krossum

TM-

Ed, thank you for moderating duties here at TM. Truly appreciated. I’m posting in here because of the recent College job threads that have also been posted in this forum.

There are routes other than the typical College/University path that can lead to a successful musical career. All I can offer is my own experiences. Hopefully people can gain some insight into their own situation and career through my brief scholastic narrative…

First of all, I have a problem taking anonyminity seriously on the internet - so you can check my legitimacy at:
www.krossum.com

1996.
As I began my DMA studies at the University of Minnesota, I wanted to earn a supplemental income through teaching private lessons to younger students. Since I was more or less coming from Texas at the time, where many high schools hire private instructors for their students, I figured I would be able to find a similar job here in Minneapolis. Within a couple of months I heard of an opening downtown at some place called MacPhail Center for the Arts. I had no idea what this place was, and frankly, I didn’t really care, I just wanted to teach some kids on the side.

I called them up and sent them my resume and they scheduled an interview and audition for the following week. I was wondering why they wanted me to come downtown for the interview process – I didn’t think there were any large high schools in the area. They told me to come up to the 3rd floor of the center and to wait out in the hallway. Upon arrival the place was this old department store looking building that was pretty quiet (it was 1 or so in the afternoon during the week). After seeing another grad student come out of the room, I was asked to come in.

First I played a couple of solos and excerpts that I had under my belt. Then I taught two sample lessons, one with a beginning adult and another one with a high school student. I was of course very relaxed and calm, yet engaging and polite throughout the lessons. Then there was a 40 minute interview by committee with some faculty and administration. This was when I began to be suspicious of what this “Center” really was. The interview went really well. I basically just answered their questions and was clear about my DMA studies as being my priority as compared to teaching. They seemed OK with that at the time and I shook their hands and left.

On the way out of the building, I noticed a large rack of catalogs/brochures/schedules downstairs in the Lobby by a service counter. THIS ENTIRE BUILDING IS A MUSIC SCHOOL!! Sh#t, what have I gotten myself into?!?!

They offered me the trumpet instructor job and I accepted. I would take over the current studio of SIX students. No problem! That would fit in perfectly - one evening a week during my grad school. Great!

1999.
I’m ABD and digging deeper and deeper into a fascinating scene here in Minneapolis. School was shelved and I began full time at the newly named “MacPhail Center for Music.” The trumpet studio was up to about 24 students and I was teaching all kinds of miscellaneous classes at MacPhail: music composition, general music, beginning theory, Jr. and Sr. High band, jazz combos, I even subbed as the teacher for a Choir rehearsal! MacPhail is a community music school, I believe it is the second or third largest in the country, and is a leading member of the community school guild (I don’t remember the specific name of this guild, apologies). As public schools continually cut back on their funding, these schools are helping to fill the music education needs of the community. It was about this time that I “bought-in” to the mission of the school – transforming lives and enriching our community through music education. Cool.

2000.
Dissatisfied with the direction my musical career was headed, I essentially quit all freelance gigs and focused on my jazz composing and performing. This was one of the best moves I’ve ever made. It’s all about choices. My teaching was enough to pay the rent, so I dove into the music that I really loved – jazz.

2003.
Started officially designing a Jazz Program at MacPhail…

2005.
I finally decided to solve two situations with one move, or to “kill two birds with one stone.” I took a semester off of active teaching to finish my DMA degree. By doing this, I satisfied my own sense of commitment to the degree and I was able to cut back on the miscellaneous teaching activities at work. Upon my return to MacPhail, in the spring of 2006, I was able to focus exclusively on building the Jazz Program and maintaining my studio.

2007 - Today.
I am running a very successful program in the heart of a wonderful music scene while at the same time maintaining a flexible schedule that allows touring and recording – essential to my performance career. Plus, MacPhail Center for Music is building a brand new, state of the art facility that will open hopefully early next year. There will be a new rehearsal room on the sixth floor, overlooking the Mississippi river with walls of glass... it has been designated the Jazz rehearsal room… no kidding!

Stay on a path – but don’t feel like you have to follow in someone else’s footsteps.

Happy New Year.

-Kelly

__________________
“This art is acquired only by laborious studies, for the rebellious nature of the instrument demands a great aptitude coupled with a persevering willingness to become a master of it.” – F.G.A. Dauverné (1857)

Khora

Kelly-

What a great post. There are always alternative routes out there, but one needs to look up from the beaten path to see them. It takes courage, or self-confidence, (or are they actually completely intertwined?) but the feeling of accomplishment is unparalleled! Congratulations on a path well chosen and job well done! And best of luck as the program moves even further along.

Sandy

krossum

Khora-

Thank you for your kind reply. I’ve enjoyed reading your thoughtful posts on other threads – best of luck to you with your own endeavors as well :)

Peace.
-Kelly

__________________
“This art is acquired only by laborious studies, for the rebellious nature of the instrument demands a great aptitude coupled with a persevering willingness to become a master of it.” – F.G.A. Dauverné (1857)

ecarroll

Kelly,

I loved reading your post and feel with the loss of funding for many in-school music programs that private teaching is one of our few growth industries.

My wife went through the painstaking process of being accredited by the national Suzuki Federation some years back and she now sees a raft of young pianists here in our home (basement studio, thankfully). She's worked extensively with handicapped students as well.

My favorite weeks of teaching have been having trumpet students come from around the world to stay with us for a week at a time in the summer. We typically have 3 hours together over the course of the day. That, coupled with immediate practice, makes for serious growth. I didn't do this last summer due to Chosen Vale, my summer program in California, and some badly needed downtime, but we're renovating the room over our garage as a trumpet/recording studio and I hope to be able to do this again sometime in the future (?)

Sometimes it's best to build it yourself, as you well know...

Cheers,
EC