INGA LIU DISCUSSES HOW TO FIND A MAJOR OUTSIDE THE WORLD OF MUSIC
POLITICS: HOW AND WHY TO TALK ABOUT IT
WHAT’S IN A NAME? ELIZABETH WENDT ANSWERS THAT QUESTION FOR HERSELF
DARYNN DEAN ON ‘DIE JIM CROW’, A NEW ALBUM TO FIGHT SYSTEMIC RACISM
THE PENGUIN
RYAN SANDS INTERVIEWS SOME OF THE WINNERS FROM NEC’S OLYMPIC
N E C ’S S T U D E N T - R U N N E W S PA P E R
ANDREW PORT, HEAD EDITOR
WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM
JULIAN SHARES ELIZABETH DAVID’S RECIPE FOR EVERYDAY BREAD PG. 8 PG. 5
DR. PAUL IS BACK AGAIN WITH ADVICE FOR JAZZ MAJORS LOOKING TO WOO THEIR PERFECT CROSS-GENRE MATCH
NICK TISHERMAN DISCOVERS WHAT PEOPLE REALLY THINK OF JORDAN HALL ON YELP!
m s i l a m Mini
penguin BIG PICTURE by Alex Stening
In late 2013, I began practicing minimalism. My roommate in college casually introduced me to The Minimalists, not realizing the profound impacts it would have on my life later. Minimalism is not about having the least amount of stuff. As defined by The Minimalists, “Minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom.” It’s about making more room for the important things like passions, relationships, creativity, experiences, and growth. Ultimately, minimalism helps redefine the sources of meaning in your life. Meet The Minimalists, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. Best friends since the fifth grade, Joshua and Ryan were both successful corporate businessmen living the American Dream by their late 20s – making six figures a year, owing luxury cars and big homes with lots of material stuff. Still discontented with their lives, they worked longer hours, earning more and spending more. As this pattern perpetuated, they became more tired, anxious, and unhealthy in pursuit of what they thought would bring them happiness. It wasn’t until Joshua discovered minimalism that a new light started to shine in his life. Joshua learned how to make room for the important things in his life and get rid of the clutter by applying the principals of minimalism. Ryan, too, started to practice minimalism once he saw the authentic joy it brought to Joshua. Together in December of 2010, they started a website (www. theminimalists.com) to blog about their experiences of practicing minimalism and, shortly after, enthusiastically quit their corporate jobs and focused their energy to lead a life with their passions. I began by taking a good look around my apartment; it was mostly clean and organized, but not minimalized. I applied The Minimalists’ 90/90 rule: Have I used this item in 90 days? Will I use it in the next 90? No? Get rid of it! A donation box I placed in the middle of my room quickly began to fill with
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APRIL, 2016
clothes and books. Once I decided an item had no meaning to me, I felt strangely excited to get rid of it, throwing it in the box with a big grin. “I don’t need this. Why am I holding on to it?” I always said “I’ll use it eventually,” when in reality, I could see by looking at the history of the things that I own, most are just sitting a shelf looking pretty like a middle schooler’s dusty basketball trophy collection. I felt happy that by donating these items, people could potentially be moved by the books I’ve read or feel good in the clothes I don’t wear. Stepping back and seeing the work I’ve done, my room looked like it did before, with maybe two more inches of space on my book shelf. But the magical thing was it felt like an open meadow, even with the small changes. I was calm and breathing deeper knowing that I’m not attached to the things I own. Carrying this feeling, I unrolled my yoga mat next to my bed and placed an open book in the center of my desk, making it easy to start the habits of daily yoga and reading - something I’ve been wanting to do but didn’t know how to start. By surrounding myself with my most meaningful possessions, I had energy, felt happier and was more in touch with the moment.
The NEC Olympics
by RYAN SANDS 4th Year - BM Jazz
A BRIEF INTERVIEW WITH THE WINNERS (continued from page 2) This was just the beginning of small, yet significant changes. I took more risks in the following years, getting rid of the things that had more value at one time. Goodbye, TV! Goodbye, surround sound computer speakers! Goodbye, my sweet grandmothers’ bulky antique desk! Goodbye, radio alarm clock! And, reminiscing on the joyful nights of journeying through foreign lands and slaying monstrous beasts, Goodbye, Xbox 360 and the Elder Scrolls. There is nothing wrong with owning a lot of material stuff like a big TV or gaming consoles, as long as every item we own adds value to our lives. Giving away my Xbox was difficult. I love playing video games, but it wasn’t valuable in this moment since there were other interests I wanted to explore. Ridding the physical clutter is one small part of minimalism, but there can be clutter financially, psychologically, with regards to activities, time and relationships. The clutter in all areas adds up and secretly weighs us down in the back of our subconscious mind, leaving us wondering why we procrastinate, feel tired or lack motivation. Addressing the clutter in all of life’s crevasses is where we can access our truest selves, free the space in our minds and surroundings, experiencing true freedom.
Hhhhhhheeeeeyyyyy tilt people of New England Conservatory, an event put on by our Student Activates Center that allows the students to participate in various games and win cool prizes. This year’s winners include Bob Logan, Jeffrey Cox, and Maggie Zeng. I had the pleasure of speaking with Jeffrey Cox and Maggie Zeng about their experience in this year’s NEC Olympics and what they would like to see in next year’s games:
RS: How did you here about the NEC Olympics? SZ: Walked past the desk after a rehearsal in Brown Hall and saw --Hula-hoops!
JC: Daniel Hersog, GA for student activities, informed me of its existence. Also I saw posters for it all around school.
RS: What made you want to participate in NEC Olympics? SZ: Hula-hoops!!! So much fun! I haven’t done it for a long time! JC: Daniel Hersog, coordinator of student activities, bullied me into participating.
RS: What event(s) did you participate in and what did you like about it?
Doing a little bit of internet searching, you can see minimalists from all walks of life. Their lives are colorful and vary from person to person but all have the ability to clearly see the important things in their life and lead their lives that way. Joshua and Ryan will be in Boston on May 3rd at 7:30 pm in the Somervile Theater in Davis Square to present their new documentary about minimalism, record a live podcast during a Q&A session and giving free hugs. For more information visit: http://www.theminimalists.com/tour/ Come and see what it’s all about!
SZ: Almost everything except the typing game and shooting game. JC: I did all of the events. Pushing the binder clips into water glasses was nice - it felt like it required some amount of skill and strategy (skill and strategy that I did not have!). I also enjoyed the typing challenge because I was good at it, and for no other reason. The ID toss seemed random and impossible, so I don’t love that one as much. Hula hooping and jump roping toe the line of actually being athletic activities, but I understand they are good to have, even if the thought of exercise makes me gag.
RS: What event would you want to see in next years NEC Olympics?
SZ: Keep the hoops. Maybe Gobang? It’s a cool chess game-connecting 5 in a row. JC: A paper football tournament. I know they’d have to actually have all the contestants at the same place at the same time, but as far as desk sports go, it’s a must-have.
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3
What’s in a Name?
by ELIZABETH WENDT 4th Year - BM Voice
A CANDID DISCUSSION ABOUT A COMMON QUESTION
not changing my name just to get a free ride up the alphabet from the W’s to the E’s - although I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t excited to no longer have to wait for what seems like 5 billion hours just to hear my name called at graduations. I am changing my name for one very important reason – my name was given to me by my father. If you know me, you know that my father is not a part of my life. My parents divorced when I was four and what started with my father putting very little effort into facilitating a relationship with me soon turned into no effort. This is partially due to my father being a Marine - he wasn’t around a lot to form a bond with me even when my parents were together - and the fact that he has struggled with severe alcoholism for most of my life. And unfortunately, when my father did put in the effort, he just wasn’t that nice to me. So, because of the choices that NEW YORK POST CARTOON SATIRIZES THE CONFUSION REGARDING LAST NAMES
he made a long time ago, my father will not be walking me
This July, after the excitement of graduating from NEC has
down the aisle, he will not be “giving me away” and we will not
begun to settle, I will be venturing off into a very new and
be sharing a first dance together, but that’s okay. I have had 17
exciting chapter of my life: Getting married. This is a time full of
years to forgive him and move on with my life. Instead, I will be
change and growth and I am lucky to be surrounded by people
sharing these precious moments with my mother and my two
who are very supportive of the changes that I am choosing
older brothers. Perhaps you are now starting to understand why
to make in my life. But there is one question that I get asked
I might want to change my name? The last name that I currently
fairly often (most often by women of my age) and my answer
have has me legally bound to a man who found much more
is usually met with a bit of surprise. They ask, “Are you going to
enjoyment in a bottle than he did in the act of reaching out to
hyphenate your last name or change it?” I reply with, “Change it.”
his daughter. And while my heritage will no longer be obvious after changing my name, I can rest easy knowing that my name
The subject of taking a spouse’s name (and the subject of
is no longer associated with a man who has homophobic, racist,
marriage, in general) is one that I have seen debated a lot
and misogynistic tendencies.
on social media platforms and on websites that are directed towards female audiences. From what I have seen, many women
Empowerment is a very individualized feeling. Empowerment
believe that by “giving up” the last name you were born with,
is dressing modestly for some, for others it may be powerlifting
you are giving up the identity that you have worked your whole
and body building. Some women are empowered by their
life to establish, you are giving up an identifier for your family’s
choice not to have children, and others find their strength in
culture and heritage, or that you are giving yourself completely
dedicating their time to raising a family. No matter what form
over to your spouse and playing into the tradition of marriage
a woman’s feeling of power or confidence comes in, we should
being for ownership. Many women believe that it is much more
all work to accept each other as strong individuals and validate
empowering to keep their name and to continue to pave their
each other’s feelings. I, personally, feel empowered knowing that
way under that name – and guess what? They’re not wrong.
I have the choice to change my name to one that I associate with
All of the reasons listed above for not giving up one’s name
positivity and love. This summer, I will change my last name to
are perfectly valid. But here is the thing I wish people would
that of my fiancé’s father – a man who I have bonded with and
consider – changing my name is a choice, and in my opinion,
who has described me as the daughter he never had, but always
to have a choice is the most empowering thing of all. I am not
wanted.
changing my name because it is traditional or expected. I am
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APRIL, 2016
ABREADMasterclass in the Kitchen WITH ELIZABETH DAVID Everyday Bread Adapted from English Bread and Yeast Cookery by Elizabeth David
Ingredients 3½ cups unbleached white flour (or 3 cups white flour, ½ cup whole wheat flour) 1 tsp. dry yeast 3 tsp. table salt 1 ½ cups water Optional: 1 tbsp. butter
by JULIAN POZNIAK 1st Year - MM Composition Of all the elements of food, nothing is more fundamental to the table than bread. The practice of making bread is as old as civilization itself and, although it has evolved and changed over time, the way in which we have approached bread throughout history remained fundamentally unchanged from the first loaf that was ever baked ten thousand years ago. Today, however, most bread that is purchased in the supermarket is subject to so much processing that it bears very little resemblance to traditionally baked breads. All that is truly required to
Mix the flour(s) and salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a well in the
make a proper leavened bread is flour, water, salt, and
middle. Moisten the yeast in a small bowl with a tablespoon of water.
yeast, yet if you look at the ingredients in any store-bought
Add the yeast and water to the flour and begin stirring the water with a
loaf, you’re likely to see upwards of twenty ingredients.
mixing spoon or spatula, gradually incorporating more and more flour. When the mixture has thickened and can no longer be mixed effectively,
After the Second World War, England was suffering from
empty the contents of the bowl onto a large, clean work surface that
the worst of what modernism could do to food. English
has been lightly dusted with flour. At this point you can add the butter.
cuisine that was once internationally celebrated was now
Knead to incorporate the rest of the flour into the dough. This is done
the laughing stock of chefs, and the celebrated breads of
by pushing firmly into the center of the dough and away from you (this
English bakers were lost under the tidal wave of packaged
is not a dainty task, and can be tiring), then folding over the dough and
sandwich breads. Elizabeth David determined that she
repeating. Continue kneading until the dough appears to be a uniform
would not allow the great historical traditions of English
consistency; if the dough starts to become sticky, lightly dust with flour.
food to go forgotten and so launched herself into the
Return to the bowl and let rise in a warm place, covered securely, for
world of cuisine to save Britons from losing their culinary
about three hours, or until the dough is about twice its original volume.
traditions to food made by machines.
After the first rise, remove the dough from the bowl back to the work surface and punch it down, deflating it. At this point you can do two
Although bread making can seem daunting to many, there
things with the dough, depending on what you want the finished
is little in the recipe that is actually all that troublesome.
product to be: To make a rounded loaf or boule, rotate the loaf on your
Although the recipe certainly does take time, it doesn’t
work surface with cupped hands, stretching the surface of the dough
take your time, and the bread can be left alone to rise
as you turn, then placing the loaf upside-down on a well-floured paper
while you attend class, go to the gym, or go grocery
towel in a bowl; to make sandwich bread, proceed similarly as above,
shopping for the rest of your dinner ingredients. I
kneading the dough into the rough shape of a greased loaf pan, then
personally consider making bread to be a very important
place in the pan with any tucks in the bread on the bottom.
part of my week, and even keep a sourdough starter in my fridge that I’ve been maintaining for over a year and a half.
Let the bread rise again, this time for about two hours. To bake, preheat
While I usually take an opportunity at the ends of these
the oven to 450ºF. When the oven is at the proper temperature, get ready
articles to impart a little extra wisdom for the recipes, I’ll
to insert the bread (the sandwich bread can go right in, the boule needs
just take this opportunity to encourage the reader to try
to be inverted onto a baking sheet). Right before baking, take a very sharp
their hand at the world of bread and see where they get.
knife (I use a clean scalpel, but any sharp blade will do) and make a shallow,
Despite poring over many books and articles on making
angled slice in the top of the bread with a rapid gesture. Place the bread
bread, experience has been my best instructor.
in the bottom of the oven and bake for forty five minutes, reducing the temperature to 400ºF after the first twenty minutes of baking. Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool completely before cutting into the bread.
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5
penguin POLITICS by Andrew Port
Politics has taken a dramatic turn this past year, and it isn’t by mistake. The rise of ‘insurgent’ candidates has the political world to its core on both sides of the aisle, and the results have been staggering. Donald Trump and Ted Cruz’s unlikely successes in the Republican Party Primary has left moderate conservatives homeless, pundits amazed, and liberal Americans frightened. For the Democratic Party’s part, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has proven to be a formidable opponent to Hillary Clinton, whose nomination seemed all but assured when she declared her candidacy. Spurring on these surprising events has been an uptick in voter participation from Republicans, Democrats and registered Independents as well, and one of the largest participating age groups? 18-25; ours. If you’re my friend, you (hopefully) know two things about me: My jokes are pretty bad, and I support Bernie Sanders. I have my reasons for supporting Sanders, as does everyone for their particular candidate, but I’ve noticed more than once that politics can be polarizing even for the best of friends.
STEPHEN COLBERT, T V PERSONALITY, DEMONSTRATES THE ‘CROWDED’ FIELD IN NOVEMBER
grossly discouraged by authority figures and peers, which doesn’t seem to be proper. If it is a civic duty of the American people to vote, then it seems by extension that it’s our duty to make the most informed choice as possible when going to pick our candidate at the ballot box.
So as we near the end of the primary season and approach the general election, I’d like to discuss politics, specifically, the culture that surrounds them here at NEC in an open and civil way.
Often times, I find myself encouraging friends, family and colleagues to speak their minds, and to share their opinions about policy, and the candidates that champion them. No one ever said
It’s Okay to Talk About Politics
that a debate about politics had to become fierce and vicious, and there’s no reason why they can’t remain civil and educational to every party involved.
For this point, a disclaimer seems necessary: I’m not advocating for brawls on the stage of Jordan Hall over who you think is going to fix up the economy best, nor am I suggesting that you go home next Thanksgiving and strike up a conversation at the dinner table with your politically polarized family.
But it’s more than a battle of wits when it comes to debating political issues. In fact, I often try personally to separate candidate themselves from policy issues - something that is essential when the candidates have such strong personalities. For myself, many of Secretary Clinton’s policy positions seem reasonable and highly
Talking about politics is an essential aspect to making informed decisions about your support for any candidate. It’s far too easy for us to listen to one of our candidates rally supporters across the country and be swept up in their message, but it’s something
respectable, but the Secretary herself gives me pause.
entirely different to have to defend your candidate to someone who may not agree with you.
A lot of what makes politics so divisive is the numerous ways one
Perspective and the Mob Mentality
can look at a particular issue, and the number of “sources” one can use to further their argument. But on a college campus where the
Too often today, talking about politics is either stigmatized or
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APRIL, 2016
student body leans dramatically in a certain direction in terms of
political ideology, there exists a reciprocal neglect for those that disagree.
For my part, I have waded through the many names and agencies that report the news and picked my own set to follow regularly,
Those among us that care about social, fiscal or foreign policy
which includes the New York Times (center-left), Wall Street Journal
enough to follow politics, know that the school - hell, even the
(center-right), The Hill (strict center), and others. By comparing what
city and state - lean drastically to the left. Willfully or not, this leads
all three write about the same issue, I’m able to come away with a
individuals to make assumptions about their colleagues (“they’re,
composite of what the undeniable facts are, and even have a better
gay so they must be democratic”, “they’re Catholic, they must be
understanding of the opinions that my friends may hold.
conservative”) which hinge on stereotype. It’s also not uncommon to see a dash (or significant) amount of surprise on someone’s face
As much as I’d personally love to believe the headline that says
when their friend admits to having an unpopular opinion.
“Bernie Sanders is actually winning the Democratic Primary” from the Huffington Post, I need to keep myself realistic and within the
Situations like these do more to harm the quality of the political
boundaries of reasonable expectations. If I don’t, I’m part of the
discourse than just about anything else. Too often, conservatives
problem.
and liberals (depending on the setting) are marginalized by their peers simply because they may believe in different social policies.
Of course, this article shares my opinions and positions with you,
In this campaign cycle specifically, I’ve noticed supporters of Hillary
the reader. Some might object to that, but that was my purpose; if
Clinton are marginalized by Sanders’ supporters to the point where
you see something in here you disagree with, seek me out and talk
they feel uncomfortable voicing their endorsement or support
to me about it. I’d love to hear what you have to say, and it would
for the Secretary. This ‘mob mentality’ undermines the point of
be a pleasure to engage in an enlightened political discourse with
a healthy political discussion, and makes it likely that it will be
those who don’t necessarily believe what I do. That’s part of the fun -
reciprocated if and when the tables turn on that particular majority.
that’s why it’s important.
Passion is No Substitute for Common Sense
Regardless of who you support for this primary and general election, get out and make your voice heard and vote.
Perhaps most important about supporting a certain candidate is wading through the impossibly thick amount of disinformation
Die Jim Crow, by Darynn Dean
and inaccurate statements made about the ‘terrorist’ we have as our President, the ‘communist’ that’s competing against the ‘felon’
Pushing for political change, “Die Jim Crow,” a unique concept
Hillary Clinton -- and so on.
album, exposes racism in the American prison system through the songs, artwork, and poetry of formerly and currently incarcerated
The internet is a new source of political insight and knowledge that
black women and men. Through music, Die Jim Crow tells the
is unique to our generation alone - before it, information such as
painful narratives of black inmates before, during, and after their
polls, facts, speeches and other major campaign news came directly
imprisonment. The goal of this project is to bring awareness
through television or newspapers. And while the internet has
to the mass incarceration that targets the black race and allow
provided a faster, easier way to obtain news from the same people
silenced voices to be heard. This album ignites necessary and
who brought us Sunday morning cartoons when we were children,
important conversation through music that would otherwise be
it has also provided a bevy of sources that don’t carry with them
undiscussed. The producer and creator of this concept album,
the same credibility as the older, more established news outlets.
Fury Young, became inspired to counteract racism after he read
And while many of those same outlets have waded into the political
Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow.” Recording the music of
debate themselves and made endorsements for certain candidates,
incarcerated artist and compiling their work into an EP for the rest
you must be able to read between the lines to dig at the facts that
of the world to hear was his solution to fighting institutionalized
lay hidden within.
racism. Young believes, “ If people can begin to see these inmates as products of their environment, rather than solely heartless criminals,
To be clear, I’m not saying that anything that a particular medium is
then it opens the conversation about the system that imprisoned
more or less credible than any other due to their endorsement, but
them...Yes, some of the prisoners have done terrible things, and
taking your news from the Daily News Bin, Addicting Info, TownHall,
some of them haven’t, nonetheless all of their stories need to be
Redstate and others like them are going to produce highly biased
heard.” If you want to find out more about Die Jim Crow please visit
results.
DieJimCrow.com or contact diejimcrow@gmail.com
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7
penguin ADVICE by Dr. Paul
Dear Dr. Paul,
Dear “Classic Love Story,”
I am a jazz major and I’ve been pining
First off, classical majors are surrounded by mystery and intrigue, so I understand the
after this gorgeous classical girl for the past
attraction. They are mystical creatures that spend most of their time hogging practice
2 years. I’ve never talked to her, or even
rooms, resulting in “sharing problems.” I really don’t have the time to explain or educate
hung out with her, but seeing her singing
you on classical music. It takes far too long and it’s really quite boring, but you should
the Mozart horn quintet in Solfege II class
know that that they probably have no future career, so I hope you’re looking for a house
makes me feel… excited. It’s love. I don’t
wife. So, besides that point, I’ll give you some suggestions and ideas of what you should
know what instrument she plays, but she
do to woo her and make her notice you.
carries around a smallish square case so… is that a viola? Do violas actually exist,
1. Find out what instrument she plays. You may do this by casually following her around
though? Or maybe it’s one of those horns
campus and waiting until she sets her instrument down. Then take your spare hammer out
that sounds like a drowning duck… an
and nonchalantly trip and fall, smashing your hammer down, breaking the case apart
oboe? Why are there so many instruments
and possibly the instrument as well. Then make a date out of it by taking her out to buy a
in an orchestra? Who the hell is “Phil”
new instrument. You may have blown thousands of dollars, but this is a fail proof way to
and why does he get so many concerts in
not only find out what she plays, but also secure a first date.
Jordan Hall? If you can’t already tell, I don’t know anything about classical musicians and where they go all day, and what they’re into. Please help!
2. If it turns out she is actually a classical singer, then the “instrument case” you’ve seen her carrying around is actually her purse. Don’t be too shocked if this is the truth of the situation, many classical vocalists have the tendency to be a bit… lost sometimes. Classical vocalists are interested in: vodka, watching Puccini clips on youtube and tearing the performers to shreds by verbally abusing them while drinking the vodka (mixed with orange juice: vitamin C is good for the voice!), and confusing the entire
Sincerely, Classic Love Story
NEC population by making those who overhear their practice wonder if it is indeed a vocal warm-up or a passing ambulance. They are delicate flowers, and require a lot of attention. Do NOT ask them to sing for you. They will either become frustrated or angry with you for asking, or they will start singing and never stop. Ever.
Dr. Paul is a new addition to NEC with a Master’s degree in Social Work and a PhD in Ornithology. By the good Doctor’s side is his loyal secretary Madame Sophia.
3. If she turns out to be a horn player, you should know that embouchure and double tonguing are real things. Be aware that this could lead to some interesting make out sessions.
Together, they are hoping to make a positive and helpful impact on the NEC student body by providing us with advice and gentle suggestions.
I hope all of this information is helpful for you and useful in your journey to capturing this
Stay tuned for Dr. Paul’s advice to other majors on a variety of topics!
at least a few days.
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APRIL, 2016
girl’s heart. If you get bored with the relationship, or it happens to hit a lull, just say the words “Your music is dead” and you’ll have subject matter and some fiery discussions for Sincerely, Dr. Paul
Yelp Reviews NEC
SEAT CUSHIONS ARE APPARENTLY VERY IMPORTANT
by NICK TISHERMAN 4th Year - BM Oboe
penguin
Surprisingly, only one review complained about the practice room situation. One apparently disgruntled alum warned prospective students not to go near the school, without citing much evidence for their case. Anyone can walk into a concert at Jordan Hall, walk out, and regurgitate an underdeveloped opinion onto a website. Nothing you could read on Yelp or on one of those “rank my professor” types of sites or Music School Rankings (remember that trainwreck? No? musicschoolcentral.com) could ever speak with the depth of experience needed to give a truly thorough review. Luckily they try anyway, which is usually hilarious. So, here is my review, from a student who has lived in the NEC community for the past four years, and who will, with some regret, likely be in a different community next fall. AT LEAST THEY GOT THE LOCATION RIGHT.
I don’t know who these people who sit around at their computer
The environment at NEC is something incredibly special, and
writing reviews on Yelp are, but I thank each and every one of
if one embraces it with an open mind, it makes for a unique
them for providing some of the most entertaining, sometimes
and inspiring learning experience. Through academic classes,
spiteful, rarely insightful editorial material on the internet. Now,
coachings, and performance classes, I’ve experienced some
don’t label me as one of those weird people who just sits around
outstanding faculty, the crown jewels of the institution. My
reading reviews on Yelp (short for Yellow Pages—isn’t that
biggest regret after four years is not getting the chance to work
neat?). I just happened to be on Yelp researching a local business
with more string, jazz, or Contemporary Improvisation faculty.
one day when I wondered if anyone had written anything about
The student body makes one feel safe and included. Interacting
NEC. Sure enough, over seventeen people have gone out of their
with such a diverse group of students united by their common
way to share with the whole internet their opinions on NEC and
drive and musicianship has broadened my horizons. The
Jordan Hall. Most were very positive; some, not so much. Here
chameleonic Jordan Hall is all at once an intimate setting for
are the highlights:
Mahler and a beautifully expansive hall for solo and chamber recitals. Through the classes offered, I have been able to delve
“…not posh…” – Well, what were you expecting? This is
deep into very specific subjects (A short list of things I have
America’s oldest conservatory of music, not some hip, new tapas
studied at NEC that I never expected to learn anything about
bar in Manhattan.
in college includes the inner workings of Beethoven’s Op. 18, Hindu mythology, and Renaissance improvisation). Ensembles
Half a dozen reviewers complained about the seats in the
at NEC are rewarding to rehearse and perform with. The city of
hall: “they tilt way off to the side so you’re forced to lean on
Boston, with all of its musical happenings, provides the perfect
the person [next to you],” which to one reviewer was “highly
backdrop for this school. Sure, NEC’s not perfect, with a budget
unpleasant.” Many sore backs were reported. The highest praise
slightly tighter than some schools and a skewed practice room-
the seats actually received was, “reasonably comfortable.”
to-student ratio, but the food at the Bistro has been on a steady upswing since my freshman year, and that new building’s going
One concertgoer did not like the modern spin the opera
to look gooooood in a year. I would highly recommend NEC to a
department took in one of their productions back in 2009:
friend. Five out of five stars.
“Cinderella wore flats…”
A Portrait of the Artist as a...what? HOW A YOUNG ARTIST BECAME INTERESTED IN FIANANCE
by INGA LIU 3rd Year - BM Violin
When I first came to Tufts, I never thought I would take a course
like to think of themselves as on a different, higher level, where
entitled Introduction to Finance, nor did I think that I would
finances don’t come into the picture. The trouble is, no matter
enjoy it so immensely.
who you are, you can’t escape finance. You have to pay rent, you have pay for transportation, you have to file taxes, and you have
I chose Tufts because of the dual degree program it offers with
to earn income to support your lifestyle, whatever that may be.
NEC, one of the best music schools in the world. I am a very
And not knowing, not trying to understand financial language
serious classical violinist and music is still is a career path I’m
can only hurt you.
considering. While music played - plays - a huge part of my life, I was struggling at Tufts to find my passion. I took classes in
With this revelation, I came to class with a new perspective,
psychology, art history, computer science, which were all very
hanging on Professor Manos’s every carefully-chosen word
informative but didn’t spark any real interest. I was about to
and enjoying nearly every topic we covered, incuding: bonds
finish my sophomore year and had no definitive idea of what I
(boring), stocks (fun), portfolio theory (practical), efficient market
wanted to major in.
hypothesis (enlightening), to stock options (still confusing) financial statements (actually less boring than bonds) and
I met Professor Manos the summer between my freshman and
everything in between. Once you took the time to dissect the
sophomore years completely by chance. I had signed up to be
language, it wasn’t really as complicated as it seemed.
an orientation leader for the NEC dual degree program, but that year, no new first years had been admitted. Tufts instead
After I finished the course, I found myself wanting more. I
designated me to a group of regular Tufts first-years who
applied to a number of summer internship opportunities
signed up for Pre-Law advising with Prof. Manos. In his advising
at financial service firms. I could have never answered the
sessions, he encouraged every student he met, including me,
questions they asked me in the interviews without having taken
to take his class, Introduction to Finance. He struck me as very
Ec 50. (What are your thoughts on EMH? If interest rates fall from
honest and very sincere. It was then that my preconception that
3 to 2 percent, how does the price of a 10-year bond change?)
people who work in finance are, well, self-serving liars, started
It was, I admit, not the easiest getting employers to take me
to fade away. (Although after a couple of lectures on Efficient
seriously with my rather diverse background, but I was both
Market Hypothesis, I’m starting to wonder if that’s somewhat
persistent and lucky. I’ll be working this summer at a wealth
true.) A year later, I took his advice and found myself signing
management firm called Tortoise Investment Management in
up for Ec 50: Introduction to Finance. There are a couple of
White Plains, NY. I was interviewed by the CEO and by two Tufts
moments I remember very well in the class. One is the day I
graduates, neither of whom had had the advantage of being
received the syllabus. As I scrolled through the list of topics we
exposed to finance during their time in school, both of whom
were going to cover, it was like reading Greek, or one of my
were impressed with my basic understanding of finance.
mom’s tax documents. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with all the econ majors in the class who had probably
I’m so grateful to have had the exposure to this world that one
already had experience with internships in the financial sector.
year ago I hardly knew existed. One year ago I was taking my
Our first reading assignment, however, assuaged my nerves.
first introductory course in economics, and last week I was in
It was an article entitled “Learning the Language of Finance”
the financial district meeting the CEO of a successful company
which has stuck with me to this day. It boiled down to this: the
who is younger than my mother! This doesn’t mean that I’m
complicated terms that people in finance use everyday can
giving up on my artistic pursuits. Quite the contrary. I believe
be explained in plain English and be more easily understood
every experience is transformative, and sometimes you have to
than you would think. Most importantly, it stated that
be fearless, make known the unknown, and take a risk to earn a
incomprehension was a form of consent.
return. In fact, here’s a bit of risk/return advice, as told by James Joyce: “I am not afraid to make a mistake, even a great mistake, a
As a musician, I have 100% found that to be true. A lot of artists
10
APRIL, 2016
lifelong mistake and perhaps as long as eternity, too.”
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penguin PHOTOS Here’s
just a small selection of what’s being posted by some of the NEC community Instagram. Get in on the action by following these people, and follow us also @ThePenguinNEC!
Oh! Hi there!
It’s me again!?
And I brought the snow with me!? I go to your recitals and concerts!
?(I think he noticed me. Act cool.)
?I’m really happy to be here!
on
I’ve been exploring Boston!?
?And sometimes go to class too!
?I hope we meet soon!