The CalArts Dream

 

The CalArts Dream

two years ago, when I was looking through Alex's Hirsch (creator of Gravity Falls) past work, I found several of his University films. I've decided to dig through them and saw a lot of the amazing progress that Alex made in his life- in the California Institute of the Arts- better known as "CalArts''. Since then- it became my long term dream and goal to learn in this University.

Here is a little summarization about CalArts:

Founders Walt and Roy Disney have created the University CalArts to form a place for art students across the world to associate with each other. There are six schools/units/departments in the University:
>Art
>Critical Studies
>Dance
>Film/Video

>Music

>Theater

The department I'm interested in, is the Music department. I have looked deeper into the school and here's what I found: Every department has a "school" program- and so every school is parted across other smaller programs in specialization, and for they have:
>Composition and Experimental Sound Practices

>InstrumentalArts

>Jazz

>Music

>Musical Arts / Experimental Pop

>Music Technology

>Performer-Composer

>VoiceArts

>World Music Performance

Of course, I chose one program that I’m the most interested in, which is VoiceArts.

Here's the research I've made about this program:

The program diverges into two different categories- the BFA and MFA sessions.

The BFA session is a 4-years program, while the MFA is a 2-year program.

Before I dive into them, let's explain the overview about them:

"Students in both the BFA and MFA tracks focus on developing a “post-classical'' vocal technique, which grows out of the Western classical foundations of voice and tone production to include a more extensive skill and style palette—including extended vocal techniques, improvisation, non-Western vocal styles, sound art, and the use of electronics."

To be clear- both programs suggest unique kinds of genres and vocal techniques. They use Post Classical techniques to develop different kinds of musical styles.

"Voice artists perform in numerous solo and ensemble situations as well as in self-generated, peer and interschool projects. Opportunities include chamber and large ensembles, contemporary and experimental vocal ensembles, opera and concert theater productions, jazz, improvisation and world music ensembles, among others."

To simplify, the artists get a lot of chances to seize their talent with other talented friends and artists- in the Ensembles, Opera related projects, Jazz group, improvising and collaborations with worldwide artists.

The trial I'm interested in is the 4-year session BFA

Here's a brief look about the BFA trail:

"The BFA program of study is uniquely designed around the concept of the "Music Artist." Unlike a traditional conservatory approach, it allows each student to cultivate a far-ranging musical skillset while also providing specialized training best suited to meet individual goals."

The BFA session is standing beside the term of an Artist. It gives every single student an opportunity to seize every little bit of their talent so they could approach their life goal.

Here's what's specializes the BFA trial-

"BFA VoiceArts students are trained in the fundamentals of vocal technique through intensive voice lessons and a range of foundational requisites. The rigorous BFA curriculum incorporates language, text and repertoire studies, contextualization of artistic work, performance and interpretation studies, keyboard studies, composition for voice, technology, multidisciplinary performance, professional development, and a vast array of ensemble and solo performance opportunities, as well as working with a significant number of guest artists who come from multiple fields and backgrounds." 

Students who decide to take the BFA trail have special courses that incorporate the studies of different languages, different repertoire, vocal composition, technology, professional vocal development, performance collaborations with a large community of artists and guests from a variety of different backgrounds, solo performances, and the corporation of multidisciplinary performances at once.

Therefore; the BFA trial is the one I desire to apply to.

There are three Interdisciplinary Opportunities you can take on the BFA trail:

>Interschool Degree

>Digital Arts Minor

>Music Theory Minor

Both Digital Arts Minor and Music Theory Minor are made as support programs for undergraduate students to expand their knowledge about music; to perform as a support manner due to them being undergraduate.

Since I am yet to be learning in CalArts, I can’t choose an Interdisciplinary Opportunity- due to it being a program for students’ degree.

Currently, I am in the 9th grade- and University is a long term goal I’m aiming to get to one day. I am well aware of the fact that I am still young, but I’ve decided that I want to work hard and invest all I can so I could achieve my goal- my dream. The dream of getting accepted into the California Institute of the Arts. And here’s how I’m planning on doing that:

Currently, I am learning in the national high school located in Israel- Thelma Yellin.

A school of arts- the top art school in the country.

It's like every normal high school, of course. Having to do A High School Diploma and matriculation examinations are of course included, yet the high school is also dedicated to the study of arts. 

Approximately 100 people come and go every year, in addition to the school keeping the number "600" as their number of students learning in the school every year, not less and not more.

There are six art departments in the school-

>Jazz

>Classical Music

>Dancing

>Theater

>Film

I'm in the Classical Music department- and here's what I do here:

First of all, there’s an entrance exam that you need to pass in addition to get into the school, of course. In my case, I knew I wanted to learn in Thelma Yellin since I was in 4th grade- and so, I have worked non-stop for 4 years and did my best so I could get in.

In the first exam, I’ve performed 3 Opera pieces:

>Die Lotosblume- Robert Schumann

>Così Fan Tutte, Aria no.19 “Una Donna A Quindici Anni” - Mozart

>Balada al Hamoriko- Sasha Argov

Unfortunately, I have failed the exam, yet fought to retake it.

After two months of hard work, I retook the exam, and performed:

>Die Lotosblume- Robert Schumann

>Come Again, Sweet Love- John Dowland

>Balada al Hamoriko- Sasha Argov

I have succeeded in passing the exam, and all I had left was the interview.

I was told that the answers will arrive in two or three days- and so I waited. To my surprise, the answer came at 3PM- the same day I interviewed, and I was glad to find out that I was accepted to the National High School Thelma Yellin.

Now, I am a part of the school’s Opera Choir- where all Opera Students from the school participate in. In terms of the Classical Music Unit studies- I learn Music Theory, Music History, Solfège and Music Literature.

Overall, I need to put in a lot of effort and hard work into this school, so I could progress my skills and expand my knowledge about music, for I know I want to associate with music in the future.

And to continue with my musical dream- I have decided to set my mind on the University CalArts. It’ll take years of hard work, yet it’s worth every single bit of it.