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Show DAILY C14 UTAH CHRONICLE CHALLENGE MUSIC continued from Page C11 continued from Page C4 posted, I found that he had ruined my string of several successive 4.o semesters. He gave me an A-. I didn't graduate with a perfect GPA, but I did gain an invaluable education. It turns out that what I had done that semester was exactly what he thinks college students should do. When we spoke last week about what students should look for when choosing professors, Garrott shared a valuable piece of advice: "Challenging oneself should be the essence of the college experience. We grow only when we're challenged." If you want to experience the essence of the college experience, I encourage you to challenge yourself. Find at least one class each semester that you know will stretch you beyond your normal capabilities and then give it your best shot. Sometimes, you'll set the curve in the class. Other times, you'll fall short of perfection even after giving all that you have to give. But regardless of the outcome, you will have experienced what college is really all about—learning, growing and challenging yourself. Let me tell you the story of a professor who taught a Jazz History class. This class had a reputation with all students for being a great class for those who wanted an easy "A" because all that was required was to show up and listen to jazz. "What is the most important question on the test?" the professor would ask the class of soo. "Your name!" they would all respond in unison. Every year, one student in the class would approach the professor and ask, "So, how does one become a musician?" Every year, one of those students would graduate from the music department. Are you that student? letters@chronicle.utah.edu Have you ever thought you like music enough that you could let it take you around the world? If you say yes, then music will take over your life. When I finished my freshman year, I found myself in Rome, Italy. My orchestra conductor had invited a few of the students to play in a small opera festival a few blocks from the Colosseum for six weeks. I had only been playing classical bass for two semesters. The rest of the orchestra was made up of professional Italian musicians who didn't speak much English, yet we were able to play together because the language of music was the same. Even though it was a language I had just begun to learn, they were able to teach it to me simply by playing. The rest of my August 2010 undergraduate career took me to Canada, North Carolina, Argentina, Chile, Spain and back to Italy twice. Everywhere I went, music was the common language. The key to a successful life is awareness. If you choose to study music, your survival will depend on how aware you are of your surroundings, where just like in skiing, you must be in sync with the mountain. You will develop these skills as second nature, and this is why many times master degree programs will take a music degree over any other degree. If your heart is resonant with rhythm and harmony and the sweet sounds of melody, then I invite you to take a chance. What do you have to lose? letters@ chronicle.utah.edu real news in real time walk daily uta chronicle • COM Visit us at the Reach Your Potential 2010 Utah Graduate School Fair Learn about WSU's graduate programs. Master of Accounting Master of Taxation Master of Athletic Training Master of Business Administration (MBA) Master of Criminal Justice Master of Education Master of English Master of Health Administration Master of Nursing Master of Professional Communication Master of Radiologic Sciences A promotion. A pay raise. A career shift... You know what you want. A master's degree can help you get it. Reach your potential by earning a master's degree from Weber State University. University of Utah Union Ballroom Wednesday, September 24, 2010 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY weber.edu/graduateprograms f Tue. Aug. 24 11:00 PM • Can Dreams Predict the Future? ••V What Happens When a Scottish Mother Dreams That She Will Be Did Within the Year? "A profound piece of work that is earthy and redemptive at the same time as beingreflective, questioning and diligent.... a poetic masterpiece." – Stuart Delves, Eye for Film POV Films Every Tuesday Night • 11:00 PM KUED The University of Utah |