Shepherd School takes lead in helping solve classical music’s career conundrum
BY JESSICA STARK Rice News Staff
Like beauty, success is defined in the eye of the beholder. Most classical music students tend to define their future success as a career playing in orchestras, chamber groups or as a soloist. This traditional view leaves other important career opportunities overlooked, a situation Rice’s Shepherd School of Music is determined to remedy.
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National music expert Eric Booth meets with the Shepherd School. From left to right, Rachael Young, David Gerstein, Janet Rarick, Eric Booth and Robert Yekovich.
Already known for its leadership in training top-tier classical musicians, the Shepherd School officially launched a national effort to reset students’ definition of career success with the Oct. 12-14, forum “Careers in Music Performance: Convening Student Perspectives and Creating Models for the 21st Century.” Students and faculty from the most highly respected music training institutions in the U.S. attended, including New England Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory, Northwestern University and Juilliard.
The conference, the brainchild of Benjamin Kamins, professor of bassoon, and Janet Rarick, artist teacher of professional development, included performances, workshops and discussions. Kamins knows firsthand about career challenges, having left a position in a major orchestra to pursue his passion for music through a combination of teaching and performing.
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Eric Booth (standing) facilitating the open rehearsal with the Chiara String Quartet in the center, surrounded by the student participants.
“When students have a narrow view of the profession, they limit themselves in finding their own best career path,” Kamins said. “There is a misconception amongst music students that you get a job in an orchestra and you live happily ever after. It’s incredible to get and keep that job, but it doesn’t guarantee artistic satisfaction.”
Expanding Shepherd School’s training
The forum is just the latest and most visible of a three-year effort by Kamins and Rarick to help Shepherd School students prepare for and respond to career challenges.
“It seemed natural to have very gifted young performers come together to draw positive, creative energy from each other to formulate possible new directions for our profession,” Kamins said. “New research tells us that student perceptions about music careers are significantly influenced by their interaction with their peer groups.”
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