John Fisk— young singer doing the New York auditions circuit
LAST MONTH’S RESOLUTIONS:
1. 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.
REPORT: I sat in on a couple of lessons. Neither of the teachers that I saw especially thrilled me. Both were very nice, and I liked the rapport they had with their respective students. Though I know I can’t really get a feeling for a teacher unless I have a lesson myself, I can certainly tell when there would be a serious semantic difference, and in these cases, I believe there would be. In any case, I find myself more informed, and better prepared to tackle the teacher issue come September. Still, I’m very happy at this point because I have been offered another role at a small company in the area. It is a large character role, and one that I’ve wanted to do for a while. I’m very excited about the opportunity, and it will keep me busy until I leave for the summer.
2. I also need to start making some regular money, which means resolution No. 2 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.
REPORT: I have not found a day job, and at this point, it is a little futile. I am only in town for another month, and by the time my agency gets me work, I will have to quit. My lead from last month fell through, so I am stuck. The good news is, after another month, I have no more rent to pay, and food will get cheaper. I am not starving, but I am certainly struggling a bit. That what its all about, right? Still …
NEXT MONTH’S RESOLUTIONS:
1. Learn music both for this new role, and for cover assignments at my Young Artist Program.
2. Spend an hour a day (at least) sitting with a score, learning music.
3. Sit in on a couple more lessons before I go. I’d like to seek out students of teachers that I would like to study with, to get a better feeling for these people before I shell out $100 an hour.
4. Have a little more fun. I’ve been doing a lot of sitting around, and it’s getting to me a bit. The upside is the apartment is always clean; the downside is that I get moderately depressed not seeing the light of day.
5. Keep healthy. I’ve gotten sick a lot recently. I’m not sure whether it’s due to weather, stress, or inactivity, but I need to take better care of myself. This means eating regular meals, working out more often.
Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk —A graduate student at Colorado State University at Boulder
LAST MONTH’S RESOLUTIONS:
1. Take part in the scholarship competition at CU.
REPORT: I did this, didn’t even make the finals, but did get into a master class with Martin Isepp.
2. Begin writing my lecture recital paper.
REPORT: Haven’t begun this yet. Will start over spring break next week.
3. Send audition tape to Carmel Bach Festival.
REPORT: Done.
4. Finish production of Don Giovanni.
REPORT: Done, as of last night.
5. Write a grant proposal for the Entrepreneurship Competition at CU.
REPORT: In progress. This was due the week I wrote this report.
6. Audition for the summer shows at CU.
REPORT: Done. Was offered a role. Still waiting to hear back re: the other summer auditions I did, and will decide when I get the results.
7. Begin working with my new accompanist for the NATSAA regionals.
REPORT: Done. We’re performing together in the Martin Isepp master classes.
8. Continue yoga classes and ski more often (necessary for stress relief).
REPORT: Haven’t skied at all, but will this weekend. Have been religious about my yoga classes. They’re a godsend.
9. I hope to start a weight program to balance things a bit better.
REPORT: Done. I met with a personal trainer last week and have begun a full fitness program which included weights.
NEXT MONTH’S RESOLUTIONS:
1. Finish writing/schedule lecture recital.
2. Physical therapy for my left knee. It’s bothered me for eight years.
3. NATSAA regionals on April 13.
4. Apply for a Lead TA position through the Graduate School.
5. GET OUTTA TOWN! I need a break, even if just for two days.
6. Schedule my fall recital.
7. Decide on summer plans/programs.
8. Begin final papers for my theory and musicology classes.
Janeanne Houston —A professional singer performing, recording and teaching in Seattle
LAST MONTH’S RESOLUTIONS:
1. Solidify programming for the new recording. Begin assembling musicians. A lot of research to do here, and some concerts to attend.
REPORT: This process is now basically completed, but every day something new comes up. The recording will be titled “Living Mysteries” and will be the second in a series of three. I’ve contacted the producer from last year’s recording who will have some expanded duties this time, which include playing the cello. This recording will involve more instrumentalists than were used last year, so assembling the right group for the project has been critical. It has brought me in contact with many interesting people. We purchased domain names last week. There will be a new arrangement of a song for the recording (this just happened), and I’m very pleased about this. I’m also in the midst of getting permission to use the poetry which the British composer and I chose for next year’s commission. I’m aware, more than ever, how artists need a lot of legal advice!
2. Begin scheduling for July recording sessions.
REPORT: This is done, but not the detailed schedule. Those will have to happen later when I’m working on the recording schedule with the producer. However, we have the hall reserved for a week in July, and everyone can be there! (This wasn’t easy).
3. Look into taking a grant-writing seminar, follow up on the leads and contacts that I already have. What have I got to lose?
REPORT: My budget says this should have been somewhere at the top of the list a year ago, but I haven’t done very much. There are classes which I hope to take in May that will demystify the process, but I also found a very good book. Hopefully the benefits of that study can be reaped by next year. I did assemble some lists of grantors, with the help of friends, that may come in handy later. I was reminded by a grants person that it isn’t that hard, just time consuming. However, I will probably have to donate myself to a non-profit organization to be eligible! I’ve been spending a lot of time singing and practicing for upcoming concerts and the recording. Not all things are hard!
4. Help four of my students prepare their recitals and pass their juries!!
REPORT: Two performed this past weekend, and two will perform in April. They did a good job. I didn’t make it to their recital because there were several inches of snow on my hill. I sent a local “representative.” For Seattle-ites, having snow in March is akin to a “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” entry.
NEXT MONTH’S RESOLUTIONS:
1. Get permission to use the poetry I want to use for next year’s commission, and information from the composer’s publisher about the royalties they expect to receive. If it’s over the top, we may have to go back to the drawing board. Hope not.
2. Take all the music for the recording to my pianist’s house, and figure out which scores I need to buy or borrow for the instrumentalists.
3. Follow up on some of the audition requests and contacts I’ve made.
4. Stay healthy, and do a good job on spring concerts. Help my students pass their juries, and do a good job!
5. Take the first warm sunny day off and play in the garden! It’s been a long winter!
