PG. 8
PG. 2
FLYING WITHOUT CRYING: TIPS FROM PAUL KATZ
MEET A FEW OF NEC'S INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
SHOULD WE RANK OUR MUSIC SCHOOLS?
PG. 6 PG. 12 8 PG.
PG. 13
PG. 4
(WE'LL FIND A PHOTO FOR THIS LATER.)
HOW TO ACCOMPLISH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
WILL SMITH ON FINDING THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE
THE PENGUIN
ISSUE 59
APRIL 10, 2014
N E C ’ S S T U D E N T- R U N N E W S PA P E R
This month, in between attending five recitals a day, you might have heard the phrase "It Gets Even Better" floating around campus, referring to the awesome LGBTQA campaign taking place April 7-11. Here at The Penguin, we think this is perfect timing because April marks our annual International Issue. This year, we're rolling both events into one to create one gigantic issue about DIVERSITY. We're celebrating each and every one of the faces that bring beauty to NEC's stages on a daily basis. Several of our staff writers step out of their comfort
zones this month to share their personal stories. Oboist Will Smith joins us for the first time to talk about his two love affairs. Read about a few of the international students you've been meaning to say hi to. Or, if you need a break from this month's serious theme, check out Syd's hilarious pro-procrastination tips on page 5. We're already gearing up for the LAST (gasp!) issue of the year, so if you've been waiting for your moment to shine, this is it! Email us at thepenguin@necmusic.edu to make your voice heard.
penguin CULTURE Leap of Hate
by RALEY BEGGS Second-year MM Guitar
I became involved in music through a set of strange and unfor-
someone changed so quickly and so dramatically in the eyes of
tunate circumstances. Late by many standards, I began studying
my peers. And like all things that lack explanation, this change
music 10 years ago. I was thirteen years old.
needed a word. The only word in the preteen vocabulary that
could accurately describe and solve the mystery of my Marilyn
Before this massive shift occurred in my life, I took the
game of baseball most seriously. I was convinced my daily prac-
Manson transformation was this: “gay.”
tice would lead me to become a
professional baseball player by
learned: kids are ruthless
the time I was a “grown up.” My
when they are given a target
friends and I agreed that middle
to direct their negative energy.
school was just a minor incon-
People who were happy to see
venience that interrupted our
me just a few months earlier
baseball practices. Later I dis-
began screaming and yell-
covered skateboarding, another
ing the very worst of names.
activity in which I spent many
They discovered quickly that if
hours in the quest for perfection,
you’re the one doing the point-
so that by the time I was thir-
ing and screaming, no one’s
teen, what I had thought was the
looking at you. The first prior-
clear cut path to fame and riches
ity of my “old friends” was to
on a baseball diamond began
prove beyond any shadow
to shift. Why couldn’t I take a similar path in skateboarding?
First hard lesson
of a doubt that they were not A YOUNGER RALEY (STOLEN FROM HIS FACEBOOK PROFILE)
Most importantly, which would
like me anymore. Meanwhile, I discovered quickly that we
be more fun? Like most kids that age, I began to rebel.
don’t always define our own story; it can get defined for us by
the speaker with the loudest and most convincing voice. This
Here’s what my “rebellion” looked like: I quit baseball,
I quit hanging out with my old friends - affectionately labeled
behavior spread like wildfire, leaving me with no control over
“jocks” - and started drifting to some new ones. These new
what people chose to yell. Difficult for an 8th grader, but typical
friends were off the deep end in the middle school catalog of
enough.
cliques, and at the opposite end of the same spectrum. We’re
talking long hair, black nail polish – the works.
of kids. When rosy-cheeked Susie went home to tell her parents
about the new and improved “fag” at school, her parents lost it.
For some reason, this shocked people. Never had
2
APRIL 10, 2014
Second hard lesson learned: adults are taller versions
You see, Florida in the early 2000s didn’t have quite the same
ty for me, but what could I do short of asking my family to move?
patience and tolerance one might expect from fully-formed,
Who might offer tolerance and a listening ear for my side of this
sentient adults. They demanded answers from the school. The
fiasco?
school, being also located in Florida, never asked any input on
Maybe, just maybe, the arts magnet school would be a safe next
the matter from me or my single mother, and decided the best
step. Wearily I was bought a guitar to practice on for the sum-
course of action would be to suspend me and any other shock-
mer in hopes of gaining admittance into a discipline I had never
rockers causing the “ruckus”.
heard of before: classical guitar. I practiced every day, like I
Feel free to imagine now, my mother’s surprise.
did baseball the summer before. After months of work I finally
Things sped up from there since I was no longer at
learned “two scales and a ‘finger style’ song on guitar”; exactly
school to attempt the role of gatekeeper for any misinformation
what the audition requirements demanded. Two days before the
regarding my “sinful decline,” leaving middle school children the
start of all high schools, I was allowed a special audition and
pen to write my story to share with friends, family, and neigh-
was miraculously granted a spot in the classical guitar program;
bors. It was concluded in my small world that the best way to
less for the talent and more for the “potential”.
handle and mend my new situation would be to erase the whole
The first day of high school, my energy and work ethic was
experience by choosing to finish my remaining nine weeks in a
given direction. I received a nylon string classical guitar and
middle school across town. Right?
was, ironically, instructed to grow out my fingernails. The rest is
history.
Wrong. As it turns out, stories can travel as far as
“across town” and I arrived at my new school to a situation
exponentially worse. I had ditched the offending persona as
the disdain and intolerance I experienced leading up to my
quickly as I had tried it on, but the names and stories remained
discovery of music. I grew up very quickly during this time,
– only much worse. With little left to do, I bit my lip and finished
and learned about the tendency for people to mask their own
the remaining weeks of middle school with a brand new per-
insecurities and shortcomings through loud, convincing criticism;
spective on just how evil people – of all ages – can be.
criticism who’s subject is often of the same category as their own
insecurities.
Here’s where the music part comes in. With the summer
I owe every bit of my involvement in music today to
as respite from my peers, I was faced with another decision fea-
Though this may not be a story of coming out, given our
turing this key point: both middle schools funneled into the same
celebration this month I feel strongly that I embody the message
district high school. Going there seemed a downright impossibili-
and can say with honesty and passion that it gets better.
It Gets EVEN Better! Celebrating our our LGBTQA Community BUY A RIBBON! DONATE TO THE TREVOR PROJECT! The Trevor Project provides services for LGBTQ youth including anti-bullying, suicide prevention, and crisis intervention. $1 support ribbons will be sold from 11:30-2:00 at Beethoven and from 2:005:00 at the SAC today and tomorrow (April 10 and 11).
WEAR PURPLE! Wear purple tomorrow (Friday) in support of LGBTQA Awareness!
MAKE A VIDEO! FROM STUDENT SERVICES: "LAST WEEK WE CAME INTO THE OFFICE AND FOUND A GROUP OF SELFIE SIGNS ON OUR COUNTER. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHO DID THEM. IT WASN'T ANYONE FROM OUR OFFICE OR THE EM OFFICE. WHOEVER YOU ARE, MYSTERY SIGN PERSON, WE THINK YOU ARE PRETTY AWESOME!
Throughout Friday afternoon, we will tape a video modeled after the It Gets Better series. The video will also include a group shot to be filmed on the steps of Jordan Hall at 11:50 am. All are welcome!
WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM
3
Finding the Love of My Life
by WILL SMITH MM Oboist '15
This issue of The Penguin is centered on NEC’s “It Gets Even
shocking, but this world totally exists! I learned about it because
Better” campaign. So, when Kate asked me to write something
a boy offered to show it to me, and I had to let him. I had been
I knew exactly why: I’m pretty obviously a homosexual. My
in a relationship with a woman since the sixth grade! I didn’t
favorite color is purple, I have the “gay fade” haircut, six ear
even come out to my best friend until I was a senior in high
piercings, a wrist tattoo, and basically the only thing I talk about
school! I just had to know what it felt like to be in a relationship
is my love of J.Crew and decorating my apartment (chandeliers
with another guy. Y’all...it was amazing! Way better than even
are a necessity). So, the fact that my mother still asks me, “Have
the oboe! So, I started ignoring my lady. I couldn’t help it! This
you met the woman of your dreams
guy was everything I thought I ever wanted
yet?” is always a bit shocking.
and she just took so much time away from
us being together. Well, she noticed. She
However, she would be de-
lighted to know that I have been in
kept warning me, “If you keep ignoring
a very dedicated relationship with a
me, our relationship will fail! We’ve been
woman since the age of 11. I know
together since you were 11, Will. Why
that sounds strange, but this is NEC:
give up on me now?” I just couldn’t help
a gay man dating a woman for 11
but be distracted by this boy and the world
years is not the craziest thing that is
where people did things other than playing
happening around here. So in the
their instruments!
spirit of this week’s campaign, I ask
that you kindly reserve your judg-
know. Maybe I’m weird for doing this…
ment and let me tell you about the
but I refer to (and speak to) my oboe as
love of my life.
if she were a woman. I know that sounds
strange, but like I said, this is NEC—it’s not
She showed me how to be
myself—how to express my inner feelings and emotions in a way no
PHOTO COURTESY OF BAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Oh, there’s something else you should
the craziest thing that is happening around here. Needless to say, things got very
girl ever had before. It started out as all obnoxious love stories
difficult between my oboe and me. So difficult, in fact, that my
do. We spent hours together every single day and became the
teacher suggested that I not apply for graduate programs be-
best of friends. We took numerous trips together across cities,
cause she didn’t think I was ready. But, by some miracle, I was
states, and countries. Throughout high school, our relationship
accepted to NEC and there was no way I was going to turn it
was easy and took almost no effort on my part. When I won
down. Unfortunately, that boy and I had some issues that could
awards, when I lost awards: she was with me. After graduating
only be solved if I hadn’t moved halfway across the country. We
high school, she and I slowly began spending less time together
have now gone our separate ways, but I wouldn’t trade my time
because of my busy schedule and preparing to leave for col-
with him for absolutely anything! I will always be grateful to him
lege. I wasn’t worried though; she was coming with me! So,
for showing me a world outside of my music.
when August arrived, I packed up my car and drove to college
Thankfully, as I told you earlier, I’ve known the love of
with my lady by my side.
my life since the sixth grade. She did come to Boston with me.
Many of you are currently or were once undergradu-
She is actually the reason I’m here! One of the best things I’ve
ates at one of the most prestigious music conservatories in the
learned since coming to NEC is that the oboe and I are meant
world. Well, I wasn’t. I got my undergraduate degree at Baylor
to be together. Still, I encourage you to experience the real
University...in Waco,Texas. Sic’em Bears! While at Baylor, I
world. Go fall in love! Learn about what is happening outside of
discovered that there is a whole other world full of people who
the practice room! But never forget that you are here to cultivate
do many, many things other than spending hours fighting with
a relationship you have been in for many years. You’re here to
an inanimate object in a room with no windows. I know it’s
nurture the love of your life.
4
APRIL 10, 2014
Guide to Being an International Student A WANDER THROUGH SHARED HERITAGE ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY
by ANDREW NISSEN First-year GD Trombone
When I first moved to the U.S. two and a half years ago to
the student will be able to ride the subway efficiently, identify
complete a degree in New York City, I had to attend a long
local slang, recognize local holidays.” This list continued at
international student orientation. It was fun. I got to meet lots of
six-month intervals all the way to graduation, which featured a
new students just like me, and it enabled me to connect not just
complete theoretical assimilation into the local culture.
with students from within the U.S. but from all over the world.
We also got free stuff, and free stuff is important to any student
abroad are looking not just to enrich their academic education,
(even if it is only some pencils and a notepad).
but also their life experiences. The only problem is, I’ve found
the aforementioned booklet to be lacking in completeness.
One of the most important documents at the orientation
That’s all well and good, too. Most students who travel
seminar was what I would call the “assimilation booklet." This
Therefore, I will use my opportunity on the soapbox to add to
booklet was filled with lots of local tips on things like how to do
the list of things that will help any international student better
taxes and how to catch the subway. It also featured a cool bul-
assimilate into the local culture.
letpoint list filled with timed goals such as,“Within six months,
So, here goes…
WITHIN SIX MONTHS, THE STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO:
• Recognize that Thanksgiving mainly exists to prepare for the oncoming winter by feasting at previously unseen proportions.
• Accept the fact that the season of fall last for roughly 2.6 days in Boston.
• Efficiently use quarters for their one true purpose: laundry.
WITHIN ONE YEAR, THE STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO:
• Understand that English, either in it’s original or it’s American form, has little rhyme or reason eg. The saying “I could care
less” means the opposite of what it implies literally, and the correct form should be “I couldn’t care less.”
• Imitate the local dialect at fast food or retail outlets so as to expedite the checkout process and avoid “accent rage”.
• Meditate on the fact that the T may never be on time, but it always provides an interesting journey.
WITHIN EIGHTEEN MONTHS, THE STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO:
• Exploit their accent in times of need ie. appear a tourist, or non-resident when necessary.
• Survive the Boston summer humidity and lose all sense of shame at sweating completely through their clothes.
• Make peace with returning to another year of school accepting the fact that you didn’t get nearly as much
accomplished over the summer as you told everyone you would.
WITHIN TWO YEARS, THE STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO:
• Learn to distrust the weatherman when they jovially exclaim that spring is just around the corner. It isn’t. Winter will never
end, and it’s not like Disney’s Frozen at all.
• Finish the larger serving sizes on offer in the U.S. and still have room to spare for dessert.
• Blend in, be inconspicuous – a local. For there are none so devoted as the converted. The land you adopted has finally
adopted you back.
WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM
5
MEET YOUR CLASSMATES (from all over the world!)
LIHI HARUVI
MM '15 JAZZ PERFORMANCE | GAN-YAVNE, ISRAEL What do you miss most about home? My family, the weather, and those sunny days that bring people out of their houses. | Why did you want to come to the US? The level of studies and the variety of musicianship in the US is like no other. | How is American culture different from your home culture? In American culture there is a lot of instant: fast food, technology, etc. Everything is in quick reach. | What's your favorite part of NEC/ Boston? I love that Boston is full of art, culture, science, and inspiration. NEC is a truly a family in which everybody knows everybody and helps each other grow.
THIAGO GOMES
MM '15 JAZZ GUITAR | Sﾃグ PAULO, BRAZIL What do you miss most about home? My family and the food, especially feijoada and churrasco! | Why did you want to come to the US? To learn jazz with Miguel Zenon and Frank Carlberg. | What's your favorite part of NEC? My favorite part of NEC is how much the students love to jam and have sessions.
SO YOUNG PARK
'14 ARTIST DIPLOMA, OPERA STUDIES | PUSAN, SOUTH KOREA What do you miss most about home? I miss everything about Korea, including my family, friends, and voice teacher, but the thing I miss the most is Korean food. I can talk or FaceTime with people while I'm here, but my craving for Korean food can never be satisfied. I can't wait to go back to Korea this summer to eat real Korean food! | Why did you want to come to the US? I wanted to learn opera on the stage, not just in class. Having at least two full productions every year at NEC is an amazing opportunity for me since I only had one opera every two years in Korean college. | How is American culture different from your home culture? One of the most shocking things for me is the idea of age. Age is very important in Korea, and people always try to figure out age differences. But here, people usually don't care about that and treat everyone as a friend. I love this idea a lot! | What's your favorite part of NEC/Boston? Because Boston has a lot of students, it's always fresh and energetic, which makes me feel young and positive. I like the bright energy of this city.
6
APRIL 10, 2014
PAOLA MOLINA
MM '15 CLASSICAL GUITAR PERFORMANCE | GUATEMALA What do you miss most about home? Absolutely, I miss my family and the weather. Guatemala is known as an everlasting spring country where snow never falls. Why did you want to come to the US? I came to learn how to master the classical guitar and to advance in my career as an international performer with my twin sister. | How is American culture different from your home culture? I have noticed that American people usually show an open-minded attitude towards diversity, probably because the US is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan countries. What's your favorite part of NEC/Boston? Boston is a big center of arts; music is in the air and it is breathable. At NEC, I have had the opportunity to learn from great musicians and first-rate professors.
i
EVELYN MOLINA
s n i tw
i
MM '15 CLASSICAL GUITAR PERFORMANCE | GUATEMALA
What do you miss most about home? I miss my family and homemade meals, which are usually accompanied by fresh and juicy fruits (there are plenty of them in Guatemala all year long!)| Why did you want to come to the US? I came to pursue a specialization in classical guitar and to discover Boston not only from a musician’s perspective but also from an architectural point of view. | How is American culture different from your home culture? I have noticed American people are interested in improving their quality of life, especially on weekends when they visit museums and theaters and spend time jogging in green areas. Guatemalan people are usually very friendly and warm when welcoming foreigners. | What's your favorite part of NEC/Boston? I truly appreciate the professors’ interest and guidance in developing the full potential of students, not only in becoming better musicians, but also in becoming more knowledgeable and resourceful.
LUIS RUELAS ROMO
'15 COMPOSITION | LEON, MEXICO Why did you want to come to the US? I wanted to grow as much as I could as a musician and learn things that I just would never be able to in Mexico. With quite a bit of research and a little luck, I ended up here in Boston, and I am very glad I did. | How is American culture different from your home culture? People tend to be a little more individualistic [in America]. In Mexico it is common for people to be friendlier; for example, the whole idea of “self-service" is very uncommon. The idea of family has a stronger priority among Mexicans. Also, lunch is the most important and biggest meal in Mexico, and it happens between 2-4pm. It is very common for businesses to close between those times so people can take their lunch break; some people even go back home to eat lunch together with their family, then they go back to work at 4pm and usually work until 8pm. | What's your favorite part of NEC/Boston? I personally love the contrast between the old and the new that one can experience here in Boston. I especially like the North End's narrow streets-- they make me feel as if I was in some city in Europe or something, while being just minutes away from downtown.
WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM
7
flying without crying by Paul Katz, Professor of Cello and Chamber Music Editor's note: Although I thank my lucky stars every time I neatly tuck my flute into the overhead bin of an airplane, I've heard many airline horror stories from my not-so-fortunate colleagues. Musicians have suffered at the hands of airlines for too long, but the rest of the world is finally beginning to pay attention (ever seen the YouTube video "United Breaks Guitars"?). When Professor of Cello and Chamber Music Paul Katz wrote a letter to the editor, the Boston Globe published his nightmarish story. His original piece appears on the right, and Professor Katz was kind enough to offer advice for those of you who will be taking off soon. Planning on flying with your instrument this summer? School will
soon be out and we will be returning home and dispersing to a
Rights, enacted by Congress in February, 2012, gives musicians
myriad of summer music programs dotting the planet. You prob-
the right to take instruments onboard! Guitarists, violinists, even
ably already know that there is no guaranteed, problem-free way
violists, now have the right by law to take their instrument on
to travel with an instrument. Miss Cello and I have taken many
board, and are not required to check it in baggage or pay extra.
thousands of flights together over the past 45 years, yet even with
Musicians with larger instruments, such as cellos, also have the
all our experience, each trip remains a gamble, a roll of the dice,
right to take an instrument on board, though we must pay for a
beyond our control.
seat. But this is still progress – how many times have I been greet-
ed at the cabin door with, "You can't take that thing on here!"
But knowledge can minimize risk. It's important to know
Important and not widely known: A new Passenger Bill of
your travel options, your passenger rights, the government and
airline regulations, and be informed and prepared for the
even buy a seat for our baby are gone forever. Except...many
inevitable...trouble!
cabin crews are not aware of these new regulations. So it is im-
portant to print the law and carry it with you:
When I was in the fourth grade, my mother urged me to
Theoretically, the days that we could be told we cannot
play flute rather than cello-- "so much easier to carry, Paul." If it's
http://cellobello.com/blog/index.php/flying-with-your-cello-
not too late, consider my mother's advice. But should you choose
print-the-faa-passengers-bill-of-rights-to-carry-with-you/
to ignore her (as I did), here are some important tips for flying:
(continued on page 10)
8
APRIL 10, 2014
FLICKR/MODENADUDE
AIRLINE NIGHTMARE
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM CELLOBELLO.COM In a state of panic and fearing catastrophe, I am writing this midflight as I travel from Calgary, Alberta, to Los Angeles on American Airlines. I thought I did everything right: bought two seats, a ticket for myself and one for my Andrea Guarneri cello made in 1669. I checked in, got two boarding passes, and went to the boarding gate without problem. It all went smoothly — the cello and I were even pre-boarded — one of the easier of the literally thousands of flights we have taken together. Until . . . As the cabin begins to fill, the flight crew informs me that this is a “code-share” flight, and that although I have an AA ticket, the plane is operated by WestJet, and my cello is not allowed. (Cellists beware: WestJet not only code-shares with American, but with carriers including Korean Air, Delta Air Lines, and Japan Airlines.) Of course, I object, at first pleasantly, eventually vociferously — to no avail. What can you bring aboard? It depends. In desperation, I try the overhead luggage bin. The cello is too big. “What about the coat closet?” I ask. “Sorry, sir. This aircraft has no closet.” I get testy, and the captain appears. I suggest strapping the cello into the (assigned and paid-for) seat and letting him inspect it for safety. But I am asking the impossible: The cello is not allowed, he informs me. Check the cello in baggage or get off the plane. That’s my choice. “Sweet,” I say. “If I get off, how will you get me there?" “Please understand, sir, the cello will not be allowed on any other WestJet aircraft.” “Will you put me on another airline?” “That will be your own responsibility.” My mind races: If there is another carrier that flies its own planes to LA (and I know of no way to check), two one-way tickets bought at the gate would be más o menos [more or less] $2,000. And it’s late afternoon. Is there even another plane today?
“Hurry up, sir. We cannot delay departure.” So I do the unthinkable — hand my love of 45 years to a baggage handler, a nice guy who promises he will rope it down so it will not bounce, and it will be delivered to me by hand in Los Angeles. The violent takeoff on a bumpy runway and ensuing turbulence — beverage service has just been discontinued — make me realize I have made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I am near nervous breakdown; my imagination is out of control. I see my cello in pieces, fingerboard off, cracks in the back and — worst of all — the bridge pushed through the top. Turbulence now seems to be over, but I cannot calm myself. The flight attendant is now becoming concerned for me; she gives me a free sandwich, but it’s one of the only times in my life I can’t eat. She sees that I’m writing. I think I’ll show her this. “It was made in 1669,” she reads. “No wonder you’re nervous. Could I ask what a cello costs?” I whisper its value — at first she has little reaction, but it now looks like she is going to talk to the captain! Time has now passed. It’s been a three-hour flight. We are landing. I am holding my breath. We are at the gate. I don’t know what they discussed, but the captain has just left the cockpit to go below and personally bring me the cello! Something is wrong. Five. Ten. Fifteen minutes have passed. The other passengers have disembarked and I am alone on the jetway. They must be afraid to show me. Writing this all down while waiting gives me something to do — I am furious. I will sue. I will blast this story all over the Internet. I will . . . Here comes the captain with Miss Cello. I open the case, pluck the strings (still in tune). No cracks, all is intact. I cry.
WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM
9
(continued from page 8)
hold may not be pressurized, temperature or humidity con-
Remember, these are just US domestic regulations, so if travel-
trolled; and if you are changing planes, be prepared that your
ing on an international flight, even traveling between the US
bass trombone could be lost or miss the second flight.
and Canada, you may not be permitted to keep your instru-
ment. (Read about my airline nightmare in the accompanying
violent circumstances are now available for every instrument,
reprint of a Boston Globe story from last year.)
so unless you're after the insurance money, please only check
your instrument if it's in one of these specialized containers.
There's at least one other exception of which I am
Shipping cases that protect from all but the most
aware: United and American have an antiquated rule in their
A good way to avoid most of the above issues is
computer not allowing "blocked seat baggage" on their Boe-
through "gate checking," meaning that you hand-carry your
ing 757. It's an illogical rule and needs to be changed, but for
instrument to the gate, give it to a baggage handler, and have
now, don't buy an extra seat on a 757, for you will most likely
it returned to you at the exit door of the plane as you disem-
be ejected from the plane. In fact, the safest approach when
bark. You need to arrange this in advance of your flight, but
buying an extra seat is
this avoids airport
to go to the airline web-
tarmacs, baggage
site and check the small
carts, conveyor belts,
print for the type of
and missed connec-
aircraft you are flying.
tions. Some airlines
European
charge for this service
musicians have been
and others offer it
campaigning for
as a courtesy, but
uniform regulations for
it's never expensive
all European carriers
and always cheaper
and countries. You can
than having your
read about their prog-
instrument lost or
ress at cellobello.com/
destroyed!
blog/index.php/victory-
of-the-campaign-fair-
of lost and damaged
treatment-for-musicians-
instruments is horrendous, so if you have
traveling-on-planeswith-their-instruments
The history
A SCREENSHOT OF THE YOUTUBE MUSIC VIDEO "UNITED BREAKS GUITARS"
The most critical
an instrument of great value that's too large
decision is: will you take your instrument on the plane or check
to fit in the overhead bin, please...buy your big baby a seat on
it in baggage? To help you decide, I need to frighten you-- If
the plane. I know, it's ridiculous to suggest this to students who
you haven't yet seen the iconic video "United Breaks Guitars,"
often lack the money to buy a ticket for themselves-- ridiculous
please go to YouTube right now and view it: goo.gl/4lKeOw
but unfortunately necessary. Accidents are much too frequent
to risk tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars!
If your instrument is large and you don't have the bud-
get to buy a seat, please prepare for the bad things that could
happen by packing your instrument to withstand the following:
ment, print out the Passenger Bill of Rights, be ready to show it
to crewmembers who may not be familiar with it, and, if neces-
Baggage handlers throw bags (the Fragile sticker on
So, moral of the story is, if you have a small instru-
your case sometimes means they just throw it a little harder!);
sary, be insistent about taking your instrument on board with
instruments gently placed on the top of baggage carts totter
you. If you play cello or another large instrument, bite the bul-
and fall off during transport; placed at the bottom of the cart
let and buy a seat. If this is not an affordable option and you
they can be crushed; cellos can come sliding down chutes onto
must check your instrument in baggage, always use a shipping
the baggage carousel; instruments get rained on and tossed
case and "gate check" it to minimize risk.
around the baggage hold during turbulence; the baggage
10
APRIL 10, 2014
Good luck and have a wonderful summer!
Penguin Profile: Xiang Angelo Yu
by ALICIA MIELKE MM Flute '13
Have you ever noticed that there are some truly fantastic people
month featuring different repertoire, this mental practice is also
running around NEC that you’ve never introduced yourself
essential to staying physically healthy. Interestingly, mental
to? Take Xiang Angelo Yu, who completed his undergraduate
practice is a very important method that physical therapists use
degree last year and went straight on to an Artist Diploma. In
to enhance neuroplasticity in stroke patients. By envisioning a
brief, Xiang is from Inner Mongolia and started playing the
movement of your hand, you can literally practice and create
violin at 4½, then moved to Shanghai at age 11 to further his
a neural pathway. Utilizing this type of learning in addition to
focus on music. When asked why he chose to pursue an Artist
muscle memory allows a musician to learn and internalize music
Diploma instead of a Mas-
at a much more intense level. To hear
ters’, Xiang explained that
Xiang speak about his method, you can
the Artist Diploma degree
find an interview on YouTube with Fred
is designed to launch a
Child (goo.gl/1t5GOH).
soloist’s career. While he’s
young, Xiang is eager to es-
times this month. He starts by performing a
tablish himself as a soloist,
concerto with Discovery Ensemble on April
and NEC’s Artist Diploma
13, continues at the Gardner Museum on
is unquestionably the best
April 20 (a short walk from NEC!), gives
program to help with that.
his debut performance in Symphony Hall
Xiang is continuing his
with the NEC Philharmonia on April 23,
studies with Donald Wei-
and has a solo recital in Jordan Hall on
lerstein, whom he credits
April 30. When Xiang performs multiple
with helping him recognize
recitals in a short time period, he performs
what he had inside of him
about 60% of his familiar repertoire and
as an artist.
40% new music. Xiang is certainly some-
one who has been able to find his own
Xiang has focused
Xiang is performing in Boston four
on creating and establish-
individual sound and a practice strategy
ing his own individual
that sets him up for success every time he
sound as an artist, similar
plays. While I’ve yet to hear him perform
to what the greats from the
live, even videos of his performances are
past, Heifetz and Kreisler, focused on. Sound and cre-
captivating. Most noticeable to me is the
PHOTO BY JESSE WEINER
confidence, charisma, and level of mastery
ating music is a higher priority than getting everything perfect,
and understanding of the music which I often find lacking in
he says. His trick to his fantastically effortless and crafted quality
musicians of our generation.
of playing? Mental practice. Xiang learns a piece completely
with mental practice before ever playing it on his violin. He
continuing his path as a solo artist, Xiang hopes he’ll reach a
visualizes how he will be physically playing, and he hears the
point in his life when he becomes established enough to explore
whole score just from looking at the pages. He completely un-
his other interests, including Chinese literature and geography.
derstands a piece even before picking up his violin, which leads
He finds some time during the school year to read old-fashioned
to a deep internalization of the music. He knows exactly how
Russian and English literature - Tolstoy and Dickens - as well as
the piano and violin interact and what his musical ideas are.
Chinese literature, but he hasn’t yet made it to a Celtics game!
Once he holds the violin in his hands for the first time, he has
Don’t miss your chance to meet Xiang and hear his wonderful
already completely mastered the “new” piece.
performances this month. Feel free to stop him in the halls to say
hello or invite him over to Kung Fu Tea around the corner!
With competitions and multiple performances each
Although he is currently very focused on his goal of
WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM
11
Musicschoolrankings.com Review
by NICK TISHERMAN Oboist '16
WILLIAM ZUCKERMAN’S MEANINGLESS NUMBERS
Much buzz has been generated over the internet’s new-
York University, sneaks onto a couple of his lists. Make no mis-
est, most comprehensive database for information on the best
take, this is a biased source of information.
and brightest destinations to learn the trade of being a musician.
Self-described composer, blogger, and performer William “Bill”
prehensive source of information. There is not one reference to
Zuckerman has taken the initiative to organize all that he has
any non-American conservatory in the entire website. Yes, most
found out about the country’s institutions of musical education in
high-school musicians in the US usually apply only to the schools
an easy-to-use website that we can all enjoy and repost.
here, but if you do not mention the institutes of musical education
in other countries, you might want to give us a little disclaimer. In
While I won’t “let him have it,” I will politely disagree
Let’s talk about what is left out of this seemingly-com-
with the usefulness of
addition, there are no student
his concept. These rank-
testaments to any of these won-
ings are a dangerous
derful institutions, which would
and destructive to the
truly be a help to someone try-
future of music, and we
ing to figure out which school
should not get hung up
to attend. Also, has Bill Zucker-
on the content of this
man heard of jazz? And what
database.
if you’re trying to get a degree
in conducting?
The main
problem here is that the
website portrays the
existence of “ties” in Zucker-
impersonal side of the
man’s rankings. Apparently,
process of the college decision, invoking the
One final qualm is the
Juilliard and the Manhattan
SCREENSHOT OF MUSICSCHOOLRANKINGS.COM
School are both the best place
image of music schools as factories cranking out musicians.
to study clarinet performance. Yet, if a clarinetist goes to Juil-
Incoming music students may look to this source and try to put
liard, he will have a drastically different experience in college
themselves in the position that seems like the statistically best
than if he studied with the same teacher at MSM—for better or
chance to succeed, rather than making the personal connections
worse.
with faculty and other students that should ultimately decide
one’s best fit at a college. What Zuckerman should have done is
mean it is the best place for your career to take off. Just because
assembled information on all the music schools, and let readers
Curtis or Colburn can offer each student a free ride doesn’t
rank for themselves.
mean they will be your ride to the top. Just because the school
The only comprehensive idea of a music school one can
you weren’t thinking about is ranked third overall doesn’t mean
get is from someone who is at the school. One cannot realize all
it should be your number one. The true benefits of an institution
of the benefits a school has to offer until one has been there. I
can only be discovered through experience.
would NEVER have predicted the possibilities and opportunities
which opened up to me since I came to NEC. The ins and outs
New England Conservatory has some of the most phenomenal
of a particular facility are what influence the daily life and thus
faculty in every major, an intensive orchestral program, and
ultimate education of a student.
theory and musicology teachers who have sparked my interests.
The student body is as diverse as it is talented and hard-working,
As expected, the schools Zuckerman has attended are
Just because Juilliard looks like a spaceship doesn’t
Now I’m not biased, but I can tell you that our wonderful
significantly higher on his list than the average person would
and the administration is by and large caring of every student.
think. His alma mater, the University of Michigan, places ahead
We live in a great town with no shortage of opportunities, and
of NEC in the oboe performance category (FALSE), and places
amazing things happen every day in our Contemporary Improvi-
fourth overall in his overall rankings (questionable, perhaps).
sation, jazz, and opera departments. The best decision I’ve ever
Furthermore, another place of education for our friend Bill, New
made was ranking NEC at the very top of my list.
12
APRIL 10, 2014
Procrastination Station
by SYD DONIELLE RVINSKY Vocalist '17
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEING USELESS
Promotionals. The word strikes fear into the hearts of us all.
entertain the notion of locking ourselves up in a practice room.
The grand dates that will host our Solo Showcases of Splendor
We cling to the only option we have left ourselves: delaying the
are approaching with the utmost of importance. Relatives and
inevitable. And I don’t know about you, but I’m almost run-
friends are flying across the country to hear our recitals and
ning out of ways to procrastinate. Netflix no longer offers me
class signups are just around the bend. Are we ready? You
new and exciting options due to the fact that I have obliterated
don’t need to answer that.
almost all their resources. I’ve read all of my books two times
over, and my room cannot physically get any cleaner. On top
Everywhere I look these days I see similar cases: under-
classmen sobbing in TP and Solfege misery and the higher ups
of all this, I have somehow turned into a lemming and flat out
flinging themselves to the wolves in the hopes that they’ll be let
refuse to do any actual work when I do have the “free” time. So
out early. Classes do seem to drag on and yet the months blaze
what’s a frantic student to do?
past us with unequivocal speed. In this, our time of memoriza-
tion and need, we should be spending our nights in solemnity
crastinating. To help my fellow Penguins blow off some steam,
and prayer (note the use of the word “should”). As temperatures
I’ve compiled a list of 5 fun, inexpensive ways to put off doing
rise and the frost melts away it seems more and more difficult to
any honest work:
1. Actively become a philosophy major.
3. Only answer questions with quotes from My Chemical
Clearly, I have not been inventive enough in my pro-
Does NEC offer this as a viable option? No. But it simply does
Romance songs. Your grades may be going to the dogs, but that
not matter. Spend your days in a beret and striped cigarette
doesn’t mean that this isn’t the time for The Black Parade to re-
pants clinging to a book of Sartre and chain-smoking on the
surface from your middle school years. You’ll seem a little edgier
Common. Stare off into the distance whenever friends ask you
and more on your game if you memorize the entire anthology of
how your day was and reply, in a wistful tone, “Our days are
MCR and pull out a veritable heap of non sequitur lyrics on the
relative. Time is meaningless. Clocks are symbolic of the circu-
fly. *Bonus: yodeling at max volume will get you further in life.
larity of the noose. We are all dying.” You may lose your friends and come off rather like a pretentious bundle of limp noodles
4. Discard your old personality and try something new.
but hey, wasn’t it better than practicing your keyboard packet?
Whether that looks an awful lot like Karl Marx, Groucho Marx, or Nessie from the Loch, you’ll have a blast! This little doozy will
2. Turn your life into an 80’s movie.
be sure to keep those around you guessing all the way until the
Flashdance, Heathers, or The Breakfast Club, it really doesn’t
end of the semester.
matter. Tease your hair until it is large enough to have its own social security number and slap on a neon shoulder-padded
5. Spontaneously become a velociraptor. True, your teachers
blazer. If you ever feel like things aren’t romantic or cliché
may be somewhat alarmed when you disembowel your peers,
enough, ride to class in a tractor or blast your “gnarly” music
and yes, your friends might start to cry when you run at them
through the streets until you feel alive. No one will join in. It will
with your sharp little claws, but this fun little shindig will certainly
quite literally just be you on a tractor, but hey, what’s their
take everyone’s mind off the task at hand. Do this without any
damage anyway?
warning and you’ll definitely never have to practice again!
Anyway, friends, I sincerely hope this helped you to realize the
seem like such a dreadful feat, and you will return with ease to
full potential of what you can do with yourself when you aren’t
your scripted schedule with a fresh, new approach to learning.
furthering your education. Eventually, you will tire of these antics
I wish you all the best, and hope you survive the impending
and long for normalcy. Cramming for classes will no longer
dinosaur apocalypse at NEC. #Raptors2014.
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13
penguins GET CREATIVE Song of the World-Walker
by NATALIE ALPER-LEROUX Violist '16
I walk between two worlds across a tightrope of barbed wire I follow my blood’s path onto the faces of the shrieking chorus beneath me TOO FRENCH FOR US cry the Americans stained in blue TOO AMERICAN FOR US cry the French coated in red I am too unfamiliar to the stars on the left and the stripes on the other
so I walk between these worlds and I look at my face in the jagged lines of this mirror and ask
What Am I Today?
Today I am the worldly sophisticate bathing in the Old World’s pleasures climbing backwards along the safety lines of the West to see the birth of civilization I drink Monet and Lizst and Chekhov I eat the foods of my forebears Bordeaux and Bourgogne flow through my veins and into the thin grooves of the wooden engraving plate that has made all tradition
But Today I am the fearless trailblazer hacking a cowpath through the virgin expanse of space I dive in the bathyscaphe of my insatiable curiosity into my mind’s darkest trenches I look out into the world and glow in the colors of every language prairie grass and rock scrambles and raw sheep’s wool irrigate my heartlands leaving behind the smell of campfire in my clothes One Foot In The Old World and One Foot In The New
the disapproval and confusion of the myopic chorus cloud my vision hanging in cloying clouds of perfumed simplicity across my eyes but their one life-lens cannot see that there is NOTHING I would give to grow up with just one name for every color every tree every way you can cook rice every way to say “I LOVE YOU” the pain of the barbed wire tightrope is more than worth the price of a life lived in color
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APRIL 10, 2014
WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM
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N I U G N E P RL ATIVES E P U S BACK! E R A
i
It's that time again: The Second Annual Penguin Superlatives have arrived, and we need YOUR nominations! If you haven't already, stop by
THE PENGUIN N E C ’ S S T U D E N T- R U N N E W S PA P E R
PENGUIN PENMEN Kate Lemmon, editor Suzanne Hegland, faculty editor Sophie Adickes, writer Natalie Alper-Leroux, creative Raley Beggs, writer Isabella Dawis, writer Stephen Garman, webmaster Andrew Nissen, writer Syd Rvinsky, writer Akenya Seymour, writer Nick Tisherman, writer Tong Wang, illustrator
the table in front of the Beethoven statue on April 10th or 11th between noon and 2 p.m. to let us know which eight people you think deserve to win. Students must receive at least two nominations to be placed on the final ballot, which will be emailed the week of April 14th. May the games begin!
2014 GRADUATING CLASS GIFT CAMPAIGN
SUBMIT SOMETHING! If you'd like to contribute an article, illustration, or idea, email a 1-2 sentence proposal to: thepenguin@necmusic.edu Please limit articles to 650 words.
GET INVOLVED…JOIN US! The Goal
SUBMISSION
Exceeding the Class of 2013’s record of 24%
DEADLINE FOR
participation. Every gift counts— you can
APRIL ISSUE:
donate $5, $10, or more!
WEDNESDAY
The Challenge Alumna Michelle Smith ’96 M.M. believes in us and our continuing relationship with NEC. If more than 24% of our class con-
APRIL 23RD
tributes, she will make a generous gift to NEC’s Annual Fund campaign. All donors will be listed in the Commencement Concert program and online! Make your gift today at necmusic.edu/alumni/graduating-class-gift. The Graduating Class Gift Committee JeeHae Ahn
Rob Mortenson
Brittney Walker
Raley Beggs
Elizabeth O’Neil
Marza Wilks
Paul Lueders
Borey Shin
Quan Yuan
Michael Mayo
Rebecca Sullivan
WE'RE ONLINE! JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com /penguinnewspaper READ PDF ARCHIVES: www.NECpenguin.com
WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM
15
penguin PHOTOS by Andrew Hurlbut 1
2
3
4
6
5
7
1) Meng-Chieh Liu performs with James Buswell and the Carpe Diem Quartet on March 25th. Liu will join NEC's piano faculty in September. 2) Symphonic Winds in an open rehearsal for the College Band Directors National Association Conference. 3) Nedelka Prescod, Contemporary Improvisation faculty, sings with the NEC Jazz Orchestra. 4) Gunther Schuller happily acknowledges student performers after the premiere of this new composition From Here to There. 5) Violin soloist Robert Anemone ('12, '14 MM) performs Berg's Violin Concerto. 6) Jazz legend Marvin Stamm and BSO former principal Charlie Schleuter coach a workshop with Symphonic Winds. 7) Julian Korzeniowsky plays the toy piano in a Tuesday Night New Music concert on April 1st.
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APRIL 10, 2014 | WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM