Sooooooo …… How have you all been? Me? Wellll …… it’s been an interesting (and dare I say, scary) two years. I’ll try to get into as much of that as I can later. Meanwhile, I’ve always wanted to go back to college and get a degree in Music. That has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I started at the University of Akron (Ohio) before there was what would become SWITCH. My brief time there was a personal nightmare. I liked the idea of college. It ‘looked good on paper’ but the reality was quite different. Admittedly, my mind was just not into it as my transcripts reflected. Need I say more. Then, what would become SWITCH called in the form of one Gregory Williams and with regard to that visit the rest as they say is history.
But, I digress. Two years ago, that wish became a reality. I went back to college! Currently, I’m working to get an Associates Degree in Piano Performance, my Major. Bless all those who upon finding out would ask me, ‘Why are you going to college? You already know everything!’ Well, respectfully, No! I don’t! I already knew THAT fact very well, but it was never made more clear than when I went back. I always tell people now, if I had known what I was getting myself into, I don’t know that I would have gone. I would have talked myself out of it as I had all these years. The things I learned I wish I had known all these years ago. Extremely interesting! I wish I had learned more about the composers, their backstories as I was learning their pieces in my junior and high school years. That Mozart was autistic and most of his pieces were commissioned. That Beethoven was literally a ‘rock star’ of his day. That he composed for himself simply for the love of composing. That he would wake up in the morning and compose because that’s what he wanted to do! As a result of his dedication and work ethic, well over 50,000 people would attend his funeral. You might say, HE was the MICHAEL JACKSON of his day. And I won’t go into music theory and the things I learned there. Counterpoint, atonal music, graphic composition, etc. GEEEEEZ!! There was Aural Training as well, that thank goodness I already had a good and trusting ear going into this class so I didn’t worry as much about this class. Then there was piano performances in front of students and faculty. I CAN kinda play piano! But I still learned much, much more. I had an awesome professor in that regard. In fact, all my professors were!
Most people go to college in the first place to get a good paying job. At this point in my life, my reason for going back was simply to be a better musician. I like what I do, so it was never about a higher paying job. Don’t get me wrong, I do want better pay. Who doesn’t? But that wasn’t my focus. As most musicians will tell you, we do this for the love of it. BUT, if a lotta money comes along, we’ll definitely take it!
So, I went back to college! And got straight A’s in all my required music classes! Next step: General education classes. You know. Reading. Writing.‘Rithmetic.
I want to especially thank my classmates, though they were few as a result of coming out of covid two years ago, they were just as dedicated. We all saw each other through in one way or another. My professors (and tutors), their knowledge and their styles of teaching were greatly beneficial! I totally got the sense that through both the successes and the frustrations of us, their students, they honestly didn’t want to see us unsuccessful and they did what was necessary to see that we did just that … SUCCEED!
Lastly, to the head of the music department at the College of Southern Nevada, Professor Robert Bonora! As it turned out, HE is from Cuyahoga Falls, just down the road from Akron, Ohio! Need I say more! What are the chances??!? And the ‘back in the day’ stories of northeast Ohio that we’ve shared were amazing! I wish I had known him then. This man has had an open door policy for my entire time there at CSN! There is no problem that he has not solved! There is no issue he was not willing to address! There was never a time that he’s turned me away no matter how big or small the issue! In fact, there were a few times I had seriously considered withdrawing and he refused to let me. And here I am now nearing completion, thanks to Professor Bonora!
In closing, this is the piece that I performed in front of the faculty for my final jury. TOCATTA - Aram Khachaturian (1903 - 1978). I’ve always said, Anytime I can sit at the grand piano and perform the printed page, I’m home.
I hope you enjoy!
TOCATTA - Aram Khachaturian (1903 - 1978) as performed by Eddie Fluellen.
