EmilySmith0124's Blog

Jury Season!

Emily Smith — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:18:02 +0000

With all the excitement of going home for Thanksgiving comes the loom of juries when we return. Most of my practice lately has been focused on preparing for both my piano jury and my vocal jury. I have to have 4 pieces I’ve learned memorized and ready to be scrutinized the week after we return from break. I’m really glad I’ve gotten started early because I’ll have given myself ample time to prepare myself. I think I’ll be better able to handle myself in a calm and collected manner. It seems like my “break” won’t really be much of a break after all, though. I have a paper, an exam to study for, and juries to prepare for. Ahh the life of a college student…it never gets old..

two hours later..

Emily Smith — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:10:38 +0000

so I’m thinking that maybe locking myself in a practice room for two hours straight is probably not the best idea in the world. Whew am I tired! I tried to break it up between piano and voice so I wouldn’t get stuck in one strain for too long. I feel like I got a lot of work in in the first hour and a half but the last half hour was not very productive at all. I think I just got too tired and distracted by the end of it. I’m definitely going to take a much deserved break. On the plus side, I got one of the top grades in my class on my Theory exam. I’m so relieved that all of the studying I did didn’t go to waste!

hmmm…how about a nice nap to celebrate? =)

Divy it up!

Emily Smith — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:39:06 +0000

Had a great lesson yesterday! All the extra practice last week really seemed to pay off. Professor Coburn said she could really tell that I put some effort in. I’ve found that if I divide my workload evenly at the beginning of the week and set daily goals for myself, I always get the most work in the most efficient manner. I’ve also set aside a scheduled hour and a half each day to ensure that I will at least have that time to get some work in. The practices themselves have had their ups and downs as should be expected. When I get frustrated, I’ve learned to move on and not dwell on it. I get so much more work done that way. Studio class was cancelled tonight so I’ll have some extra time. Professor Coburn wants more work on “Nuit de Toilles”, “Togglietemi la Vita”, and “Even” and also wants me to learn a Don Pasquale aria and two Bach oratorio pieces. Its a lot of work (plus a piano exam this week) but I’ve already got my schedule set… Time for class=)

ugh

Emily Smith — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:50:18 +0000

just got my seminar test back…ugh…I study so hard and I always seem to get average grades! (87% which isn’t bad, but for the amount of studying I did, I would have liked something a little higher). I just don’t get it! It always seems that no matter how hard I work, I seem to come up just short of something really worthwhile. I’m trying as hard as I can to do everything I need to do to achieve my goals, but I can’t help but feel like I will always be sub-par. I am seeing slight improvements within myself, but it doesn’t really matter if it never adds up in the big picture…ugh just a little frustrated right now..

Time for my coaching…thank goodness its finally friday..

Arts Fest

Emily Smith — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:50:03 +0000

Well its Thursday and I haven’t had much to blog about since Monday. It’s been a pretty basic week (which I am really excited about – no stresses or surprises!) Now that I’ve gotten time management down to a science (my daily schedule has been soooo helpful), I’ve been able to take more time to enjoy DePauw and all it has to offer. This week, for instance, DPU hosted Arts Fest giving me multiple opportunities every evening to see plays, concerts, and art displays. Its been so cool to get out of my little bubble and experience little snippets of various cultures and their own artistic expressions.

Piano quiz today..will write more later =)

Monday!

Emily Smith — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:05:37 +0000

always so busy! I’m getting so much better at managing my time in a more healthful way though. As I get more settled in my new environment, it is easier for me to know my limits and not push myself too hard. Though most of my day is in a pretty tight schedule, I’m now able to optimize my time more efficiently and without as much emotional and physical strain. This has paid off big time in the long run! Because I’m not so run down, I can practice and study so much more productively. It has made such an unbelievable difference.

Placed 3rd at NATS this weekend! It was such an amazing opportunity to experience many talented college students and get feedback from such knowledgeable and experienced judges. Pam was so proud and happy for me but she is ready to prepare me for my next musical embarture. I spent all weekend learning 5 new pieces for my lesson today. They are so gorgeous! I can really start to tell how my classes have begun to form me into a more complete musician. Learning all of those pieces from scratch, what should have taken me at least a week to do, took me a few hours over the span of three days. All this frustration has really paid off! Though I still have a long way to go, I’m excited to see that my work is finally getting me somehwere.

All right, another week! hopefully this one goes well! =)

moving on

Emily Smith — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:03:12 +0000

yesterday was a really good day! I really just need to take a breath and chill out sometimes! I got a full grasp on my NATS pieces and feel really comfortable with them. I also got a better handle on some theory concepts that seemed to be waay over my head. I took it upon myself to start doing little 20 minute study sessions while I get ready in the morning. I made little flash cards of information and concepts that should be second nature to me as a musician (but aren’t!). With these concepts a little more second nature to me, I won’t struggle as much with more difficult theories…Late to class!! today is friday! woo!

…

Emily Smith — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:07:00 +0000

ok so I know I said I wasn’t going to get down on myself as much any more..but its really hard! once again, I feel completely and utterly inadequate. Orlando had to take over an hour out of his personal time to explain what should be basic concepts to me (thank goodness for him!). It’s just so frustrating because I don’t have enough time in the day to healthfully fit in everything I need to do in order to be the best I can be. Unlike a lot of students here, I need almost an hour each day for each concept (thats without all of homework and studying and most importantly, personal practice). This is how I got so run down before fall break. I’ve done all I can do for today though…I’m just going to get some sleep and go at it tomorrow..

Back to work

Emily Smith — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:55:18 +0000

Back from fall break and life is just as crazy as it was before I left! I’m so thankful for the time I had over break to relax and regroup. I feel so much more refreshed and ready to take on my goals now that I’ve had that time. My lesson yesterday was so great! Pam couldn’t believe how much I improved and settled within my sound in just a week. By taking time to take care of myself, I actually did more for my instrument than by drilling technique and musicality for hours on end. Although I enjoyed time away from DePauw (and some much needed sleep) I really missed my life here. I couldn’t help but wake up everyday and try to plan out my practice regimen for the day. Though I did try to get some work done, I found that it was so hard to focus outside of my little white box of a practice room here. I was so pumped for break because I had all this extra time to get some extra work and practice in outside of classes. Once I got home, though, my focus and drive completely switched. I reverted back to high-school Emily – all the dreams in the world, but no work ethic to actually grasp them. Fall Break was a big reminder of where I’ve been and the growth I’ve made since. In a few short weeks, I have truly been able to grow into myself and start to become the person I’ve always been meant to be. DePauw is shaping me in more ways than I will ever know. I am more happy with my decision to come here as the days go by.

Now to get back to work! =)

nightie night!

Emily Smith — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:26:31 +0000

Just got back from yet another late night practice session…this one was actually productive today! I decided I was going to take it easy and not stress on the big stuff tonight. I focused on the little things that could be easily altered and am now going to bed (early I might add) satisfied with the work that I have accomplished. The long-term goals are still tossing in my head, but I can’t keep stressing myself out like this. Instead, I’m going to get a healthy nights’ sleep and continue working tomorrow. Sweet Dreams!