Music majors: keeping music in our lives after graduation.

I saw a video on yahoo.com the other day that showed Condoleeza Rice playing classical piano. At first I was surprized, but it helped remind me that we are capable of taking on many different responsibilities while keeping the music going. We live in a competitive world, and circumstances have a way of mapping out our lives. Who knows? We might be one of the lucky ones who, like one popular R&B singer who's name escapes me, gets noticed while singing to herself at a gas station and suddenly has a recording career. The point is, anything can happen, and I am a firm believer that great things can happen if one is open to them happening. For example, if an opportunity comes along and one isn't prepared (or simply lacks the courage to try), that's one more chance down the drain. At the same time, we can't sit daydreaming about our ideal future 24-7. We have bills to pay, people to love and lives to live. I must get a job now, music industry or not, but that doesn't mean I am no longer an artist and a singer. It is up to all of us to determine what role music has in our lives, and to give it enough energy to allow it to fill that role. For me, singing is the ultimate form of self-expression, and performing is the greatest high because it allows me to express all of the emotions I have learned to supress. I have recently started writing my own songs, and I have found, with great joy, that my own songs are my favorites, because I was able to express a personal emotion, through the combination of words and music, in a way clearer than with words alone. You never have to give up on your dreams. Circumstances may change, but there is always a way to keep moving forward with your art, a little at a time. So keep going! Music may not pay the bills, but it may sustain you in some other way.

Still searching...

Thirty days have passed, and I am still searching for that "day job." Things are not looking good. I have worked for a month at a temp catering job, and I was depressed to learn that I have only made about $300 in that time (I only work 1-3 days per week).

On a lighter note, I wrote my first complete song last night (well, the first one that I'm proud to say I have written!). I haven't written it out in notation or anything - just chords, melody and lyrics. I'll keep working on it and hopefully put together a youtube video soon.

Hello from the other side!

There have always been times in my life when I feel I'm not equipped to overcome the challenges I face, but I continue to prove myself wrong. In the ten or so days since my last post, I feel I have transformed myself by reaching out to others. It seems I am constantly learning this lesson: that keeping my feelings and fears inside doesn't solve anything, and that communicating openly can only help the situation at hand. A visit from a college friend only reminded me of how much I missed the safety and comfort of my college life, when I was surrounded by music majors who all shared my dreams. My job search dragged on, and I thought things couldn't get much worse. Then, a coworker at my temp job told me the office building she worked in during the day burned to the ground just hours before our shift that night! It's strange that no matter how bad things seem, we are always better off than we think we are.

For whatever reason, things have been getting better ever since that night. I have started to open my eyes to the world around me, and it looks like everyone is doing their best to get along, despite the circumstances. There are numerous challenges to face every day, and we have to be willing to look them in the eye if we want to go places. I finally contacted a local guitar teacher and had my first lesson. He informed me that there are lots of venues to perform in my area, which is wonderful and terrifying! It means if I dedicate myself to learning what I want to learn, I could be out there with the rest of them, living my dream of being a singer/songwriter. I'm also hoping to audition for a local theatre choir that performs works from a variety of musical genres. Things are falling into place, but it takes time, and I'm still learning how to be patient.