 "Photo: N/A")
If you see some senior music majors looking stressed-out and lugging around their instruments this month, you should offer a hand and wish them good luck. The talented musicians are preparing for their senior recitals, which take place throughout the school year, but are most commonly performed in these final weeks of the semester.
“It really is a thesis, just not written down,” explained pianist Jeremy Shiman ’10, a music and mathematics double major. The recitals are a culmination of all the years the students have spent practicing their art.
For a recital that lasts an average of an hour, the student musicians prepare far in advance. Violinist Laura Sousa ’10 began practicing her program a year ago. She said, “Now is usually crunch time the few weeks before.” Shiman, who will perform April 17 at 4 p.m., practices more than four hours every day. Pianist Brian Kim ’10 is putting serious time into final preparations for his show, also at 4 p.m. on April 24: “Lately, I have been practicing five to six hours a day in order to prepare for my recital. I’m in the music building over 20 hours a week.” Clarinetist Alex Linsalata ’10 and violinist Sarah Goldfeather ’10 even stayed at Vassar over Spring Break to practice for their respective recitals.
Similar to the idea of the senior project in the Drama Department, the recital shows off a student’s accomplishment in his or her art. “You are playing what you’re best at, at your very best,” summarized Sousa, who majors in both music and psychology. For this reason, the process can be nerve-wracking.
“Often the pressure of performing before a large audience brings out their best work,” said Professor of Music Todd Crow, who will accompany several recitals on piano. “Students performing senior recitals are usually extremely well prepared so that they aren’t so much nervous as they are excited about wanting to do their best.”
Sousa even appreciates the pre-show butterflies. “You always get nervous,” she said. “I think it’s a good thing. I never want to not be nervous or excited. It would lose its importance. It’s just most important to keep it all under control.”
Many of the performers feel more prepared for the recital because they have had previous experience performing with the spotlight focused on them. Sousa and Shiman both had junior recitals last year, which are less common. Kim even had a sophomore recital. But some musicians with less solo experience are feeling the pressure: “I’ve never done something this intense,” said Linsalata. He explained that even solo pieces in an orchestra can be nerve-wracking, with unexpected results. “There are times, let’s say, we’re playing a big piece. Then my solo comes, and everyone stops suddenly—you naturally want to play lighter. It shouldn’t surprise you, but it does, every time.” Now that the focus is on them, the Vassar musicians notice a clear difference. Soprano singer Lauren Sherman ’10 said, “There is definitely a difference performing alone or in group. I used to do a lot of musical theater and choral singing. In a group you have to be aware of blending, being part of the whole. Alone, you focus only on yourself.”
With so much attention, a lot can go wrong. Some of the musicians shared their embarrassing performance moments. Shiman said he completely botched the beginning of his recital last year and had to start over. Sousa, who won Vassar’s solo competition last October, described a moment in her packed violin performance—attended by Lisa Kudrow ’85—that gave her “a heart attack and a half.” Her shoulder rest fell to the ground right as she was about to perform, when all of the attention was focused on her, and she had to fumble quickly to put it back on as everyone watched. Shiman insisted that any musician who claims they never screwed up live is lying.
Those who applied to graduate school for music said the senior recital will be enjoyable, especially when compared with auditions. “I’ve definitely screwed up before, especially in auditions. I recently did some for graduate school. Those aren’t my best because it’s a lot of pressure,” said Sherman.
Sousa, who just got accepted to Boston University’s graduate music program, agreed. “Graduate school auditions are a lot more nerve-wracking. Instead of saying ‘Here’s what I can do’ [as in a recital], you’re saying ‘I think I can do this,’” she explained. She emphasized that performing in front of friends and family will be much more palatable than to the stony-faced admissions judges.
Several of the students holding senior recitals are not sure they want to pursue music as a career. Sherman applied to both choral music and psychology programs, while fellow psychology major Sousa applied to both music and law school, and has yet to decide her path. She explained that the life of a musician is too unpredictable, but admitted, “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.” Shiman, Kim and Linsalata are going to pursue different fields for the time being. Kim, who is applying to business school, said the life of a pianist is too busy and uncertain for his liking: “To become a concert pianist, I must constantly be practicing and traveling, which leaves little time for anything else, including my family and hobbies.” All of the musicians claimed that without a doubt they will continue to play in the future, if only for pleasure or in community orchestras.
Whether or not they continue consistently playing their instruments, the Vassar musicians will always have a great personal connection to their instruments of choice. Linsalata started playing the clarinet at age eight when his doctor suggested it would help with his asthma. Sousa, who started playing the violin at the age of five, said it is “by far one of the most intimate instruments, and one of the easiest to instantly connect to.” Singer Sherman loves “the history, the stories, the theory” of opera and added, “It’s such a rich experience singing with that knowledge.” Shiman, who was encouraged to choose an instrument at age eight by his parents, said it is a great emotional outlet for him. He explained, “Whenever I’m having a bad day, I just sit down and get lost in the music—remove myself enough so I can think everything through.”
The recitals themselves vary widely by student and piece. Sherman sang classical opera as well as a contemporary avant-garde piece by George Crumb. Sousa will perform many different styles, including a modern Romanian folk dance by Bela Bartok and a Spanish composition which, she laughs, “my teacher described as ‘romantic and sensual.’” Shiman will perform mostly Romantic period pieces, while Linsalata will cover everything from the “ethereal” to the “flashy and fun.” “I have ones meant almost especially to be crowd pleasers,” he assured.
The senior music majors explained that their performances will be very important to them. Shiman said, “It’s a combination of not just four years of practice at Vassar but however long you’ve been playing the instrument.” They also insisted their recitals would not be the same without listeners. Linsalata said, “We are students who are all part of the Vassar community, and it’s important to show support.” Kim added, “It is always exciting to see peers succeed in an environment that is outside of the classroom.” Shiman convincingly concluded, “At a basic level, the more bodies there are in the hall, the more fun it is for the audience and the performer.”
Be the first to comment on this article!