You’re on your way to a lecture. You enter campus on University, go through the underpass, and step into the John Aird Centre. As you pass by the humongous elevator, you see a bunch of awkward-looking students, their hands gripping onto oddly-shaped bags, and a LOT of books. What you might not know is that this five-storey building houses a community of talented, hardworking, friendly, and sometimes odd, musicians. There are quite a few of us (I mean, Laurier is well-known for its music program), so chances are you know at least one music kid. And we’re always the greatest people you will ever meet. Get to know Laurier’s Faculty of Music better, by traversing into the depths of our souls. Here are thoughts that every Laurier music student has:
1. Do re sol mi do la
Sol mi sol do do mi re fa re sol
Mi do la fa mi re ti sol mi
Re do la fa re la sol la do.
- Hindemith
It may seem difficult (3rd year skills, anybody?), and maybe even pointless at times, but we all know that solfege will help us immensely in the long-run.
(Also, shout out to Rodgers & Hammerstein for teaching us that “La” is “a note to follow Sol”, and all that jazz.)
2. Dear Non-Piano Majors: Must you practice in the room with a grand piano? Sincerely, Every Piano Major.
3. Oh, you’re in Community Music… what is that exactly?
The newest music program within the faculty is a little controversial, met with some confusion. But it’s full of inspiration, excitement, a sense of community (but of course!), and bonus: no theory!
4. Secretly loving Paynter’s ridiculous clefs.
5. And the dominant… the dominant… the dominant… the toni- no wait… the dominant… the dominant… I NEED RESOLUTION!
Finally hears the tonic, breathes a sigh of relief and comfort.
6. Dear Non-Music Students: Get out of our practice rooms!
Sorry, friends… not to be mean, or rude, but we kind of need to use them in order to pass our courses. Thanks. (Yes, we are possessive over our limited practice room space.)
7. Oh my word, it’s Beethoven’s Third.
8. Will Gerard ever reply to my email?
…
Nope!
9. Why am I not practicing? – Every Music Student
Sleep with your music. Eat with your music. Shower with your music. Breathe in your music. MUSIC = LIFE!
10. Am I okay with not making sufficient money to support myself in the future? YES!
11. Sees the Dean in the halls. Instantly transcends this plane of reality to pure inner peace.
Anyone else love it when the Dean comes up to you in the halls and has a conversation with you about life? Or perhaps some positive encouragement, saying that everything will be okay. I know I do.
12. It’s not “pineapple” or “alligator” anymore, it’s “ta-ki-da” and “ta-ka-di-mi”.
Skills is actually the best music course the university offers, trust. SO useful.
13. What are we even learning in contexts?
Despite the confusion, you really do learn a lot of interesting things that might spark some inspiration, or finally become relevant to your future studies.
14. Playing the same piece as the person in the neighbouring practice room.
15. RE: Practice Rooms: I should be practicing. All of them are taken. Guess I’m not practicing.
16. Sees Kathy in the hall. Instantly calms.
17. Why is the cell phone service and WiFi so crappy in the practice rooms though?
Because they want you to practice, with NO distractions, that’s why.
18. When someone is playing the same piece as you, you feel the need to be better than them.
It turns into a competition of sorts, but it also motivates and pushes you to practice and to improve your musicianship.
19. Carol is literally the sweetest professor ever!
The faculty’s mom.
20. I love being a part of the music faculty; it feels like a second family.
Our community is so tight-knit that we’re constantly chatting in the hallways with friends from different years; professors stop us in the halls to check up on your personal life; you’re always guaranteed that somebody will make your day; and the faculty is just burning with passion and inspiration. There’s nothing better than doing something you love.
Check out Laurier’s Music faculty here!