New Buffs

Working with your studio professor

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Working with your studio professor Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/20/2021 - 00:00

Rose Hansen

I’m going to say this right off the bat: I love working with Professor of Bassoon Yoshi Ishikawa. This is a very good thing—when you choose a school, your potential professors are a big reason why you look at the schools you do, so it stands to reason that I would enjoy learning from whoever taught at where I ended up going, right? Right.

Working with Professor Ishikawa is different from working with my high school teacher. They’re focused on different aspects of playing. They enjoy different things. They have different life experiences. That said, they're both focused on the success of their students and the best way that they can help them.

A typical lesson goes like this: I show up, I put my instrument together and soak my reed. While this is happening, Professor Ishikawa and I have a nice chat about life … things that are going on, current events and the like. Then, we get down to business which consists of almost anything under the sun and can take almost any amount of time. It can be talking about career plans and ways to implement them, it can be working on something for an audition or it can be working on something for fun. Sometimes I choose the pieces that I play and sometimes Professor does … it depends.

I find that when I’m preparing a piece, I generally do so with a focus on something that I'm trying to improve. A struggle for me is vibrato—so a lot of the pieces that I have chosen or been given to learn have several slower sections where it's necessary to focus on vibrato to sound good. As a result, I've been able to integrate better vibrato into all pieces that I play. Music is something that builds on itself as you learn and continue with it, so I have found it helpful to spend a lot of time on vibrato now … rather than in the future.

I also tend to be a perfectionist which explains why I tend to spend a long time on things. Professor helps me develop what I want to do, but also helps talk me down from focusing on too much all at once. He helps me move onto something else when I feel that I’m not progressing in a way that I want—or feel that I need to—so that I don’t go insane. Instead of just focusing on vibrato all semester, there’s a piece or two that includes some sort of technically difficult passage so that I can work on tricky fingerings, rhythm or different reed-making techniques.

Having someone to look out for you and know when you need a push in one direction or another is extremely helpful and I'm grateful to Professor for that.

The most important thing in working with Professor is our relationship. When looking at schools, I was majorly concerned with how I clicked with the bassoon teachers and, in particular, the teaching style at each university. Trial lessons were a huge part of how I figured that out. If you get the chance, I would encourage you to schedule a trial lesson with a professor you’re interested in taking lessons from—or at a university you’d like to attend—to see how you click.

Rose Hansen is a senior from the suburbs of Boston majoring in bassoon performance and minoring in ecology + evolutionary biology. When not making reeds or talking about bees, she can be found finding the best recipes and the worst movies in existence.

"Having someone to look out for you and know when you need a push in one direction or another is extremely helpful."

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Ten things I love about being a �鶹��Ѱ��student

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Ten things I love about being a �鶹��Ѱ��student Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 01/06/2021 - 00:00

Isabel Goodwin

The up-close view of the pristine and iconic Flatirons … the warm sunshine … the first-class instructors … when it comes to studying music at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, what’s not to love? As we approach the final deadline to apply to the College of Music, student ambassador Isabel Goodwin has compiled a few of her favorite things about being a �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder music student.

The weather

I grew up in Texas, and if there’s one thing I love about going to school in Colorado, it’s the weather. All year long, there are lots of beautiful days to go outside and hike! Unsurprisingly, Dallas is hot, but in Boulder it is so much nicer. I’m also in love with the snow days—I had never seen so much snow in my life before coming to �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder.

The mountains

Especially for me, the mountainous region of Colorado is a beautiful change of scenery! Every morning as I walk to class, the mountains serve as a reminder that I am somewhere new. I’ve grown to love the mountains even more through going on hikes all over Colorado. The Flatirons appear above �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder all the time, and their unwavering beauty never fails to bring me some cheer.

Small music school, big university

The College of Music, yielding about 500 students, is one of the smallest colleges on campus, so the community is really tight-knit. However, the university itself is quite large and has all the amenities and opportunities that aren’t always available at smaller universities! This combination means that I can have smaller, more focused music classes, but I don't feel like I’m missing out on big lecture hall experiences when I take classes outside of the College of Music. It’s a win-win!

The professors

I absolutely love all my music professors! They are kind and expect us to work hard. They’re always available to help us learn and are extremely supportive of our musical endeavors. I especially love my applied lessons professors who push me to improve every day. I’ve also had great experiences outside of the College of Music! The professors at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder really want us to succeed and provide every tool to do so.

Access to Boulder and Denver

As students at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, we have access to the buses that run around Boulder and to Denver. It can take some getting used to, but the buses are a wonderful resource for getting around! I feel independent with the ability to get almost anywhere by myself, and it’s great for the environment.

The environmentalism

Speaking of … Boulder as a city is very environmentally conscious, and �鶹��Ѱ��is not an exception. There are recycling and compost bins all around campus. The dining halls primarily use washable, metal utensils, and compostable ones as an alternative. Reusable water bottles can be filled at water stations all around campus. Everything from the building designs to the social culture emphasizes environmentalism. We all need to do our part to help our planet, and �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder really encourages that. There are plenty of organizations to get involved in if environmentalism is your passion!

Ralphie and her alter ego, Chip, are the best mascot(s)

As a drawing, mascot, and real-life animal, the �鶹��Ѱ�� Buffalo—Chip AKA Ralphie—is the best mascot in the country, hands-down. In case you're wondering about the different names... Ralphie is the live buffalo who runs around the field before Buffs football games at Folsom Field, while Chip is the costumed mascot.

Boulder is a great host to visitors

When my family comes to see me, I know they’ll have a great time. The city of Boulder has countless fun places to explore, especially Pearl Street. And don’t forget, you can get there by bus!

The Boulder restaurants

When I get the opportunity to eat off campus, there are lots of amazing restaurants close by to try out! Many local restaurants also pair with food delivery apps, which is great for late-night study parties or stay-in celebrations.

The university cares about our mental health

This is a huge one. Living away from home is a challenge, no matter how far away you are. It is really important to ask for help, and �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder has pathways to do so. The Counseling and Psychiatric Services Program (CAPS) provides students help, whether it’s drop-by counseling or more consistent arrangements. In my experience, the professors and staff at the university have also been understanding of mental health issues. Mental health is taken extremely seriously. We’re all learning how to be independent humans, and I think we’re really lucky that �鶹��Ѱ��helps us learn not only academically, but mentally and emotionally, too.

There are so many great things about being a student at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder. Don’t forget to complete your �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder application by Jan. 15!

Isabel Goodwin is a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Music in bassoon performance as well as a Bachelor of Music in composition. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Isabel loves creating art through music, visual art and videography.

As we approach the final deadline to apply to the College of Music, student ambassador Isabel Goodwin has compiled a few of her favorite things about being a �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder music student.

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Lessons learned from online learning

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Lessons learned from online learning Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 12/01/2020 - 00:00

Isabel Goodwin

Spring 2020 was a hectic time for students from elementary school to graduate school.

All of a sudden, learning was happening online. The switch from in-person to virtual was stressful for everyone, especially musicians. We rely so much on collaboration. I was finishing the spring semester of my freshman year when the pandemic struck, which made the transition to online classes terribly disorienting. As the semester carried on remotely, I struggled with lack of motivation, lax time management and isolation from friends.

Thankfully, these feelings didn’t last forever. As the College of Music continued hybrid in-person and remote learning this fall, I started to develop the skills necessary to make distance learning work for me. I have definitely struggled at times, but I eventually adapted to the new reality.

As we head into another remote semester for Spring 2021, here are some ideas for making the most of music study in a pandemic.

Preparation

Using the time we have over Winter Break to prepare mentally and physically for the spring semester will make the transition much easier. Be sure to ask your professors what equipment will be necessary for a successful transition. For me last spring, this meant downloading Zoom, getting a high-quality microphone for my lessons and making sure I had a music stand. Some classes will require specialized equipment; the university can help students to acquire necessary materials for home.

Time management

It’s important to be organized all year, but online and hybrid classes require even more organization. It’s very easy to forget about due dates or studying when there is no one to remind you in person. My organization tools are a Google Calendar for events and a program called Notion for tasks, but any kind of planner or app works. I’ve found success in planning my days around my Zoom classes and working at home during the times that I would usually be working on campus for continuity (which actually helped my motivation issues!). For example, if I would usually practice at 8 a.m. on campus, then I practice at 8 a.m. at home. I keep track of due dates in my calendar and plan my work/study schedule ahead of time.

Rejecting isolation

College is a great opportunity to make new friends, and leaving those friends last spring was really difficult. Isolation is easy to fall into and is something I’m still working to fight against. I did find some things that made me feel less alone: collaborating on recording projects, calling a group of friends every week or so, turning on my camera during Zoom classes and communicating with my favorite professors about my projects. Every person will have to figure out what makes them feel less alone. Fortunately we now have the advantage of some in-person time in our hybrid classes, but anticipating these emotional needs ahead of time will help us feel more comfortable if we return to fully remote learning.

Online classes, especially for us as music students, are tough. This spring will be our second time around with planned hybrid classes, so I think it will be more organized than it was this fall. But it’s OK to be nervous, and it’s OK to ask questions. Most of all, don’t be afraid to reach out if you’re struggling. There are people who want each one of us to succeed and resources to help us when things are hard. I know that we can do this.

Resources

As we enter another semester of hybrid remote and in-person activities, sophomore Isabel Goodwin has some advice for how to make the most of this new way of doing things.

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Save some stress before the holidays

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Save some stress before the holidays Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 11/03/2020 - 00:00

Nicole Peters

There’s no doubt that applying for college can be an immensely overwhelming process, but fortunately, you’re not alone! As with many things, there are numerous strategies that can aid in wrapping one’s head around such a monumental task. So, take it from someone who’s been there: Completing your application by Dec. 1 is a fantastic way to minimize the stress associated with college applications.

Do yourself a favor before the holidays

Regardless of the deadline, it is best to have your application completed by Dec. 1, if at all possible. While this may seem early to some, I assure you that you will appreciate being ahead of schedule when we get into the holiday season. As you know, there are plenty of other obligations that come up over the holidays, and it will be a great stress relief to have your college applications complete! Plus, if you are required to submit a pre-screening recording, it will be due on Dec. 1 (for the College of Music and many other music schools across the country), so you might as well submit your entire application at once.

Impress the faculty

Submitting your application early gives the faculty at your prospective schools ample time to listen to your recordings thoroughly and reach out to you with any questions or suggestions prior to your audition. This will give you insider knowledge on how to be successful that students who wait to apply may not receive. Not only that, but demonstrating preparedness to your future faculty members will make you stand out among the crowd as well.

Take control of your audition

By submitting your application early, you get first choice in selecting the date and time for your live (or virtual-live, this year) audition. Such an opportunity allows you to organize your various auditions to ensure that you have plenty of preparation time.

Best of luck to all future Music Buffs! If further questions arise, please contact the Admissions office. We’re here to help.

Nicole Peters is originally from Ithaca, New York, and is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Music in flute performance as well as a Certificate in music entrepreneurship and minor in business. When not practicing flute, Nicole can be found hiking and petting any nearby dogs.

Current Music Buff Nicole Peters on why it’s important to apply for music school as early as possible.

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How a spreadsheet can help you nail auditions

Anonymous — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +0000

How a spreadsheet can help you nail auditions Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/06/2020 - 00:00

Rose Hansen and Isabel Goodwin

This time of year, a hot topic on many high school students’ minds is, “How do I apply for college?” If you plan to fill out applications for the first time this fall, it's possible you're already feeling intimidated (before you've even started)! But we can tell you firsthand: Applying to music schools, as it turned out, wasn’t as scary as we thought it would be. Personally, both of us are planners. If we don’t have a plan laying out everything we need to accomplish, we do start to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, this made all the difference in our application process.

We’re both big fans of spreadsheets. It’s impossible to keep track of important information without writing it down somewhere, and spreadsheets help organize it all: which schools you’re applying to, each school’s audition requirements, what you’ll actually perform at each audition, etc. A spreadsheet puts all this information at your fingertips. It’s easily accessible from many devices, shareable to people who care (like parents and teachers), and it’s easy to read.

Step one: Organize your thoughts

Spreadsheets, of course, are completely customizable. What you actually put on your sheet is really up to you and your planning style. Get the ball rolling by asking your teachers and classmates for school recommendations. Couple advice and research with your own priorities, then start filling things in: When is the application due? What are the requirements? Do you need a pre-screening audition? This kind of focused work at the beginning of the process can cut down on the number of auditions you have to do, which in turn helps with travel costs and stress levels. Here’s an example of a general school application spreadsheet:

Step two: Do the work

Once you have the spreadsheet all filled out and your decisions made about where to apply, you can get to work submitting items for your applications. Turning your applications in early is infinitely more stress-relieving than sending them in at the last second. While it’s not always possible to send things in early—some items, like letters of recommendation and test scores are somewhat out of your control—we recommend doing so if you can.

You have a couple of submission options, depending on your preference: Send it all in at once (so you don’t feel as scattered and can save time on actually submitting), or use your spreadsheet (ta-da!) to keep track of what you’ve submitted so far, using color coding as your guide. It also helps to call in reinforcements: Tell a friend, parent or teacher when your due dates are so they can check in on your progress periodically.

Step three: Blow their minds

Next, level up your spreadsheet and use it for auditions, too. By listing out the repertoire options of prospective schools, you can find the commonalities in order to cut down on the number of pieces you have to learn. Once the pieces are narrowed down, it’s helpful to talk with a private lessons teacher or band director to help you prepare. Your teachers understand your capabilities and can help you make selections that help your talents shine.

Let’s be honest. Auditioning can be downright terrifying at times, but it’s important to remember that nobody involved wants to see you fail, not even the people you’re auditioning for! College recruiters know an important part of your journey as a musician is learning how you manage performance anxiety, and nobody expects you to master it by the time you’re auditioning for colleges. Still, it can help to practice some calming techniques you can deploy before you play. Try:

Humming your repertoire
Pacing
Doing breathing exercises
Reading

One last thing: Auditioning takes a lot of prep, a lot of work, and a lot of gumption, but don’t forget to listen to your gut. If you feel that a school isn’t right for you, figure out why and take that into consideration with all the other schools on your list. On the other hand, if you feel that a certain school (say ... �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder ...) has something that attracts you, put it at the top of your list and do your best there.

Here’s something you can put in your brand-spanking-new spreadsheet right now: The University of Colorado application is due Nov. 15, and the music application is due Dec. 1!
Auditioning for college can be a stressful time, but it doesn’t last forever! On the other side, you’ll have a college that wants to teach you, and a college experience you’ll never forget. Go forth with preparedness and success, and good luck!

Check out more blogs by our Music Buffs here.

A little planning can go a long way. Just ask Music Buffs Rose Hansen and Isabel Goodwin, who know a thing or two about applying and auditioning for music school.

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Back to Boulder

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Back to Boulder Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 09/01/2020 - 00:00

Rose Hansen

It’s no secret that this semester looks nothing like what a normal semester of college looks like. This is unlike anything I’ve experienced before, and is likely something I’ll never experience again. We are all experimenting with new ways of learning and making music, and while no one really knows how the rest of the semester will turn out, I’m excited nonetheless. Being back in Boulder, surrounded by the resources of the wider university and the students and faculty of the College of Music, I’m reminded of why I decided to be a Music Buff, and I’m so glad to be back.

Theory and aural skills

I’ll be finishing up my last two semesters of theory and aural skills, which I delayed while I studied abroad (a good reason!). In these classes, you learn basic, foundational skills, typically during your first two years as a music student. These classes help with ear training, as well as chords, chords progressions and basic forms of pieces. I wish I could have continued with the group that I started with my first year, but I’m ready to form a new study group!

Arts management

As I start my junior year, I’ll also be taking some more specialized classes, including arts management, which is interesting to me as a potential career path after graduation. The class is taught through the College of Music’s Entrepreneurship Center for Music, which provides tools and resources to help musicians build sustainable, well-rounded careers.

The faculty

Another reason I’m excited to be back is the professors. I have had some amazing professors at the College of Music. They are excellent teachers who push me to do better and are able to convey material in a way that really makes sense. My applied teacher, Professor Ishikawa, is always available to talk to me about bassoon literature and techniques, as well as future job prospects and my life trajectory.

When we went online last semester, I was really struggling with staying motivated for practicing. Professor Ishikawa suggested covering a song I like or doing a virtual collaboration with some of my friends to give me a goal to work towards over the summer. Having him as a resource and a confidant really enhances my experience as a student and makes me more confident in my abilities.

The Bettina Baruch Reed Room

Being back on campus doesn’t only mean that classes are starting up again, it also means that I once again have access to the Bettina Baruch Reed Room. As a bassoon player, this space is vital. Of course, I’m able to make reeds in the comfort of my own room at home, but there are a lot of machines that I don’t have access to there. There’s also not much extra space for me to make reeds at home, and it gets a little claustrophobic when everything I’m doing is within 120 square feet. So, the separation in the reed room is helpful.

Campus opportunities

There are, of course, things on campus beyond the music community, including clubs. I’m very involved in the Bee Club here on campus, which has proven to be a great way to learn about bees and their role in the environment, and to take action to prevent the extinction of the species. I’ve also had the opportunity to connect with local beekeepers, which is a wicked fun way to learn about beekeeping. As the vice president for administration of the club, I also helping plan several virtual fall events, and this spring, we hope to host a local honey sale with BeeSquared Apiaries on campus.

There are also a wide range of things to do on campus that I’m looking forward to: the dining halls will be open again (albeit with some changes from last year), Farrand Field will be open for hanging out between classes again and the libraries will be lending books once more.

Of course, one of the things that I can’t wait to see again is the view of the Flatirons from the newly updated music building. Boulder is a beautiful city with a lot of great things to do both outdoors, like hiking, and indoors, and I can’t wait to go back. There are many reasons for me to be excited to return to �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, just as there are as many reasons for you to apply! You can start your application online today by visiting the Admissions section of the website.

Rose Hansen is a junior from the suburbs of Boston double majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Bassoon Performance. When not making reeds or talking about bees, she can be found finding the best recipes and the worst movies in existence.

Junior Rose Hansen talks about what she’s looking forward to now that she’s back in Boulder for fall semester.

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Ten ways to be successful at the College of Music

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 17:23:45 +0000

Ten ways to be successful at the College of Music Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 02/11/2020 - 10:23

Curtis Sellers

Being a music major is truly a challenging endeavor: You have to find time to practice, study, listen and rehearse … all while trying to maintain a social life and live on your own. The following 10 points are bits of advice I have received that have helped me navigate my way through the past two and a half years at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder. I hope they help you and make life as a music major easier.

Student life

Figure out the bus routes and use your bus pass/other transportation. It is easy to just stay on campus—especially freshman year. I recommend downloading the Transit app and TapRide, as they are both excellent ways to make the most of transportation around Boulder and even into Denver!
Prioritize the assignment/class that you least like when doing homework. If you get it out of the way you can work on classes you enjoy more. This will also clear your head of all of the more major assignments/commitments that may loom over you.
Early to bed, early to rise: Sleep is HUGE in college. There is nothing and no one stopping you from pulling all-nighters. If you are well-rested, you will be more focused and alert in all of your classes (trust me, I’ve been the kid falling asleep in the front row many times).
If your schedule allows for it, try to get out of Imig and Macky and find non-music courses (or minors/certificates) you enjoy. This will make days less repetitive, open you to new people and opportunities, and give you different options (some of which you may be able to combine with music). I recommend finding a minor in a field of interest and at least exploring some of its courses.

Keeping a schedule

Find what works best for you personally and USE IT. Paper calendars have never worked for me, so I use Google Calendar to stay on track. Another great method I learned from Mark Arnett (a fantastic Aural Skills/Theory professor) is drawing out a full calendar with everything planned out in terms of hours, calculating everything to do in and out of class, practicing and then see how much free time you actually have.
When in a chamber group or other small ensemble where others are counting on you, make sure rehearsal times are booked solid so there isn’t a need for rescheduling or canceling.

Practicing

Keep a Practice Journal. This is one of the best ways to stay organized. You can define strengths and weaknesses, have a solid warm-up plan, take notes on rep you are working on and set goals.
Record yourself every day and LISTEN. Almost everyone has a smartphone and a recording app. It takes a few extra minutes but makes a night and day difference. You can listen for inflection, evenness, intonation, tempo, character and more in a much clearer way.
Practice at a time of day when you are at your best, and your most energized and most focused self. I’ve found that it’s best for me to practice before class when possible. This lowers my anxiety about ensemble rehearsal and any other musical commitment I have. It also promotes discipline, giving me a set schedule to work from. But ultimately, any work done on rep should happen when you are at your most alert because not everyone is a morning person.

Mental health

In a world that demands more and more of us every day, we need to stay strong mentally. A few things I do to stay positive and to clear my head are running (a reminder that Boulder is probably the most beautiful place you will live), working out (every student gets a pass to the Rec Center as part of student fees), listening to music I enjoy, reading books that I enjoy or that discuss mental health/positivity, and spending time with my friends and studio (my family away from home).

I truly hope this helps clear up any questions or concerns you may have about being a music major at CU. This list is by no means all encompassing. Ultimately, you will find your own way. If even one of these points helps make your life easier, I will be delighted. Good luck this audition season and take care!

Curtis Sellers is a junior oboe performance major at the College of Music. He is originally from the St. Louis area and is studying with Peter Cooper. Read his blog "Ten reasons to get excited about the College of Music" here.

In part two of this blog series from junior Curtis Sellers, we have tips for how to make the most of your time as a student at the �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder College of Music.

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Ten reasons to get excited about the College of Music

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 09:20:50 +0000

Ten reasons to get excited about the College of Music Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 11/12/2019 - 02:20

Curtis Sellers

From the Boulder vibe to the performance opportunities, there are a number of reasons to call �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder your home while earning your degree in music. Current student Curtis Sellers lays out his top 10 reasons to study music at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder.

If you’re not from Colorado, take advantage of all the local trails while you can, because come early October they may be covered in snow. Being from the Midwest, the mountain views here are incredible to me, especially from the top looking down. Some great trails are less than two miles from campus.
Go to the Farmer’s Market. One of the most beautiful parts of Boulder is the small business community. Every Saturday morning and afternoon, you can try yummy samples, buy fresh produce, find creative homemade products and have some of the best food truck meals Boulder has to offer. Every vendor there is kind and welcoming.
Check out Pearl Street! While it can be quite expensive, there are stores for just about everything there. Some of my favorite shops include Boulder Book Store, Rocket Fizz, Pizza Colóre, Sock Em’ and Kilwins, just to name a few.
Every time you walk outside, you will be blessed by the incredible views of the Flatirons. Any sunrise or sunset, you are in for a beauty that words don’t do justice.
Even though you will also be performing a lot, try to find inspirational performances to attend. At CU, there are concerts happening pretty much every day. Between recitals, Faculty Tuesdays, ensemble concerts, the �鶹��Ѱ��Presents Artist Series and Colorado Symphony concerts down in Denver, there are plenty of opportunities to find a new source of musical inspiration.
If you want to get involved in different sorts of ensembles, there are a plethora of different options! For every area of music, you can find an ensemble of non-majors. In addition, there are a variety of World Music ensembles to join.
One great opportunity I got to be a part of is the Pendulum New Music concert series. Every month, music performance majors get to work with faculty and student composers on their works, old and new. There is a great relationship in that composers get to see their work realized and students get to perform a new, challenging work! Sometimes, as in my case, students get to play with instrumentalists they would never imagined working with. In the past, I got to work with a harpist, flutist and violist, and I will soon be on a piece with oboe and percussion.
Summer music festivals: Do them! They open you up to working with new colleagues and professors in new venues playing new rep. While potentially intimidating at first, many will be life-changing and push you to new musical heights.
I would highly recommend joining student organizations and clubs! If you’re looking for something music-related, a few groups are Kappa Kappa Psi (a co-ed band service fraternity that I am a part of), NAfME (music education organization), Mu Phi Epsilon (a co-ed international professional music fraternity), CMSG (College of Music Student Government), ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) and ASTA (American String Teachers Association).
In addition, there are plenty of on-campus music-related jobs. I would recommend looking into the �鶹��Ѱ��Presents Box Office/Marketing positions and Music Ambassadors (another group I’m a part of in which we give prospective students tours, participate in panel discussions and help with audition days).

I hope this has helped give you an idea of how incredible �鶹��Ѱ��is. I urge you to do yourself a favor and “Be Boulder.” ‘Sko Buffs!

Curtis Sellers is a junior oboe performance major at the College of Music. He hails from the St. Louis area and is studying with Peter Cooper.

College of Music junior Curtis Sellers writes about what incoming Music Buffs can look forward to while pursuing a degree at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder.

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New Buffs

Working with your studio professor

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Ten things I love about being a �鶹��Ѱ�����student

The weather

The mountains

Small music school, big university

The professors

Access to Boulder and Denver

The environmentalism

Ralphie and her alter ego, Chip, are the best mascot(s)

Boulder is a great host to visitors

The Boulder restaurants

The university cares about our mental health

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Lessons learned from online learning

Preparation

Time management

Rejecting isolation

Resources

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Save some stress before the holidays

Do yourself a favor before the holidays

Impress the faculty

Take control of your audition

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How a spreadsheet can help you nail auditions

Step one: Organize your thoughts

Step two: Do the work

Step three: Blow their minds

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Back to Boulder

Theory and aural skills

Arts management

The faculty

The Bettina Baruch Reed Room

Campus opportunities

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Ten ways to be successful at the College of Music

Student life

Keeping a schedule

Practicing

Mental health

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Ten reasons to get excited about the College of Music

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Ten things I love about being a �鶹��Ѱ��student