So, starting a year or so ago, I started being very driven in my goal of going to graduate school in music performance on horn. With that in mind, I looked to some of my awesome professors to give me advice what I needed to do. One of the pieces of advice I was given was to go take lessons with as many people as I could, mostly to get myself out there, hear different opinions about my playing, and also to help me make the decision where I wanted to go for grad school. I filed this information away, knowing that I might need it eventually, but knowing that at the time, I couldn't afford to do something crazy like fly across the country just for a lesson or two.
Well, fast-forward to this summer. I'm in full grad-school-preparation mode now, and having basically done that sort of whirlwind trip once this summer (look back a couple posts if you haven't heard about my trip to Daytona Beach, FL), and also being a little more financially capable this year with my job at the Bucks, I decided it was time to go for it. Let me tell you, coordinating lessons with four professional horn players nearly two months out is a logistical nightmare. It's also very nerve-wracking if you've never done something like that before. I was positively scared silly at the prospect of hitting the "send" button on the emails. James actually had to talk me into it for a couple of them.
So, after finally hitting send, I got to start the waiting process. The first horn teacher got back to me that evening, which was really exciting! The second reply came two days later...and then I got to wait for another two weeks. Now, because I was aiming to get lessons with all four, I couldn't really confirm with the first two until I had heard from the last two. I also happened to know that one of those who hadn't replied was out of the country, and had limited internet access. I hate waiting, and practically jumped every time my phone buzzed that I had an email. Meanwhile, the time to buy plane tickets came up, and I leaped when I saw I could get round trip tickets from Seattle to NYC for only $330. Unfortunately, I still didn't know when those lessons would be, so I decided to go for the widest window I could manage: leaving Seattle Monday morning, and then returning from NYC on Saturday evening.
After two weeks with no replies, I decided to send another email, just in case they had missed the original one. It turns out to be a good thing I did...both of them had missed the original one somehow. So, now all four lessons were set up...or at least I had an idea when they wanted to meet. All of them apparently are available on the same three days. Another fun aspect to this was the fact that one of the professors isn't in NYC at all, but teaches at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.
I honestly can't give you a more detailed description of my schedule than this yet since we're still hashing things out. I do know that I'm heading up to ESM Thursday morning, and returning to NYC Friday morning. Thankfully, I can crash on a friend of a friend's floor for the night I'm up there. My wallet is thankful too! I'm happy to report that I now have all the big stuff booked and ready to go: hostel, plane tickets, and the general idea of a schedule. Plus! I get to see the NYP (New York Philharmonic) in their opening concert of the 2012-2013 season...Rite of Spring! So totally psyched!
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A midst the insanity of planning this trip, I also became an aunt this week! Actually...last night :) I'm a little sad that I'm not able to fly down and meet her because the ridiculous amount of money I'll be spending this year, but they might come up to my senior recital in May. Can't wait :)
Until next time!
~(Auntie) Allie
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