Music is a hobby that should be considered a skill not an ability. In order to master it, hours and years of practice is required to master playing every note. No other profession requires as much devotion because once a person decides to put music behind their other priorities, it is difficult for one to pick it up again. I interviewed Gretchen Dekker, adjunct music director at York College and my piano studio teacher. As an active music student, I am very familiar with the responsibilities of a musician.
Getting a good music education is essential to getting a good job in the music industry. This is usually only provided by conservatories and performance arts schools. Mrs. Dekker is a Northeastern HS alumni, who traveled back and forth to take piano lessons at Peabody Conservatory. After graduating, she earned …show more content…
Creating a studio of up to 60 students was a slow process, but at the same time she had a part time church job being the organist where, eventually, she had a full time position at the church. In 1998, she transferred her job from Eastman to York College, where she has been for 14 years. There, she is an adjunct music director and teaches ear training.
“It is important to have perseverance in music because 90% of conservatory is not winning but constant learning and failing” Dekker explained, “You really need to have a thick skin and to bounce back from criticism.” According to Dekker, this is as important on the job as it is within music education because music professors get an assessment from their supervisors and students. It is extremely important to accept criticism because “the higher you go, the deeper criticism gets.” Along with getting used to criticism, applying 100% is key because someone is always working harder.
“No opportunities exist if you do not apply 100%. If you kinda like music, then music is not for you.” She
Getting a good music education is essential to getting a good job in the music industry. This is usually only provided by conservatories and performance arts schools. Mrs. Dekker is a Northeastern HS alumni, who traveled back and forth to take piano lessons at Peabody Conservatory. After graduating, she earned …show more content…
Creating a studio of up to 60 students was a slow process, but at the same time she had a part time church job being the organist where, eventually, she had a full time position at the church. In 1998, she transferred her job from Eastman to York College, where she has been for 14 years. There, she is an adjunct music director and teaches ear training.
“It is important to have perseverance in music because 90% of conservatory is not winning but constant learning and failing” Dekker explained, “You really need to have a thick skin and to bounce back from criticism.” According to Dekker, this is as important on the job as it is within music education because music professors get an assessment from their supervisors and students. It is extremely important to accept criticism because “the higher you go, the deeper criticism gets.” Along with getting used to criticism, applying 100% is key because someone is always working harder.
“No opportunities exist if you do not apply 100%. If you kinda like music, then music is not for you.” She