The Symphony of Graduate School: A Humorous Ode to Advanced Music Degrees

Ah, the advanced music degree. It’s the crème de la crème of academic pursuits for those who view the term "practicing scales" not as a chore, but as a lifestyle choice. For those who dream of crafting symphonies while chowing down on ramen noodles, welcome to the melodious journey of graduate school in music. If you’re considering this path, let me paint a picture for you—a picture filled with grandeur, caffeine, and the occasional emotional breakdown.

The Prelude: Why Go for the Advanced Degree?

Imagine yourself at a dinner party. You're the life of the party, regaling tales of Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony while everyone else stares blankly into their cocktails. Why? Because you’ve dedicated your life to a craft so niche that the mere mention of it instantly makes you the most interesting person in the room—or at least the most (fill in the blank).

Getting an advanced degree in music isn’t just about perfecting your craft or achieving that elusive “musical transcendence” moment. No, it’s also about proving to the world that you’re so passionate about music that you’re willing to endure hours of rehearsal, public performances that make you question your sanity, and, of course, copious amounts of caffeine.

However, one of the most significant advantages of pursuing an advanced music degree is the profound opportunity it provides for specialized skill development and mastery. An advanced degree program immerses students in an environment tailored to their particular musical interests, whether it's performance, composition, music theory, or music education.

This focused training not only refines technical abilities and artistic expression but also deepens theoretical understanding, allowing for innovative approaches to music. Moreover, advanced study often includes access to distinguished mentors and industry professionals, offering invaluable networking opportunities and insights into the music world that are crucial for career advancement. The combination of expert guidance, rigorous practice, and a supportive academic community equips graduates with the expertise and confidence needed to excel at the highest levels of their chosen fields.

The Challenges: A Symphony of Struggles

1. The Never-Ending Rehearsals: You thought you’d escape practice hours after undergrad? Think again. In graduate school, you’ll spend so much time rehearsing that you’ll start dreaming in 4/4 time. Your metronome will become your best friend, and you’ll know the nuances of your instrument better than your own reflection.

2. The Dissertation Dilemma: Ah, the dissertation—essentially a 100-300-page opus about a topic that probably only 12 people in the world care about. The challenge here is to write something so groundbreaking that it makes everyone question their musical knowledge. Spoiler alert: even after you submit it, you’ll likely still be questioning it yourself.

3. The Performance Pressure Cooker: If you thought your undergraduate performances were nerve-wracking, welcome to the graduate level, where every mistake is magnified, and every note is analyzed under a microscope. Forget butterflies; you’ll have a whole zoo of critters in your stomach.

4. The Funding Fiasco: Graduate school is like trying to make a blockbuster movie on a shoestring budget. You’ll get creative with your funding—think bake sales, crowdfunding campaigns, and maybe even that mysterious “mystical scholarship” that seems to only exist in your dreams.

5. The Professor’s Perplexity: Navigating your relationship with your advisor can be a full-time job. Picture this: you’re trying to decipher their cryptic feedback on your latest composition while simultaneously managing your imposter syndrome. Good luck. Remember, professors are human too—albeit ones with very high standards.

The Interlude: The Joys of Music School

Amidst the madness, there are moments of pure joy. Like when you finally nail that tricky passage you’ve been working on for weeks, or when you and your peers share a knowing glance during a particularly intense ensemble performance. The camaraderie, the collective passion, and the occasional, “Did you hear that? That was phenomenal!”—these are the moments that make the grind worthwhile.

I dare not forget to highlight the terrific opportunities that come from performing a vast number of repertoires in various ensembles in music schools- this continuum of collaborative teaching transcends skills that one cannot gain in isolation.

The Crescendo: The Rewarding Finale

At the end of the day, the advanced degree is less about the degree itself and more about the journey. It’s about discovering parts of yourself you never knew existed, pushing the boundaries of your creativity, and, yes, occasionally questioning your sanity while surrounded by a group of equally passionate (and slightly irrational) individuals.

You’ll emerge from this journey not just with a degree but with a symphony of experiences, a portfolio of triumphs and tribulations, and a profound appreciation for the art form you’ve dedicated your life to. So here’s to the graduate music students out there: may your rehearsals be productive, your performances triumphant, and your coffee always within arm’s reach.

In the grand symphony of life, you’re composing your magnum opus. Bravo, and break a leg—metaphorically, of course.

Solomon Abang