By: Lindsay Deutsch

Appeared in Strings Magazine November, 2007

For most of us, the whole college experience can prove to be a daunting one. Drawing from some of my own personal experiences, I will share with you some of the “hard knock” lessons that I have learned. OK Let’s get real!

Real Disappearing Act

Amazing as it would seem, not all music schools are going to be thrilled with students embarking on performing careers while still studying.   Some schools will view these “world travelers” simply as problem students. You’re probably wondering - why would this be?

Well, suppose you’re off at a performance or competition during finals week, and have to request permission to take your exams late. Your school peers may feel slighted and may begin to vocalize that they would also like more time to study.

Or perhaps your gallivanting ways leave your chamber group at school in a bind. They can’t rehearse without you, and your coach is breathing down their necks. You’re gone without a trace, and the cell number you left with the school rings the “Fandango Movie Times Hotline”. (Whoops – My bad!)

The absolute best and real way to avoid these kinds of complications is to discuss your plans with both your teacher and the administration before choosing a school. Make sure your goals are compatible with the school’s goals for you, and everyone will be happier in the long run.

Real Impressions

Don’t give the impression that playing your instrument well is more important than your classes. This attitude is not at all well received by academic teachers or school administrators. Take it from me; you do not want to learn this one the hard way.  Often, conservatory students forget that although playing our instruments well, and getting in good practice time is first on our list, the “powers that be” at our school have their own lists for us. To our theory teachers, theory is most important, to the conductor of the school orchestra, orchestra is most important, (and to the school librarian, collecting late fee payments is most important.) Although you may not realize it at the time, it is the collective efforts of all our teachers and coaches that shape us into the musicians that we become.

Real Balancing Act

It’s not easy juggling a concert schedule and a full school load! The stress of performing well onstage, coupled with the stress of performing well in school, is a lot for any student to handle – especially if you are living away from home for the first time as well.

Even if you’re insanely busy, there are some key things that all students must do in order to lead a healthy, balanced life.  Topping the “must do” list are eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising, and remembering to have fun. Everyone knows that these things are important, but implementing them is often easier said than done.

• A tip from someone with first hand experience: If you are too busy to eat solid food, and primarily grab Jamba-Juice on the go, something is wrong.

Meals were meant to be chewed! Straws still give me the creeps to this day.  If you ever find yourself on a liquid-only diet, you need to get real and talk to someone at your school about the different options that may be available to you. Some of these may include completing your degree in a longer amount of time, switching degree programs, or having your school create a program tailored specifically for your needs. The latter worked especially well for me!

Real Experience

Don’t get too comfortable within the confines of the conservatory bubble or you may never build the tools necessary to break out. A career in music does not magically fall into your lap the day after graduation. Building a performing career is a long process that spans many years. Use the time while you’re still in school to make important musical contacts, gain performing experience, get used to traveling, learn how to work well with conductors and other professional musicians, and develop a concert day routine that works for you. It is important to find a music school where there is an emphasis on raising good performers as well as good musicians.

Real Support

Having a support system is the real key to success. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a small army to help a music student launch a career. One’s support system can include parents, siblings, teachers, school counselors, and any interested parties you meet along the way who believe in you and your talent. There is simply too much involved in attempting to build a career for the burden to fall all on one person’s shoulders. The power of a creative team who is there for you, and personally invested in your success cannot be stressed enough.

Feel free to reprint this article. Have a question or comment? - email LindsayDeutsch@aol.com