ComposerX

I agree with Usmivka on the quieter parts of Seattle, however, there are quiet parts of Capitol Hill. I think Kava would be more interested in Capitol Hill because of the convenience. The problems with Phinney, Ballard, and Wallingford is that grocery stores and dining/night-life could potentially be a far walk if you're looking to live in a quiet area, whereas in Capitol Hill (15th Ave) you can live relatively close to said establishments and still dwell in a quiet area. Capitol Hill, specifically the south part of it, is centered around night-life and it can be very noisy. Also, the 49 is a 15 minute commute to the University and it runs until 1:30 am or so every night (a little later on the weekends), and it is pretty reliable; sure it might be 5 minutes late, but it comes very frequently (about every 15 minutes). The intent of my initial post was to point out some of the great features of Capitol Hill and not give specifics on other neighborhoods. I would say that it would be good for you, Kava, to give us an idea of the kind of neighborhood or lifestyle that appeals to you most, and then we could offer more appropriate suggestions.

I received a rejection email from Cornell for the D.M.A Composition program today. I was expecting that, but on the bright side, I've been accepted into the M.M. Composition program at Ithaca College with an assistantship (tuition + stipend), so things are good. Even though Cornell didn't want me this year I'll still attend their composer's forum every Friday when I can. So, I'll be simultaneously getting my masters at Ithaca and working on relations with the Cornell faculty for my future application. And enjoying the frigid weather - if that's possible.

Hi netp, I'm currently waiting for acceptance/rejection to a few graduate programs in music composition. One of my main interests in composition is instrumental timbre, and I've done some preliminary, yet extensive, research on the topic. Mostly, I have gone through the history of digital analysis of sound: from John Grey, all that FFT nonsense, and beyond. I eventually stumbled upon an article where researches were trying to create a new, better, and complicated system/logarithm that takes into account the physiology of the human ear, as well as cognition, to provide a more accurate analysis of timbre. My interest in this area relates to my compositional approach, but I'm mainly interested in it for a very specific reason (which I cannot share publicly, as it pertains to my future dissertation). I've consulted with professors about this topic during my undergraduate studies, and some were helpful, while others were not. Those who were not helpful, surprisingly, are those who created SuperCollider (a sound synthesis program). During my research I met with one of the creators and he stated, "instrumental timbre is not something you can quantify." Ha! Well that's, in a sense, exactly what I'm attempting to do, so if you would like to start a dialogue on this topic and share useful resources, I am here.

Still waiting on Cornell University and Ithaca College. Maybe this will cheer up those who are in the same boat... I recently watched The Gift. It was an alright movie; good acting and pace, just a little too predictable. But something amazing happens in the movie... about 1 hour and 40 minutes into it, as Giovanni Ribisi stands heroically over a victimized Kate Blanchett, you hear the Back to the Future theme. Maybe it's nostalgia, maybe I'm partial towards the epic, but I was like, "YESSSS!" In short, I learned that Christopher Young subtly admires Alan Silverstri. Also, the two scenes are strikingly similar (music is included). Back to the Future: The Gift:

I've lived in Seattle for over six years now and I've tasted all of the neighborhoods. I may be a little on the picky side, but when it comes to convenience, tranquility, aesthetic beauty, and the quality of living here's the "block" that I've come up with: Capitol Hill, North of John St, South of Roanoke, East of Broadway, and West of 23rd Ave E. This area is, in my extremely selective opinion, the most ideal place to live in Seattle; whether you're a professional or a graduate student. You can live in a calm/peaceful neighborhood, and be just a few blocks away from grocery stores, coffee shops, and a slew of dining options without a bunch of noise. From minimal amenities and sq. footage on up, a one bedroom apartment can range from $800 - $1,800 and a two bedroom is about $1,000 - $2,000. I have found some good deals since I've been here and have lived in some pretty decent places. Currently I live in a one bedroom (within that "block") for $1,375 a month - 800 sq. ft, balcony (which are hard to come by in this area), parking, and it's in good condition. People around this area are very friendly and open-minded, but it doesn't matter if you're a social butterfly or a sociopath. The overall vibe is live and let live. Even though most other neighborhoods in Seattle are cheaper to live in they tend be noisy/city-like, except for Queen Anne, but Queen Anne is about a 20-25 minute commute to UW and it's as expensive as Capitol HIll. I hope this helps a little. P.S. The Central District sucks.

I received an email from Cornell... ____________________________________________________ Dear Applicants, Our graduate application review process for the DMA program in Composition is ongoing and is expected to be completed in early March. Thank you for your patience. Department of Music Cornell University ____________________________________________________ I think I may have slowed the process with a piece that's 30 minutes long, accompanied by a complex 80 page score. Sorry, but it will probably only help the other applicants because I'm pretty sure K.E. is the only one that will appreciate my music. On the bright side, I had an informal phone interview with the department head at Ithaca College, and my impression was that they want me! He asked specific questions about my compositions and teaching abilities. It seemed that he was trying to decide whether or not to offer me an assistantship. The interview took place on 2/12/13, and he said I should receive a letter in a couple weeks. Waiting relentlessly.