Interview with conductor Marin Alsop

UO Presents: Interview with Marin Alsop from Eska Laskus on Vimeo.

I had the privilege of interviewing Marin Alsop last month, when she came to visit Eugene. Marin is one of the most formidable conductors of our day, as well as the first woman to head a major American symphony orchestra (Baltimore Symphony). While in Eugene, she conducted a side-by-side reading of Mahler’s 9^th symphony with the University of Oregon Symphony Orchestra alongside Eugene Symphony players. She’s an incredible musician and a hugely inspiring person.

In the few minutes that I had with her, she was able to give her thoughts on some important subjects like:

·         The role of music schools in the 21^st century (00:42)

·         Biggest faulty assumptions of music students (1:43)

·         Role and importance of music career mentors (2:38)

·         On self-doubts, support systems and key to success (4:02)

·         Why Mahler 9^th? (6:08)

These are all crucial things to keep in mind if you’re a past, current or future music student. So check it out! 

Recommendations..

Beautiful fall leaves in front of the School of Music and Dance

If you haven't already, NOW is the time to start asking your teachers about recommendation letters. Teachers only get busier from now on and it's always better to have things done before the New Year. There's nothing worse than a student coming up with a last minute recommendation request in January. Think about how that might be reflected in the content of the letter! I think it's best to approach your teachers in person, with the printed out form and ready envelope (addressed and stamped). The less hassle they have, the more assurance you have that it will get to us in time. It might also save you and them a headache if you give your teacher all the recommendation forms from all the different schools at once, instead in a of a slow trickle over the next month or two.

Who should write your recommendations? People who know you and your musical development. 

Great people to ask: private teacher, band/orchestra/choir director, music theory/composition teacher, music coach, music mentor, summer music camp teacher

People who should not write your music recommendations: guidance counselor, math/english/science teacher, family member, church leader, art instructor, your neighbor (even though they've heard you practice for the past 10 years! :)

Here are the official guidelines from our website:

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: You must have TWO written recommendations submitted on your behalf. They should be from music teacher or other instructor familiar with your growth as a musician. Click here to find the undergraduate recommendation form. 

GRADUATE STUDENTS: You must have THREE written recommendations submitted on your behalf. They should be from persons who know your professional and personal qualifications, at least one of which should be from a professor in your proposed area of study. Recom­mendations must be signed, sealed, and sent by the recommender directly to the School of Music and Dance. If you have attained or will attain a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Oregon, you need only two letters. Click here to find the graduate recommendation form.

Better start addressing and stamping those envelopes!

On The Road

It’s Fall. For admission directors throughout the world, that means a five letter word: TRAVEL. I’ve visited over 30 schools and programs so far and right now I’m in the rainy, windy Seattle – hence no fancy pictures. Although the view from my hotel is fabulous! It’s nighttime and the Space Needle is all lit up! Looks kind of like this.

I wanted to write a few words about my trips and visits to high schools and how they work. If you’re one of the lucky ones, your band/choir/orchestra will host me for a brief talk about our programs here in Eugene. You will also have the opportunity to ask some questions.  (Best question today: “Can I be part of an ensemble without being a music major? – yes and no, depends on the ensemble. Most random question today: “Why the Duck?” – no idea..but will do some research:)

THEN.. the ball is in your court:

Next step: Go to the School of Music and Dance website to read any and all information you can find there, especially under the admissions tab.  Hey! You are already here- you are off to a good start!

Next: Fill out our online interest card

Next: Establish personal contact. Write to music admission staff (yours truly or wonderful Jessica Wilson, my assistant). Send an email to a faculty member who interests you. Here is my tip for the day: music admission staff can generally tell you more about the application process and the school in general. BUT if you want to know the nitty gritty details no one else knows, EMAIL THE FACULTY. Our professors are friendly and responsive. They would love to tell you more about the particular program in which you are interested (e.g. insides of the trumpet studio, alumni success rate of musicology grads, etc.). They can also connect you with current students.

Next: Set up a visit, schedule a lesson. I cannot stress enough how important this step is! There are so many things to do once you are here.  In addition to tours and lessons, there are rehearsals and classes to visit, master classes to sit in on, and concerts to attend. If you cannot visit, make sure you check out the virtual tour of campus and listen in on a performance (which we’ll broadcast live at the end of the month). Some of our faculty use Skype, so if you are really far away, do not hesitate to ask.

Next: Get all your application materials ready. Practice your audition repertoire. Fill out the application. Notify recommenders. Send it all in to us by January 15^th (or January 2^nd,  if you’re a grad student).

Next step: Audition with confidence.

Next step: Relax.

Next step: Decide. Receive audition results and decide where to spend your next four years! J

As it gets closer, I will write more about the decision process and the important things that you should keep in mind when choosing which school is right for you.

First week of school!

It’s a beautiful day in Eugene and the practice rooms have finally returned to life. Right now, I’m listening to some intensive scales on a clarinet, a pianist playing a Chopin ballade, and a violist practicing some excerpts. As I mentioned in my previous blog entry, we have some VERY exciting events coming up next week. If you’ve been browsing our admissions pages, you have probably noticed that one of my biggest passions is to unfold the myriad of ways in which artists today can have successful careers in music. It just so happened that right off the bat we have two very inspiring seminars, one by a renowned flutist and one by an entrepreneurial saxophone player. Please check out our careers page to get the full scoop. (As I write this, a trumpet player has joined our bustling practice rooms. Scales seem to be high on the priority list for today..) On another note, this weekend we have a Bodymapping workshop, in which students will explore the structures of their bodies and learn how to fine-tune their coordination. Hopefully this will result in more expressivity and less fatigue during performances.  How exciting! Expect pictures next week!

Hello Everyone

So, here it is: my first blog entry. I have wanted to start blogging since the beginning of internet time. After years of procrastination and false starts, the opportunity has finally arrived! I’m thrilled to start keeping you in the loop on student life here at the School of Music and Dance (henceforth referred to as “SOMD”), application updates, audition tips, Q&A sessions with our amazing faculty, and much more. I guess to start with, I should introduce myself. I grew up in Poland and moved to the States at age ten. I play violin and live with a cute little mutt, Oskar. I just moved to Eugene this summer and here are my 5 favorite things so far: Drastic Improvement in Commute Time: 1.5hrs in LA -> 6-7 minutes in Eugene Daily Deer and Wild Turkey Sightings. Baby deer are ridiculously cute, turkeys are a close runner up. EcoMadness. I’ve never been to a greener, more eco-friendly place, e.g. my office paper recycling bin has three compartments: white paper, mixed paper, and colored paper. Weekend Activities. Ongoing series of weekend festivals: Music, Wine, Arts, Folk, Country . . . you name it, we’ve got it! Free Poetry. In the little sidewalk containers that usually hold realty flyers with property information, I find “To Autumn” by John Keats.  (I just had to!) Blackberries. No, not the phones, I mean the fruit! I had no idea that berries priced at $5 a pint in L.A. could be free and so abundant here in the Northwest. Also, know that when I am not at work, you can probably find me loading up on raspberries at the Saturday farmer’s market, broadening my culinary skills with unusual local vegetables, or spending way too much time at the dog park. Now about SOMD: classes don’t officially start until Sept 27, but such great things are around the corner that I can’t resist giving you a sneak peak. Workshops like the one entitled: “How to have a career as a classical saxophonist (without joining the army)” and masterclasses with world-renowned flutist Luis Julio Toro and conductor Andrew Bisantz will keep us busy in October.. Curious? Please come and check out my next post! P.S. I just found out that our gospel choir won 1st place (beating out top choirs from around the country) in the Disney Choir Fest in Epcot Park, Florida. They then performed at the Magic Kingdom in front of several thousand people!!

Welcome!

My name is Eska Laskus and I'm the new Director of Admissions and Recruitment for the School of Music and Dance. I'm thrilled to join this amazing institution! The beauty of the school, the warmth and intelligence of all the faculty and staff and the vibrant community of Eugene have all made me feel truly welcome and at home.  As I get settled into this new position, I have discovered that I am joining the school at the end of an eventful academic year.  I am delighted by the number of recent student accomplishments, including:

• A performance of contemporary music theater in Berlin, Germany at the Konzerthaus
• Performance at the annual Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, CA
• Recipient of the prestigious Alvin H. Johnson AMS 50 Dissertation Fellowship
• The award for best Jazz Arrangement from the leading jazz publication Downbeat Magazine
• Top prize winners at the OMTA piano competition and MTNA northwest competition
• Graduates continuing their education at Juilliard, Rice, University of Maryland
• Faculty positions won at University of South Carolina, University of Idaho, Rice University, Vienna Conservatory in Austria and Indiana University among others. 

We look ahead to another exciting year that will include a choir tour to Estonia and Finland, the celebrated Chamber Music@Beall series, and distinguished artists such as flutist Luis Julio Toro from Venezuela and the renowned conductor Marin Alsop in a side-by-side concert with the Eugene Symphony. Personally, I am also looking forward to kicking back and listening to some groovy tunes at our weekly Jazz Café and participating in the frenzy of the grand Festival of Bands which happens every year at our very own Autzen Stadium. Also in the works are career preparation seminars that we will be hosting for our students and alumni. We will feature outstanding alumni and visiting artists who will talk about their career paths and offer insightful tips and strategies for having a successful career in music.

As the year starts, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions that you might have about our school, our programs or the School of Music and Dance application. I hope that you will find the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance every bit as inspiring as I do and that I can make the college application process, whether you are a student, parent or a teacher, as smooth and easy as possible, perhaps even somewhat enjoyable.

I look forward to meeting you and keeping in touch throughout the year!

All the best,

Eska Laskus
Director of Admissions and Recruitment
School of Music and Dance
University of Oregon

P.S. Please be on the lookout for my new Admissions Blog, where I'll post our latest admission events, application tips, faculty interviews and my reflections as I travel to different schools and college fairs this year.