futuredrb

Hey all! I'm currently finishing my undergrad in music composition (the music section of this forum is unfortunately pretty dead so I figured I'd reach out here) and will be continuing onto my master's in the fall with the goal of getting a DMA and doing the whole professional composer and professor thing in the future. I thrive in school and having structure and have always had a very structured life, even (especially) in undergrad because of involvement in ensembles, taking lots of credits, etc. I find myself getting paralyzed in unstructured time. That's starting to happen now in my last quarter of undergrad, and since next year I'll only be taking 8 credits (as opposed to 18), I'm looking for advice on how to break up those long spaces of time so I don't freak myself out and end up squandering away all my time anyway. My assistantship is not very time-intensive, with only 6 hours of tutoring/grading a week. I will be aiming to be composing for 6+ hours a day. Plus other classwork, trying to do score study 1-2 hours a day, hopefully an internship with a contemporary ensemble, etc. Any advice for how to make a structured schedule and stick to it? Thanks! TL;DR - young musician going into grad school and will have large chunks of unstructured time needs help how to structure it and stick to it as to not freak herself out and not do anything.

I've struggled with anxiety and depression for most of my life due to both physical causes (chronic adrenal failure in one of my adrenal glands), an auto-immune disease, and a number of very difficult losses when I was young. I transferred universities after my second year (for a variety of reasons but physical and mental health was part of it) and had a very difficult transition, but finally feel like I found where I'm supposed to be. I'm staying at this university for my master's (music composition). Going through the application process was really difficult, especially with anxiety. I had chronic nightmares for months that I would be rejected from every school to which I applied and that I'd never be a successful composer. It's hard, especially in the arts to not feel like this, but having a great support network is so important. Once I found out I got a full ride to stay at my current school and stay studying with my professor, who's one of my absolute favorite composers, I couldn't believe how much better I felt about *everything.* Things I find help when I know my anxiety's getting bad is to just focus on one small thing at a time. I always make sure that I'm eating well, drinking enough water (and not too much alcohol), sleeping enough (the tough one), and taking all my meds (when my adrenal function dips it immediately causes a spike in anxiety and worsens depression; I don't take SSRIs or anything but my adrenal medication is considered to be an anti-anxiety medication as well). It's hard, and it's hard to talk about it. I know I have to really make taking care of my mental health a top priority because I spend so much time alone. And I'm not afraid to reach out to a couple people who I have a really strong connection with, and who have similar issues as well.

Hey all, I currently live in Chicago and am staying at DePaul for my master's! (Music Composition '21) I think it would be awesome to meet some other musicians, artists, writers, etc etc in the city since we have such a cool arts scene! Anyone else either currently in or relocating to Chicago for grad school?

I'm starting my master's in composition this upcoming fall, and want to get ahead on my language requirement. As far as I can tell, for DMA/PhD's, the requirements are reading proficiency. What's the best way to go around this? I've been Duolingo (not very religiously...) for German and French for a while now, and I plan on incorporating it into my daily school routine more. What are some other good ways/resources for meeting the language requirement? Thanks!

I was the same way yesterday and I found out about funding today! It's almost like you can tell when the news is about to come, subconsciously or something.

I got info on funding from my top school today from two separate emails. Found out my dog has cancer, so then finding out my Master's is fully funded is an absolute dream come true today and much-needed good news. I was on the phone both times when I got the news today - first with my mom, checking my email and responding to a professor, and then with my best friend this evening.

Heard back from my top school about funding - full ride!! Hitting the commit button and celebrating this weekend!! Now I can relax and enjoy the end of undergrad. Best of luck to everyone still waiting, I wish the best for you all!

I'm going to go for my DMA (music) but my university doesn't offer one, and I'd want to go to somewhere else to work with new faculty and be in a new environment anyway! Thanks!

Got a no from University of Illinois yesterday, which I'm very fine with.

I'm 22, finishing undergrad and starting my MM in the fall

Awesome, thank you! there are so many awesome opportunities and I'm always seeking more so I'm excited about it.

Hey all, I transferred to my current university as an incoming junior and stayed on track, which was kind of a miracle. I'm finishing my undergrad now and will be staying at the same school because it is a fantastic environment for me and I love my mentor who I will work with for the next two years. I feel like I really came into my own here this year (as a senior) because the transition was very difficult. How, if at all, should I change between being an undergrad and a grad student in the same program mostly surrounded by the same people (with one new professor next year, whichever incoming freshmen/major changes, and possibly another grad student)? I already am working towards being a student leader in our studio and my mentor has told me how great he thinks that is. Do I need to do anything differently next year? Thanks!

Just got accepted to my top choice school with info on funding coming later this month, but there's money! I'm ECSTATIC!!!

I just got accepted to my top school (where I'm currently finishing my undergrad) and got the email notification after having a really good but emotionally intense meeting with my current mentor (who will be my mentor for the next two years now too!) so this was a very very welcome notice!! I'm so excited!!!!!

Thanks for the awesome lists, everybody! I'm looking at getting a new iPad and was wondering if any grad students have a good way to get a deal. I know Apple offers an educational discount or sometimes gives you headphones (I'm hoping they do an Apple Pen bonus before the start of next school year). Any advice or tips? I'm looking at the current iPad Pro and Apple Pen.