As some of you know, I currently work as a scientist researching using artificial intelligence to infer models. However, about a year ago, I decided to give it up to become a professional singer. Towards that end, I decided to do a bachelor of music. I realize this is not required to become a professional musician; however, it will help me with my specific goals.
Well, after much improvement this past year, my audition is finally here. More precisely it is in two weeks. I’m super excited! I feel 99.9999999… repeating of course (of course)% ready. I will be singing “Ave Maria” in German, and “Go the Distance”. I have two vocal coaches, one for classical voice and the other for all-around singing. Both of my coaches on hearing the news of the audition have said that I’m ready, and both have said they honestly thought it was impossible at first. They cannot believe the level of improvement this past year. My classical coach says I can effortlessly switch from classical voice to folk voice to metal voice, and I should highlight that at the audition. My other coach said she’s never met anybody as dedicated to improvement. Sure does boost the ol’ confidence. I asked my colleague at university (a music professor) to listen to me again as a check against relying on the opinion of friends and people I pay. He said, “Are you sure you don’t want to apply here? A year ago, you were not ready. You are far beyond being ready, while still having a lot to learn. You should apply here.”
What type of school is it? Is it one with a good contemporary music school as well as a good classical music school? Most I can think of focus on one or the other, so your audition has me curious. “Show the Distance” also works well as a Broadway style piece, too, and so maybe it’s a music school with a good drama school.
Anyways, good luck. A bachelor in music can take a bit. At least, mine took so long that all my gen-ed requirements had to be spaced out though my later years just to fit in all the required music classes. They build on each other, so you can’t take them all at once.
That said, don’t feel like you have to actually get your degree to make a career out of singing, either. A lot of my classmates dropped out but are doing very well for themselves.
I’ve selected this school because they’re very open in terms of genre compared to nearly every other school in Canada that is either a classical conservatory or a jazz focused. The other school to which I’m applying is Dalhousie University, but I prefer Carleton.
Other aspects of Carleton that make it good for me. It is small. They take about 30 students a year. They focus on allowing a student to explore their musicality. The program is still robust for a potential singer/songwriter.
I fully recognize I do not need a degree to become a singer. There are other factors in play that make the B.Mus valuable. For example, I plan to add music to my research program, as such I can get much of my degree paid for. Also, I really need a lot of education in composition and music theory (I have none). Plus, I’m burnt out and a 4-year vacation sounds nice.
I will be singing “Ave Maria” in German, and “Go the Distance”. I have two vocal coaches, one for classical voice and the other for all-around singing. Both of my coaches on hearing the news of the audition have said that I’m ready, and both have said they honestly thought it was impossible at first. They cannot believe the level of improvement this past year. My classical coach says I can effortlessly switch from classical voice to folk voice to metal voice, and I should highlight that at the audition. My other coach said she’s never met anybody as dedicated to improvement. Sure does boost the ol’ confidence. I asked my colleague at university (a music professor) to listen to me again as a check against relying on the opinion of friends and people I pay. He said, “Are you sure you don’t want to apply here? A year ago, you were not ready. You are far beyond being ready, while still having a lot to learn. You should apply here.”
