"Are you in the con?"A typical question many students get asked at Lawrence. If the answer is, "yes," welcome; this is for you. Being in the con here in the lovely Appleton, Wisconsin is definitely a very specific, unique experience that no one will understand, well, if they're not in the con. So what's it like being a 'connie?'
1. Realizing you will probably never have less than five classes
So you may be overloading on credit hours for the next four years, which brings much stress and a lot of homework. But it's music, so you'll get through it, right?
2. You understand that sight singing is, and probably will be, one of the most fun classes you'll ever take
Especially when you see DiBella's disapproving face when your whole class bursts into laughter while forgetting all of the solfege syllables.
3. You, like mostly everyone, dread BKS each week
As musicians, we all are aware that knowing how to play piano is an extremely important skill. Sadly, realizing this doesn't make BKS much more enjoyable. The instructors are great; however, chord progressions and scales are not.
4. You will most likely never eat all three meals again in a day
Sadly, there just sometimes isn't time for lunch with the 20 minute gap between classes and you know for certain you're not waking up before your 8:30 a.m. to get breakfast. Dinner? You have opera rehearsal. Luna Bar, it is!
5. You complain about World Music Series concerts being a requirement, but are always glad you went
Yes, they are at 8:00 p.m. and by that time, you're ready to pass out from exhaustion. But, these concerts are free for you and it just shows you the potential amazing musician you can become.
6. The practice room becomes your second dorm room
You definitely have a favorite one and spend more time in there than you do sleeping. It's where all the magic and improvement (and frustration and crying) happens. If you're a piano major? Kudos to you, you kind, dedicated soul.
7. You have few, to no friends outside of musicians
Considering most of your classes are in the con building, you don't venture to the other side of campus for class a lot of the time. You spend your days with a lot of the same people so it's difficult to meet the college kids. This results in literally not knowing anyone who isn't a musician.
8. You have to deal with people at home thinking that all you do all day is sit around in a circle and play kazoo
Your family and friends, although supportive of your dreams (hopefully), probably won't ever understand what exactly is it you do all day. It's probably best they don't.
9. You discover that part writing isn't as simple as it looks on the page
Turns out writing music is much more complex than anyone though. It also turns out part writing assignments take forever. Especially when you finally finish and find wrong doublings, parallels, and hidden octaves all over the place. Time to erase and start fresh!
10. Your studio teacher becomes your best friend and therapist
Although they have seen you cry many times and are absolutely wonderful, talented musicians themselves, they want to see you succeed and make you better so you know not to expect them to be easy on you.
11. The times you see Zeek, the conservatory dog, it always brightens your day
Just look at that face.
12. When you can't...Because you have rehearsal
Having rehearsal all of the time makes it difficult to have a functional social life but that's okay, because - music.
13. Everybody knows when a vocalist gets sicks because they don't shut up about it
When a vocalist is sick and can't sing, you will definitely hear about it because they can't sing. If you're the one who is sick, you aren't surprised when a vocalist yells at you to stay away.
14. When people ask you, "Do you have a back-up plan?"
No comment.
15. When you realize being a con student is awful and amazing all at the same time
Sure, we chose the stressful life. But at the end of the day, the amazing faculty and music make it all worth while.
