Photo: Courtesy of The Colburn School.
In partnership with The Colburn School: Located in Downtown Los Angeles, the institute provides the highest quality performing arts education at all levels of development in an optimal learning environment.
St. Louis Symphony violinist Melody Lee is passionate about modern art, and attributes the origins of that passion to an art history course taken during her time at the Colburn Conservatory.
On one level, that doesnt seem so surprising. Why shouldnt a professional artist in one field have a deep appreciation for another? The life of a musician, though, can be an isolated one: hours alone in a practice room, focusing on perfecting technique, with little time for non-music pursuits.
In Lees case, the interest started with a mundane journey: a walk across a pedestrian plaza from the Colburn Conservatory of Music to the Museum of Contemporary, Los Angeles in Downtown L.A.
Im kind of embarrassed to say it, she says in a telephone interview, But I was an undergraduate at Colburn and never visited MOCA until close to the end of my four years there.
An art history course taken as an upper-classman there forced me to step off campus... even just next door.
And that opening of her eyes to more than musical scores is one of the things Lee treasures about her experiences at the Colburn Conservatory of Music.
--
--
It is tempting to think of the Colburn Conservatory, one of the top conservatories in North America, as a kind of artistic trade school for young men and women who have decided to forgo a conventional college education in favor of a single-minded focus on developing their performance skills.
But all of Colburns 60 to 70 students in the bachelor's degree program and some of its graduate students are required to do course work in the humanities as part of a curriculum that includes music theory, ear training, keyboard studies, studio classes, private lessons, and seminars offering deep dives into career-related topics.
Why?
While Lee isnt ready to say that her interest in and knowledge of modern art has somehow transformed her playing, she acknowledges its importance to her. Theres a parallel between modern art, new music, and their respective historical lineage, and my interest has made me think of how we could contextualize that for our musical audience, she says.
Colburn faculty member Dr. Gwen Robertson said she has challenged her students to define what constitutes success in performance. She said they agree that it means being different in some way that makes you stand out. She said they acknowledge that technical proficiency comes first, but the one that gets the solo is better in some way. They tell her that means the excellent player can bring more passion, more emotion, more performance to the music. Asked how a performer can attain those things, she said they mention among other things knowing what the music means, knowing why it was written, knowing how its been received.
According to professor Dr. Douglas Smith, one of five members of the Colburn Schools humanities faculty, theres tremendous value to a broad liberal arts education in terms of skills like critical thinking, writing, and speaking. No matter what youre doing, whether its playing a violin or writing code, those skills are invaluable.
And this is where the two professors agree that the broadening effect of the liberal arts education helps Colburn students most. As Dr. Robertson puts it: I believe every democratic citizen needs a well-rounded education. No matter what these people go on to do, theyre going to be citizens of this world. If they dont have the capacity to think for themselves, they cant contribute to the world. What humanities coursework does is ask you to think for yourself. In this world, now more than ever, we need that.
Photo: Courtesy of The Colburn School.
Smith, a historian by training who has taught graduate courses in urban studies, notes the reality that for some of the students the time they spend in humanities is time they dont spend in the practice room.
Robertson, an art historian who teaches freshman English and upper-level art history, agrees. Many of them arrive on campus and say I just want to play, but when they leave they want to think critically as well. Theyre realizing the performers who bring a lot to their music are able to draw on other experiences. That starts to make an impact on them.
Most of the undergraduate students at Colburn want to emerge with a bachelors degree rather than a performance diploma, because, says Robertson, also a humanities professor at the Colburn School, If they want to go on and get a graduate degree, they may need a bachelor's degree first. And many of them just want to have a degree, or their parents want them to have a degree.
Although the extreme focus that music students have on their craft presents distinct challenges, the two professors note a couple of advantages:
They know what it means to work really hard, says Smith, and Robertson notes that they are much better with presentations, perhaps because they are so used to performing in public.
On the other hand, says Robertson, You have to be very careful with instructions because they are very good at following instructions. In order to be a skilled musician at 18, youve learned to follow the examples provided to you by your teachers, and to learn from their feedback to do things the correct way.
Violinist Melody Lee followed up on her undergraduate studies, earning a professional studies certificate at the Colburn School in 2012. Now that she's out of school, Lee has become her own humanities teacher, seeking out modern art exhibits wherever she travels, even contacting Robertson for suggested reading on her artworld finds.
The Vancouver native valued her humanities courses while in school. They helped put my mus
Most recent headlines
04/08/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....
03/06/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...
04/05/2024
NEW YORK As the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month kicks off in May, Nielsen has released an extensive new report diving into their media habits with data sh...
04/05/2024
PHILADELPHIA As National Military Appreciation Month gets underway, Comcast has announced several new initiatives to help veterans, service members, and their f...
04/05/2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has announced a tentative agenda for the May Open Commission Meeting scheduled...
04/05/2024
The Broadband Forum has announced major enhancements to key 5G convergence standards that the group said will help advance next-generation applications, improve...
04/05/2024
Spotify Wrapped Campaign Spot Graded With DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
Blackmagic Design today announced that Colorist M...
04/05/2024
Three Boston Conservatory at Berklee Alums Nominated for Tony Awards An additional eight alums and two current students performed in nominated productions.
...
03/05/2024
An innovative learning tool to help media and civil society better understand ho...
03/05/2024
PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 21: (L-R) Actors K stutis Cic nas and Greta Grinevi i t , Director Marija Kavtaradze and Producer Marija Razgute attend the 2023 Sunda...
03/05/2024
If you aren't familiar with Danny Ocean's music, it's only a matter ...
03/05/2024
Spotify has an unwavering commitment to supporting emerging artists across all genres, to helping them launch and thrive in their careers, and to connecting the...
03/05/2024
Como uno de los sonidos de mayor expansi n en el mundo, la M sica Mexicana va m ...
03/05/2024
As one of the fastest-growing sounds worldwide, M sica Mexicana is more than jus...
03/05/2024
NEW YORK FuboTV reported that it lost 110,000 subs in Q1 2024 but it exceeded its guidance for the quarter with double digit year-over-year increases across key...
03/05/2024
Only 3 Weeks Left To Enter The Creative Industries Most Award
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
Creativepool is giving a last call to the creative i...
03/05/2024
WePlay Studios Transforms the Future of Live Event Storytelling with AJA Gear
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
By 2032, the esports market is expec...
03/05/2024
WASHINGTON Shannon Bream, Fox News Sunday anchor and chief legal correspondent, sat for a keynote chat at The Business of TV News, with Tom Umstead, senior co...
03/05/2024
WASHINGTON Asked how important is local news, Martha Raddatz, who has covered foreign conflicts for decades and moderated presidential debates for ABC News, s...
03/05/2024
Sony Pictures and Apollo Global Management have made a $26 billion cash offer fo...
03/05/2024
CBS announced its 2024-2025 primetime schedule, which features the new dramas NCIS: Origins, Matlock and Watson, and new comedies Poppa's House and Georgie ...
03/05/2024
Sports-focused streaming service Fubo said it reduced its red ink in the first quarter, despite losing 110,000 subscribers since the end of the year....
03/05/2024
Walmart is reportedly about to release a new 4K streaming box/smart speaker hybrid device for Google TV that could retail for as low as $50, according to a repo...
03/05/2024
Enhancements to its Delivery Workspace solution provide increased content delivery robustness and security
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: May 3, 2024
Enha...
03/05/2024
According to reports, if the bid is successful, Sony would be the significant majority shareholder of the new private company
By Jenny Priestley
Published: M...
03/05/2024
Located in Manchesters Spinningfields district, the course aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and industry insight for a career in the creative s...
03/05/2024
Lightbridge has created a new Cine Reflect Lighting System kit, dedicated to enabling artistic lighting with consideration of today's productivity practical...
03/05/2024
Broadcast media systems integrator BeckTV and Lawo worked together on a large-scale AES67 build of radio control rooms at KPBS, San Diego's NPR and PBS memb...
03/05/2024
Raleigh, NC, April 12, 2024 SmallHD announces PageOS 6, a powerful software update free for owners of SmallHD monitors, featuring increased functionality, exp...
03/05/2024
SmallHD announces the Quantum 32 a new 31.5 OLED monitor designed to provide reference HDR/SDR images for post-production final color grading, as well as cri...
03/05/2024
By 2032, the esports market is expected to grow to $9.29 billion, bolstered by a global player count and fan following that both continue to climb. The 2023 Lea...
03/05/2024
Amagi, the global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV (CTV), today announced that the 11th edition of the Amagi Global FAST Rep...
03/05/2024
Riedel Communications today announced that Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) is relying on a media and intercom network based on Riedel technology for the renewal of...
03/05/2024
Broadpeak , a leading provider of content delivery network (CDN) and video streaming solutions for content providers and pay-TV operators worldwide, announced t...
03/05/2024
Media technology innovator Limecraft will exhibit the latest updates to its online platform on stand G79 at the 15-16 May 2024 Media Production & Technology Sho...
03/05/2024
Audio interface specialist Prism Sound is partnering with console manufacturer Solid State Logic, professional monitor manufacturer PMC and acoustic panel and d...
03/05/2024
Intinor, Sweden's leading developer of products and solutions for high-quality video over the internet, is set to join forces with its UK partner Zest Techn...
03/05/2024
NAKIVO Inc., a fast-growing software company dedicated to protecting physical, virtual, cloud, and SaaS environments, announced its Q1 2024 financial results to...
03/05/2024
Hiltron Communications announces an addition to its range of satellite communication products and systems: a field-upgradable motorisation kit specifically desi...
03/05/2024
Visit LiveU at Stand D30
With this year an exceptional one for major sporting events alongside multiple, key elections, the power and flexibility of LiveU'...
03/05/2024
Agile Content, the leader in the development of technology and solutions for the provision of television services over the Internet, announces Koldo Unanue as i...
03/05/2024
Eight co-signers representing streaming services, pay TV operators and public interest groups have sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging their Committee...
03/05/2024
BOSTON Brightcove has announced that it has implemented Amazon Q Business, a new generative AI assistant on Amazon Web Services (AWS)....
03/05/2024
NEW YORK CBS has declared that it will finish the 2023-24 season as Americas Most-Watched Network in primetime for the 16th consecutive season....
03/05/2024
A new survey indicates that U.S. businesses and consumers had an overall positive attitude towards their technology spending plans in the first quarter of 2024,...
03/05/2024
Sony and Apollo Global Management have sent an offer letter to Paramount Global's board of directors making an $26 billion all cash offer for Paramount Glob...
03/05/2024
EMG / Gravity Media has appointed Charlie Cubbon chief operating officer (COO) and Jamie Hindhaugh regional CEO for the U.K., U.S., Australia and the Middle Eas...
03/05/2024
Final 2024 Season Games to Air Saturdays on WRAL at 10:30am in May, Championship on June 1
Taping for the final episodes of the 2024 season of WRAL-TV's Br...
03/05/2024
Estrella MediaCo said it is expanding its connected TV portfolio by launching three new channels with Curiosity that will first appear on Samsung TV Plus....
Photo: Courtesy of The Colburn School. 
