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The 2012 school year has just began, and I am extremely excited to start teaching my high school students again! I have a lot of returning students who did well in competition last year, so I am very hopeful for great results this year. And almost all the schools' choir programs have increased in number, which means lots of new faces and happy choir directors!
If you can't tell, I love teaching high school, and if I hadn't gone the music route, I might have ended up teaching history at the high school level. Partly because I am a huge history nerd (not ashamed to admit it), but mostly because I really enjoy working with high school students. I get to work with some of the most responsible, intelligent high school kids in the area, and it can't help make me feel optimistic about the future. DWS Once you've decided on your top 5 music schools, the next step is to start contacting voice teachers for a lesson/interview. This is extremely important for two reasons: one, your voice teacher is the most crucial component to a successful music career in college and beyond, and two, if the voice teacher likes you a lot, they will fight for your admission.
There is a very simple etiquette to contacting voice teachers at college. Here are the steps. 1) Figure out who you want to have a lesson with. 2) Call or email the teachers. State that you will be auditioning in the near future and would like to have a trial lesson. Ask how much they charge for a half-hour or hour lesson (they may do it for free, but it is polite to ask and not expect a free lesson) and if they have any availability before the audition. 3) Give the voice teacher a week to respond. If they do not respond in a week, try again by email or phone (whatever method you did not use at first) and repeat step #2. 4) When you have your lesson, dress professionally and be warmed up BEFORE the lesson starts. First impressions are critical. This is a job interview for all intents and purposes. Hopefully, the teachers will respond promptly and you will find a great teacher for your college. If they do not respond, do not be disheartened. They may simply not have the time or offer trial lessons to incoming freshmen. Try some other teachers and see if anyone else suits your learning style. DWS On August 17th, 7 PM, at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, I will be presenting an hour long concert of hit Broadway tunes from the "Golden Age" of musicals. I will be accompanied by piano and drums. It should be a great night, and tickets are free. Donations will be accepted to help reimburse expenses with the concert.
I will be back to blogging soon...I have been working on some very "EXCITING" home projects (regrouting a shower, lawn care etc...) and have been too tired to talk about music. DWS |
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