Of course, at each of those events, I was also talking to lots of people about the Department of Theatre at the U of U. Technically, I guess those conversations would be classified as "recruiting," though I've never liked that word. I've seen lots of people recruit by bragging incessantly about their programs. I've seen other people recruit by disparaging every program but their own. I don't like to do either of those things.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to talk about our programs, our faculty, and especially our students. I'm both proud and humbled to be part of this department, so it's the easiest thing in the world to talk about it. But I don't think it's my job to convince people that they should want to join our program. Instead, I try to give potential students an honest, realistic picture of what we do and how we do it. Then, they can make an informed decision about whether what we have to offer is what they are looking for.
Although we're not a perfect program (no program is), I believe strongly in what we do and I am convinced that we do it well. I also believe that—despite being a good program—we are not the right program for everyone. And when we are not the right fit for students, I am the first to encourage them to choose a different school—and I wish them great success in that decision.
In my opinion, students should choose to attend a school where they will be challenged but supported, nurtured but not coddled, and encouraged to take risks without being unnecessarily overwhelmed. I also believe they should choose a school that will support and encourage their development into mature, kind, compassionate human beings.
At the U, sometimes we meet these ideals and sometimes we fall short. But recruiting season is always a good reminder to me to keep working to provide the education you all deserve. After all, when our students receive a quality education that prepares them for both a career as well as the challenges of life, that is the best advertisement and recruiting tool we have.
How has your singing been this week? One month in, do you have to make any adjustments to your goals or your practice schedule?
Now go practice.
Let me say one thing, setting down a practice schedule is soooooooo nice and I totally underestimated how much I needed it last semester and this semester. I'm a naturally lazy person, so if I don't set time aside to do something, I will not do it. It's very bad of me and I'm trying to get better, but I find that my practicing has been a bit lacking due to that. I mean, I still practice, but it's halfhearted because I'm usually distracted by the thought of chicken nuggets I could be eating at that moment. But now that I have a set schedule of when I can and will practice, hopefully more work and improvements can be made. I don't think any of my goals that I had/have need to be adjusted much... I think getting a schedule together for myself was much needed, so thank youuuuu.
ReplyDeleteI’m so glad I started this blogpost early, because it made me realize that I had forgotten to send you my practice schedule - you should find it in your email now... This week has been wild right at the beginning of audition singing. It’s been nice revisiting reliable and solid material in my book, while also learning new material for callbacks and using the skills I have to quickly prepare myself for those types of auditions. It’s taken a bit of time away from the material for this semester, but now that I have job security, auditions will slow down and I will get to return to my new material!
ReplyDeleteIt’s so exciting having you represent the department at so many fun events! I was at UTA myself and it is awesome to see a new generation of students excited to work toward expanding their talents and education in the arts.
So far this week has been really nice and smooth for me. I've been warming up and doing a lot more warmup exercises to help get me more prepared for the actual practicing later in the day. It has been nice to warm up again because I forgot how big of an effect it has on your voice compared to when you just start singing some point in the day. I finished the schedule and will bring that to you on Friday for our lesson. I'm really looking forward to working with you and excited to see what music you give me that best fits my vocal range and style. Been practicing random songs that I like to sing and that don't stretch my voice too much. See yo Friday!
ReplyDeleteI should mention this is Connor Mamaux-Partridge
DeleteOne month in and everything is running smoothly so far! I do know now that as rehearsals start to loom around the corner, I am going to have to make some changes to my schedule once they start up this month. But right now, I am very happy with the times I have set aside to practice in.
ReplyDeleteSinging this week has gone well, its always so nice when you're healthy and your voice is cooperating and everything feels pretty solid. I'm definitely looking at a lot of lyrics this week and making sure I have the rhythms before I start trying to put everything together too quickly.
As far as programs go, I’m really glad a chose to go with the U. Not only is it close to home (a ten-minute drive), but I think it really offers what I need. At this point in time, I believe my dancing to be my weakest point as a performer so I’m really glad I’ll be doing it every morning for the next three and a half years.
ReplyDeleteAfter this first month, I don’t think my goals need amending because, while I’m making progress, I still haven’t reached them. I’m just starting to discover my belt which means I’m just beginning the process of learning how to mix that in with everything else. I can tell I’m getting there but I’ve still got a ways to go.
I had a little bit of a set back with my phone breaking and not being able to have my new music. But I did make a discovery with body mapping for me specifically. I have been trying so hard to use body mapping to get my body in line for proper support but with doing so I find myself over correcting and putting myself out of line the opposite way. I have discovered that when i'm in line that there is an obvious difference in my vocal quality.
ReplyDeleteComing back from winter break was pretty tough for some reason - all of my responsibilities just kind of hit me like a wrecking ball all at once. My singing practice has been decent and I have the majority of my jury songs selected for this semester, which is a relief. Unfortunately in this past week I experienced a quad strain and minor MCL tear in my knee, and then a day later I was diagnosed with the flu! Double whammy. I think the gods above are trying to tell me to take a step back and take care of myself for a little bit, which is hard for me to do because I'm all "go go go" all of the time and have a restless personality. I feel like my voice is starting to sit in a good place as I am working out the kinks. I would say what is most challenging for me is letting go of my fear and anxiety and learning to trust myself more.
ReplyDeleteSinging this week went well and I was roughly able to follow the schedule I set for myself. I still tend to push off my practice sessions because I deem them as less important to other things that have a start and finish (compared to practicing that compounds into improvement). So I am learning to stay accountable to my own practice times. Sometimes I get to a practice room and want another two hours after I've finished and other times I'm at the piano for ten minutes with no motivation -- so I shuffle my day around so that I am at my best when I practice so I get the most out of my time.
ReplyDelete-Niko Krieger
I love what you said about no program being perfect and how each program might not be right for everyone, I found that Weber's program was not right for me so I am glad that I am so supported here having come from somewhere else. My practice this week has been very regimented. I have almost every hour of the day clocked and I am very strict about keeping my practice hour intact. I am finding that if I am overwhelmed or stressed and I need to take a minute for myself something has to go (In the past it has been practicing). But this semester the few times my day hasn't gone perfectly to schedule, I have always prioritized practicing before the gym, homework, cleaning my house, or whatever errand I have to do. I really want to make strides this semester and that wont happen unless I'm really motivated.
ReplyDeleteOne month into the MTP, and I am feeling right at home more and more as the days go by. The people are friendly, the instructors are AMAZING, and I am positive that this program will help improve my acting, singing, and dancing over the next three and a half years. Over the past week, I had just introduced my new practice schedule into my life, and so far, there hasn't been too many problems with it. Sometimes, other things that I need to do pop up, which means that I move my practicing times around a little bit. I feel that sometimes that is okay, but other times, I need to start prioritizing my practicing times. This week, I got all of my new music, so my goal was to familiarize myself with the music and learn it as best as I could. I cannot wait to work on these songs in my voice lessons, so they can be in the best shape that they can be in!
ReplyDeleteSinging this week has been good for the most part. I am avidly tying to keep my voice healthy and not get sick. As for "recruiting" I completely agree. One thing I learned when auditioning for programs is that there is no top school or schools, there is not any program that is perfect for everyone. For all my friends from high school who ask about the U's program, It really hard for me to not go on a tangent about all the things I love about it, but I do finish my statement by saying that it is the right fight for me. I also feel that each program is technically doing the same thing, just with differing approaches that work better for some. Their is a program out there for everyone, It isn't anyones place to put down any other program to make their's appear better.
ReplyDelete-Caden Tudor
Singing this week has been a little rough, if I'm honest. I've been pretty sick in the past week and I've been trying to maintain my practice pattern while also trying not to strain my voice. But aside from getting sick, I have been loving my process and my lessons! I'm feeling very strongly about my song, and I look forward to practicing each day. It's been so nice to have a set schedule to stick to. Additionally, I love the notes you made about recruiting. I considered many different colleges when I was applying after high school, but I felt a very strong connection to the U. We have such amazing professors and I've loved every minute of it so far.
ReplyDeleteFrom Mason Duncan:
ReplyDeleteSinging has been pretty rough this week: I’ve had the Flu. But I’ve managed not to let it be a complete loss with things like non-verbal practice.
It’s nice to read a post about recruitment. My summer job is as a recruiter for a logistics company, and so I read a lot of resumes and conduct what seems like a million interviews. Part of what makes recruiting great is the idea of mutual benificiancy, that the institution and individual are both going to benefit from each other. The idea of mutual gain is strong in university’s of Utah MTP. And I have a lot of pride for this program.
Though I know I am commenting on this pretty late I still want to talk about this certain post. When I decided on auditioning for the ATP program I met Professor Manetnach at UTA. I had no idea he would eventually be my singing coach and friend. I remember asking questions about the program and simple questions on singing. One year later I find myself deeply in love with this program and environment. Honesty is the best receruiter and I believe that.
ReplyDelete