to return to sea in the end.

Here's my take though: internet accessibility is something that all of us will need sooner than later and there isn't a better place for a young mind to start making that a part of his/her routine than in college. It's one of those things that is good for you, only, if you don't use it, you won't know.

New England Conservatory of Florida

2006-04-04T15:27:00.000-05:00

Every school has it--the popular teachers, the ones you remember even after many years, the ones you boast about when you think back on those days, the ones who's classes fill up faster than a good roadside burrito stand durning lunch hours. Mmm... burrito. Amen.

And then every school also has the teachers that everyone hates. They are boring, out-of-touch, conceited and ego-driven. You know, the ones that have been flushed so far down the stream of scholarly pursuit that they have unknowingly drowned in the oceanus academicus.

What is it? They are knowledgable. They have good resumes. They might have even contributed something substantial in their fields.

Do they want to help us? You hear one teacher complain about teaching in the hallway and in the office. According to herself, she's never prepared and wings most her classes with drivel about her favorite composer. That's helpful.

Where's the love? Consequently, they inspire no interest in the students who are, by force or madness or both, taking their classes.

Which leads me to believe that there is some kind of conspiracy.

There is foul play. Are we being required to take those classes to fill those seats so they can stay and get paid and to continue the cycle? How does an institution allow for those on top to stay on top if no one wanted them on top? Did someone say NEC meets Florida?

Scholarships

2006-03-23T02:01:00.000-05:00

This is touchy for all. However, we should all understand that the merit-based scholarship really has almost nothing to do with how good you are at your thing. Rather, we should scratch any pre-conception of the meaning of "merit" that we had. Once we're clear about that, we can all talk about it.

I recently spoke to a string player who was concerned about being able to return next year because he was only receiving 75% of scholarship. This undergraduate junior is receiving more than me (a lowly DMA specimen!) No, I'm not even getting 60%. The difference is, instead of complaining, I went out and interviewed for some jobs and took two of them.

Fine, no one said a doctoral student should get more than an undergraduate anyways. Of course, the idea that a doctoral student has to pay for school is unheard of in any other field but again, it's all about the merit.

Let's talk about standards

2006-03-20T11:42:00.000-05:00

My first DMA recital is in two weeks. It has been planned for about eight months now - before I knew I was transferring to NEC, I had already picked out the rep and begun to learn it - and my 'pre-recital' was last week.

Let me talk for a moment about how things go for the voice pre-recitals. You type up your program, you make ten copies and show up fifteen minutes early to sing in front of the voice faculty. You dress nice, you check the spellings and accents on all of your songs, and you choose your first piece. They can keep you for as long as fifteen minutes, picking various songs from your language groups. If everything is up to snuff, they pass you and you go on your way. But just before you leave, the chair says, "you can pick up your comments in the registrar's office later today."

I had a rather nasty case of bronchitis that really didn't make its departure until a few days ago, so I tried my best to sing as safely as possible without pushing my larynx into my eyeballs. I took my double-dose of cough medication, put on my nice sweater and pants and pointy-toed boots, did up the hair and the makeup, even put in my dreaded contact lenses. Where I come from, you wear dresses for auditions and recitals, but anything academic-oriented, you wear pants.

I would like to point out at this time that there is a voice department handbook that details the procedures for just about everything - promotionals, masters' auditions, program notes - everything except DMA information. There is no sheet stating what our repertoire is to cover, whether or not we're allowed to include opera arias, content, language, medium, instrumentalists, NOTHING. So I put together a recital that represented my languages, my styles, and showed off a lot of different things that I can do. And now for the focus of this post, the comments made by the faculty:

Two teachers said that I should 'show more attention to appropriate dress for a pre-recital.'

One teacher said that I should choose my repertoire more thoughtfully for a DMA recital.

And the rest of them thought my repertoire was wonderful and that I sang very well. These two teachers, whose comments were virtually illegible, chose to discuss standards of dress and repertoire.
First of all, what would indicate that this is a formal event when the faculty are wearing khakis, polo shirts and denim skirts?
Second of all, if you want women to wear dresses you should say so and then be prepared for my letter to the provost asking when this became the New England Conservatory of Fashion.
Third, why the hell does it matter if I was wearing pants? Can I sing? Am I ready to give this recital?
Fourth, if there are no standards published speaking to the content of my recital, it seems up to the intelligence and aptitude of the student and their teacher to determine content that is age, voice and artistically appropriate for the student.
Fifth, and finally, am I kicking that much ass that you have nothing to say about my singing and you are reduced to commenting on my attire? If so, then you need a thesaurus and I need a better scholarship.

If I had to pick one thing that drives me the most crazy about this institution it's the fact that very little is in print, leaving a great deal of leeway for every nabob to interpret exactly what they think these small phrases mean: appropriate repertoire, electives within their field of study, the list goes on. At what point in time will NEC hold its students and faculty to standards - published and defined - and realize that it is only through standards that you are able to measure the greatness of your students and the levels at which they achieve? When will NEC come out from behind its reputation and really take a position as a conservatory in the 21st century?

First Monday

2006-03-06T23:08:00.000-05:00

Beethoven was cool of course but those Beaser "Mountain Songs" performed by Eliot Fisk and Paula Robison were absolutely ridiculous. I didn't know a guitar could do half those things and had no idea a guitar and flute could come together so beautifully and harmoniously. Yet another wonderful evening. Dazzled.

Darryl Harper's concert--clarinet and beyond

2006-03-02T23:40:00.000-05:00

I thought it was totally cool. This is congruent with my vision for music--this kind of inter-disciplinary collaboration has to be good for NEC and the future of music. I think it's time the school be a bit more proactive about alternate venues for music making. We need to start some kind of communication lines up with the schools like MassArt, School of the MFA, or New England Institute of Art. There must be tons of work waiting to be done by collaborating artists. (I don't suppose we need more musicians but if we could reach out to Berklee, TBC, BU and Longy that would be the beginning of something really cool too.) Or, at least, we could all hang out at a hip joint and reenact that salon culture of the 19th c. where artists, writers and musicians chilled.

Lesser and the Bach suites

2006-02-22T00:45:00.000-05:00

Yum. If I have anything bad to say about NEC today I don't remember it. The concert was beautiful. My lesson was amazing as well. Long day but it ended so well. That's what was up at the conservatory today for me anyways.

I learned something incredible today at the concert. The mysterious sarabande of the 5th cello suite has a cousin in the 'Et incarnatus est' of the great B-minor mass. The semblance is unmistakable and both absolutely gorgeous.

Always look on the bright side of the pitch

2006-02-20T11:22:00.000-05:00

Today is a holiday for the New England Conservatory, which to most of us means a free practice day. I've just finished two hours in a sunny (and very reverberant) practice room, and this compels me to say something nice about NEC today.

I love my Mozart class. Dexter Edge is a kick ass teacher and every time I go to his class, I'm always amazed when two hours goes by and not only does he still have more to say, I don't want to leave. It's a music history class on Mozart's operas, so granted, my point of view is a bit biased, but I find it wonderful that an adjunct professor who is probably trying to finish his book takes the time to put together two plus hours of information that is applicable not only to the singers in the class, but the instrumentalists, musicologists, and composers. The assignments, though time-consuming, are always enjoyable. I never find myself listening to a second-rate recording of some less-than-stellar work, the articles are actually interesting, and I ask myself, why can't all of my classes be like this?

I had the pleasure of studying musicology with a wonderful French harpsichordist who had a great sense of humor, always made me a cup of tea when I came to his office, and mercilessly edited my work. He always fostered my ideas, encouraged me to have my own trains of thought and, despite my chosen vocation of singing, pushed me to try publishing my articles.
I studied German with a professor who had an affinity for singers, so he wanted our spoken German to be as clean as our singing German. He wanted us to be able to use our language skills in multiple ways, so he made extra hand-outs of musicology terms in German. Reading the article in the original language is usually more interesting than reading a shoddy English translation.

So why is it that, at one of the (purportedly) foremost conservatories on the eastern seaboard, only one of my classes makes me eager to show up? And in response to an earlier post regarding liberal arts educators, I ask why can't we have the most enthusiastic professors of all areas - liberal and fine arts alike? Wouldn't it be best of all possible worlds if a literature professor challenged our minds about poetry and fiction while another challenged us to seek out higher musicianship?

That said, I'm going to work on my Mozart paper. My best to my colleagues on this sunny day. May your German be well-enunciated, your musicology articles without flaw, and your thirds tuned high.

Had a hard time registering for classes?

2006-02-19T23:19:00.000-05:00

During registration week (yes, a few weeks ago) I overheard a teacher say to some of the office staff:

"Don't you think we should have offered one more liberal arts class this semester? You see so much anxiety because it's not about getting the class you want to take but just getting into a class. You look at the list of closed courses and there really isn't anything you can enroll in. We have Ph.D. adjuncts in musicology. How hard can it be to find someone with a liberal arts degree to teach here?"

A staff member replied, "There have got to be smart people out there who are good teachers who would like to have an extra thing on their resume."

The conversation sparked my interest and, lucky for me, I happened to be with some form of pen and paper. But the party broke up and some went to get coffee while others went back to work.

Back to the point: this is hardly the first time students have had trouble finding courses suited to their schedules and interests. The registrar's and advisor's suggestions of "make an appointment and register ASAP" can only do so much. With all the money we are paying it would be nice to have great lessons, chamber music coachings, opera scenes as well as some cool classes.

Yes, you can major in jazz, but...

2006-02-18T00:41:00.000-05:00

And they are so proud of it. They'll tell you, sooner or later, that New England Conservatory was the first conservatory in the U.S. to offer a jazz department. (Translation: take that, Julliard!) But what do jazzers get for coming here? The school is run by classical people who have no idea what to do with jazz. Programs in jazz are offered more as a convenience; the infrastructure does nothing to cater to a jazz musician's talents and skills.

Take the history exam for example. The Masters History exam asks the student to prepare three topics on which s/he will write about during the exam. The three topics must be stylistically distinct. In classical terms, that means writing about Monteverdi, Verdi or Stravinsky. That's about 300 years in between. If you're going to write about jazz, the same might apply: you better find some music people were jammin' to in 1750, 1850 and 1950, otherwise, your topics will be rejected. Welcome to NEC wannabe jazz school.

Should she be teaching?

2006-02-15T21:18:00.000-05:00

Every school has it. Students. Dumb ones.

But you can't do anything about them, except fail them (if you're the professor) or hope they fail (if you care about them.) That was easy.

What happens when dumb teachers get hired though? So they got the gig at New England Conservatory. Whoopee. There needs to be a way for us to get them out of here. You and I remember a teacher that was adored by all. NEC has a few of them: John Heiss is the first to come to mind; ask anyone--if there's an elective that is always full and over-the-limit, it's one of Heiss's classes.

NEC does carry more mediocre teachers than great ones though. We all know who they are. NECSA (New England Conservatory Student Association) should draft a friendly survey to find out who the worst teacher is. Then, we can start to do something about it.

What a beautiful concert

2006-02-15T00:05:00.000-05:00

Homage to Schoenberg. "Transfigured Night" was phenomenal. Life as a music student does have ups. Moments like this remind us of why we are here and why we are able to put up with with crap at the Conservatory. To spend 30 minutes in communion with the masters is incredibly revitalizing. The Parker Quartet (and the wonderful guests) is doing just fine, it seems. For them, talent, opportunity and (no way!) a future have converged. I wish each of them the best from my heart.

But what of the rest of us? Look at some of the graduating seniors. Many are scared to think about what they will do with their shiny Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory. So scared, they come back for a Masters and put up with more crap, more rising tuition, more funding cuts and more outrageous rents. As if four years wasn't enough, we decided to extend our stay by another 2 (or more!) years. But all for moments like the 30 minutes that those in Jordan Hall experienced tonight.

The things we give for music! Time, money, energy, our hearts, our souls, our minds... For a person in his/her 20's, that's pretty much everything. What a bargain!

Historical highlights at New England Conservatory

2006-02-10T20:05:00.000-05:00

Founded in 1867. The history of New England Conservatory has been nobly written by generations of students.

NEC -- Not Exactly College
Perhaps the one truth that binds most of us. While most of us seem to understand what "conservatory" means, the part about "higher education" remains, to a large extent, a mystery. Of course, this is the path we have chosen, and when we graduate we will have no idea what to do, unless it's staying around to get a Grad Diploma.

NEC -- Not Enough Cash
Most schools are underfunded and go over budget anyways, so what's not to love? One should wonder how the "merit-based scholarship" is awarded. Let's stop kidding ourselves. Money (and power) is controlled by a few. One lady is a cross between Dick Cheney and Al Qaeda; one guy is Duhbuya. And yes, both are on good terms with each other. (Not that good, thank god.) You need to be good and you need to play the right instrument.

NEC -- Not Enough Cellos
There was a time when too many cellists roamed the conservatory. Cellists are lovely people but it's nice that we've moved beyond that point. To be fair, this school has a fair number of rockin' studios.

NEC -- No Ethernet Connection
None. Not even in the dorms. Way to make a statement. No Wi-Fi either. Strong. If you're picking up a signal you're probably stealing it.

Boston VS NEC

2006-02-10T00:44:00.000-05:00

Tom Menino has announced his ambitious plan to have Boston WiFi-ed up within 4 years. 2010 sounds a bit far from today but is it really that far? What will wireless technology be like in 4 years? But the main issue here is, who will get unwired first, NEC or Boston? It could be a tight race folks, even if the city runs up against some delays and over-budgets, since NEC is very familiar with both of those problems too.

Welcome to What's Up!

2006-02-08T21:04:00.000-05:00

First, why couldn't we just have abbreviated? "NEC" is endearing, isn't it? Yes, but Google will dig up other things before it finds the Conservatory you're looking for. By typing a few extra letters we avoid any possible confusion. Think of it as upholding a tradition of spelling everything out on the Web. It just wouldn't be the same if you had to go to nec.blogspot.com instead. You'll thank us for it.