The Pointer UW-Stevens Point Student Newspaper
While students are getting ready for their final exams, many musicians are spending their time preparing for another type of challenge.
Students are practicing in the practice rooms for upcoming recitals while balancing their finals.
At some point during their college career, music performance majors are required to give at least one half recital and one full recital. A half recital is typically performed during junior year and requires at least 30 minutes worth of music. A full recital, typically performed during a musician’s senior year, requires a full hour of music.
The process of selecting, planning and practicing an hour and a half of music can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for many music students. In order to make this process go more smoothly, many musicians start planning well before the semester evens begins. In some instances students begin preparing to give a recital even a year in advance.
Even with plenty of preparation, it can still be difficult to balance studying for finals, finishing homework and mentally preparing to perform in front of an audience of your family, peers and professors.
Bri Trainor, senior percussion performance major, said balancing all of these responsibilities is all about planning.
“It’s time consuming and definitely not easy,” Trainor said. “It’s a lot more manageable when you plan ahead, make a practice and homework regiment, and make sure to take time for yourself.”
Although recitals are only required for performance majors, this does not prevent music education students from giving recitals of their own.
This semester Ally Evans, junior choral education major, has begun preparing for her recital, which is taking place next semester. Evans said even though she is not required to give a recital, she wants to take advantage of the time, space and opportunity to perform. Although it has been a lot of work, Evans says she would not trade the experience.
“It’s been stressful, but it’s worth it,” Evans said. “I only have to be nervous if I’m not prepared so I’m mostly excited.”
While the process of preparing for a recital can be long and challenging, said fifth year jazz performance major Adam Hatton. But the end result is more than worth it.
“It’s stressful preparing for, but it helps to prepare you for the real world,” Hatton said. “It’s a useful experience, but it definitely feels good when it’s over.”
Trainor agrees about the fulfilling aspect of recitals.
“For me, the most rewarding part is to have the audience come and support you,” Trainor says. “It’s knowing that these people all support you and what you’ve accomplished.”
Michael Schnell
Reporter
michael.schnell@uwsp.edu
