John Fisk (Auditions Circuit)
LAST MONTH’S RESOLUTIONS:
I had a concert performance and two separate stage performances this month. Feedback was good.
NEXT MONTH’S RESOLUTIONS:
For the coming month, I am going to sit in on at least three lessons with different teachers and get some idea as to what it is I am looking for. I want to get a firm grasp on my needs as a “voice student” right now, which means seeing what it is that some of these teachers have to offer.
I also need to start making some regular money, which means resolution number two is to get myself into a semi-permanent day job, but one that is flexible enough for me to leave for four months of singing jobs over the summer, and return to it in September. I have a lead right now (an office tech job), and if this works out, it will be a perfect match in terms of timing and flexibility.
Kristine Hurst (Student)
LAST MONTH’S RESOLUTIONS:
Learn two more pieces for NATSAA competition and memorize, revisit the rest of the repertoire: Not only was I able to prepare the necessary repertoire for the NATSAA competition, I also won it, advancing to the regional level. This was especially thrilling for me, because the other person from my area who advanced is a singer I really admire. It was an honor to be in league with her! Two days after the competition, I flew to New York for an audition for a summer production of Cosi. With all my other commitments, I simply had to choose my battles.
Study for 20th Century theory placement test: I decided to just take the course, since I need graduate-level theory anyway. Unfortunately, the class conflicted with opera rehearsals, and since I’m covering Zerlina, I couldn’t take the class after all. I’ll be able to take it another time, and it won’t affect my degree planning. Providentially, a doctoral seminar in Elizabethan music was being offered, and since I’m doing my lecture recital on Elizabethan lute song in April, it was too good to pass up. I dropped theory, added the course, and am now swamped (but happily so). At my professor’s suggestion, I submitted two grant proposals here at Colorado University for research funding. If they’re accepted, I’ll be traveling to the Huntington Library in Pasadena, which has one of the most comprehensive collections of Elizabethan materials in the world.
E-mail my early-music professor with information she needs to write a recommendation for a Bach festival: I have what I need. I’ll be sending out the tape next week.
Take a one-year Italian placement test: This will have to wait until next year, as the professor is going on sabbatical in March. It doesn’t seem realistic to hope to complete the test before she leaves, with everything else I have going on! The opera opens mid-March, and I plan to have my lecture recital (which will also be my final paper for the doctoral seminar!) written by April
Sign up for another yoga class: My church job makes that pretty difficult, since we have extra rehearsals for an upcoming concert, so I don’t get out as often as I’d like. Exercise really helps me maintain equilibrium.
NEXT MONTH’S RESOLUTIONS:
Take part in the scholarship competition at CU.
Begin writing my lecture recital paper.
Send audition tape to Carmel Bach Festival.
Finish production of Don Giovanni.
Write a grant proposal for the Entrepreneur-ship Competition at CU.
Audition for the summer shows at CU.
Begin working with my new accompanist for the NATSAA regionals.
Continue yoga classes and ski more often (necessary for stress relief).
I hope to start a weight program to balance things a bit better.
Janeanne Houston
(Pro Singer)
LAST MONTH’S RESOLUTIONS:
Get resume and copies of the CD out to the remainder of the list of conductors assembled in November and December: Done
Lay groundwork and begin scheduling for next summer’s recording: This has taken the bulk of my time, outside of teaching. I spent many hours going over the concept, threw out 90 percent of my original plan, and just this past week arrived at the one I can get excited about, which involved taking the plan for 2003 and putting it in 2002, and re-naming the 2003 project. It worked. Many e-mails were fired out, many questions asked, and the process now begins in earnest. Meanwhile, I am working on both projects at the same time. Why not?!
Follow up on contacts made, commissions, and responses received. Keep ears open for opportunities to audition for visiting conductors: I made contact with the stores who were carrying the CD, and some have agreed to keep it in stock throughout the year even though it is a seasonal album. I have collected and deposited most of the income from the season at this point. I sent a letter and a copy of the CD to a visiting conductor who has made hundreds of recordings and attended his concert.
Approach more recording companies: I put this one on hold for the moment. Feel more research is needed before I act. Instead, I turned my efforts toward learning more about writing and securing individual grants.
Set up auditions out of town: A few inquiries made, results 0, so far. The one I want is tough to get!
NEXT MONTH’S RESOLUTIONS:
Solidify programming for the new recording. Begin assembling musicians. A lot of research to do here, and some concerts to attend.
Begin scheduling for July recording sessions.
Look into taking a grant-writing seminar, follow up on the leads and contacts that I already have. What have I got to lose?
Help four of my students prepare their recitals and pass their juries!
