Self-Assessment

The goal of this Magellan Project was to learn about the culture of classical music and to discover if this genre is struggling as much as it is in the United States, and I believe that I have accomplished this. I have discovered that, yes, classical music is not as popular as it used to be. It was my impression, although, that the closer a culture was tied to the great composers of the classical era, the more important and popular it seemed to be today. I found classical music to be most integral to the identity of the Viennese culture than anywhere else I visited. Everyone I met with in this famous Austrian city seemed to be aware of how closely tied the city is to classical music. Professor Smundits and his colleague from the Universität für Darstellende Kunst even explained to me that it is as much a part of the Austrian identity as the Alps.

An interesting revelation I did not expect to discover was how very different music education is in Europe compared to the United States. Here, many public schools have music programs where a child can learn to play an instrument in the 3rd or 4th grade and play with all of the other students who are also learning music their age during the school day. In contrast, Europe has adopted an after school, private method of teaching instruments. In Vienna, Prague, and Paris instrument lessons are held at conservatories outside of regular school. In Paris, Michelle and Bonnie told me kids and their parents line up from the wee hours of the morning outside the conservatories to hopefully get their child a spot in the music school. But once they get there, the conservatory picks the instrument the child will play. In Europe, there is also more of a focus on private lessons and solo performance versus orchestral, group-style playing, which is drastically different than the States. Most students who learn instruments in public schools, including me do not have private lessons outside of school and always have the opportunity to play in some sort of orchestra, ensemble, jazz band, marching band, pep band, or concert band. In fact, group playing is the central part of music education  in the United States, once the student has past the beginner level.

Before this journey began, I was nervous but also excited to travel by myself. I had never gone so far on my own, but I was excited to meet the challenge I had created. Up until I stepped onto that first flight from Baltimore to Vienna (with a layover in London in between), I had little confidence in my ability to do things on my own. I would constantly ask my friends their opinion, never really stopping to think about what I really wanted or the course of action I thought was best. When it came to studying and academics, I was in my comfort zone and was always offering others my help, but in any other situation I found myself reaching for support. Now that I have returned home, I am more confident in my decisions. I tell people what my plan is rather than asking what I should do. It is a relief not to doubt myself anymore and I am grateful to have had this opportunity to grow.  

Between meetings and navigating the metro, I also learned a little something about myself: I enjoy wandering. My favorite way to spend free time was wandering around winding streets just taking in the sights and being surprised by what’s around the next corner. I also realized that planning too much doesn’t leave much room for life to happen. I found the perfect amount of planning to be one solid event that I must attend, like an interview or a concert, and the rest of the day can be whatever I make of it, letting plans change with every new discovery. I learned the value of taking time for myself and letting my mind and body recharge. I’m braver than I thought I was. By the second week, I was asking strangers to take my photograph, which would have been out of the question only a month prior. I realized I love music for the way it makes me feel and that the simplest things amaze me like ceiling of the Musikverein in Vienna or the way the sunset hits the Prague Castle and Charles Bridge.

I was satisfied with the amount I prepared in terms of know where to go and how to get there with confirmation of everything I ever booked (Thanks Lindsey!!), but there are a few things I would change, ya know if I could time travel. I would have said yes more often. There were a few times I declined an awesome opportunity because it was too far from my original plan. I find myself regretting many of those occasions. I also wished I had done more research on each city not related to the culture of classical music. On the few days I had off, I was scrambling to find something I wanted to do or see while I was there, so having a to do list would have been helpful. For my next Magellan (because I have caught the travel bug and want to explore and learn as much as I can before I graduate) I want to study the ballet in London, Moscow, and Milan. I think I should also plan the order of the cities based on events happening in the city I want to experience, because I missed a few festivals and performances due to the order in which I traveled to each place. I can’t wait to start planning my next adventure and feel more prepared and capable than I ever have before.

I am so glad that I decided to research and submit the Magellan Project application, because I had a truly invaluable experience. I want to thank everyone who helped me make this dream come true including Washington & Jefferson College for funding students like me. Tyler Tenney and Dr. Verdun, thank you both for helping me plan and write my application. Thank you to all my interviewees for taking the time out of your busy lives to have a conversation with me. I very much enjoyed talking with each of you.