top of page

An Open Letter to New Music Majors

charleskritsch22

Hi all,


It's been a minute, my apologies! I'm currently heading into my second year of my B.M. in Viola Performance at the Jacobs School of Music, and I couldn't be more excited to continue learning more about myself, my instrument, and the music I'm performing. Since I've had a good month to gather my thoughts about my first semester, I thought that I should share some of what I've learned for the incoming freshmen.


#1 Trust Your Abilities


Coming into the first week of college, many students begin to doubt their abilities, gaining a mindset of being a fake, a "fraud"; better known as Imposter Syndrome. This mode of thinking can result in very real complications. Students may struggle with things as little as staying focused, to things as big as struggling to lift the instrument out of fear of failure. The best advice I can give to someone struggling with this is as follows: "Believe".


During the summer of 2023, I was struggling with the feeling of being an "imposter" of my instrument. I knew I could play; I was just missing the "spark". I was missing the spontaneous inspiration that had led my learning thus far. I found it difficult to stay focused and learn for extended periods of time, which resulted in a lot of time watching videos. Through this rut of boredom and distorted focus, I found a TV show called "Ted Lasso". Little did I know, this show would change my practicing and performing drastically.


During the first episode, Ted Lasso, an American Football coach finds himself across the ocean in England coaching soccer He walks into a hostile and harshly negative locker room that he determines as the first thing he wants to change about the team's culture. In search of something to inspire players to trust themselves and their teammates, he tapes to the wall a single word on bright yellow cardstock.


"Believe".


In my last days home before leaving Wisconsin for Indiana, I visited a soccer store and found a sticker of the sign. I placed it on the back of my viola case. Each time I open my case to practice or perform, I see "Believe" written in bright yellow. Whenever my practicing or performing felt like it had regressed, I reminded myself to believe in the process. Sometimes this meant nourishing my musicianship in other ways, whether it be spending time alone, or with friends or colleagues.


As musicians, I know how difficult it can be to trust that your individual progress is enough. It can be difficult to see whether or not the path you're on is the right one for you. However, when in doubt, I think that believing in the process, trusting your mentors, and (most importantly) trusting yourself is one of the best things you can do.


#2 Take a Step Back to Enjoy the Bigger Picture


When pursuing a degree in music, it can often feel as though everyone is doing more than you. Someone is performing more often, someone is practicing more, someone is working harder. Where some people may see this as intimidating, I see it as an opportunity to step back and reflect about the time spent practicing. I tend to ask myself three questions when these times occur.


  1. What have I done to improve myself?

  2. What are some issues I'm encountering?

  3. How am I going to approach these issues to best combat them?


I find that asking ourselves genuine, introspective questions can be the key to unlocking a new level of focus and dedication. As my professor says,


"We are often times dealing with complex and esoteric issues."

When we encounter these issues, communication with a mentor and staying in touch with yourself and your personal needs is key for maintaining a healthy relationship between you, your instrument, and your musicianship.


#3 Sleep.


I decided on attending the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music quite late in the college decision process. I had auditioned for eight schools and traveled as far as Boca Raton, FL to determine what school would best prepare me for my musical future. However, this late decision resulted in a less-than-optimal dorm situation. I encountered many sleepless nights and long days, as I was a 15-minute walk from the school of music and had a group of notably rambunctious neighbors. From fire alarms going off at midnight to neighbors partying until dawn, I struggled to get an adequate amount of sleep.


However, through this lack of sleep, I discovered how important sleep is to me. I learned how it impacted my mental health, my physical health, and my progress with my instrument. My professor eventually noticed that I was coming into lessons unfocused and tired. After asking me about my sleep, I told him about my struggles. He encouraged me to vouch for myself and to prioritize my own health at all times.


Musicians need sleep. We never consider ourselves athletes, but I would encourage any aspiring musician to research sports medicine and how athletes recover. We perform concerts under a unique amount of stress, and our bodies and minds need time to rest and recover. Our jobs and careers are physical, we are always using our bodies to make beautiful music, and our bodies need to be taken care of. Never be afraid to vouch for your own needs, especially if it's time for bed.


____________________________________________________________________


If any of you are considering a future in music and have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me through my "Contact" page. I would love to hear about your aspirations and goals, and I'll do my best to share what I have learned during my time as a musician.


As always, do well and be well,


Charles Kritsch

90 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

コメント


  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

© 2024 by CHARLES KRITSCH

bottom of page