After a couple of weeks in the program I have found out that there is a great amount of effort required to succeed.  Yesterday I spent one hour in the library translating the text from Italian and German art songs into literal, word-for-word English.  But there was one song that the collection of translations did not have.  Treue Liebe, by Johannes Brahms.  I went to my teacher, Dr. Dewey, who then took the time one on one to personally translate, (from her own mind) the piece.  The text was rather stirring, and that is why we as singers need to have a literal translation.  Because you need to know which words to stress.  It may not seem that important, but it is needed if you wish to become serious about your singing.

Follow the Leader

While I understand that being a section leader gives you absolutely no power on the choir totem poll, it is still a decent amount of responsibility.
That is what I thought when I was assigned to be a quintet leader for our 40 voice piece.  What a wonderful idea! Make the freshman the leader!
Yeah I was choir president when I was in high school, but what did I do? Absolutely nothing.  It is a good thing that the other members in Chamber are also very talented musicians, because I do not think that I could manage many Taylors...

The mentality of rehearsal in Chamber is much higher than that of the former Chamber group I was a member in during high school.  There is not pointless banter, and it really adds to a positive rehearsal atmosphere.  The ability the members of the choir have to be able to switch genres at the drop of a hat is amazing.  I witnessed this as during rehearsal we went from singing Negro Spirituals to the Bee Gees.

The atmosphere of the Vocal Performance program also seems a lot less competitive than I imagined before coming to the University.  I have made some friends, from Jacob to "Tim the Bass."  While reconnecting with another vocalist of whom I went to high school with.  Everyone, at this point, seems to really care about the growth of each of their peers.  I was told that these other vocalists would become my best friends throughout college, and right now I am fine with that. There are some great people between the professors to the students.  I can't wait to really get started.

Required?

Today I was informed in a Voice Recital class that I am actually going to be required to write a blog about my practice experience. I hope that what I was already planning to do will suffice for my Professor's very high standards.

This week has already turned out to be a phenomenal week. I got accepted into the Head of the Vocal Department's voice studio and I was admitted the USU Chamber Singers as a Freshman. But the daunting task of 2+ hours daily... I really have no clue how I will handle that. But it will have to be something I learn to do.

Piano is also one thing that scares me more than anything. I have never had any formal experience, but I am going to be required to pass a proficiency exam.

Already I am learning that a high school maturity of rehearsal is nowhere near the level that I am trying to achieve.  Here we are working to become professionals, and artists. A true statement is that every artist was once an amateur. Studying just like I am.  To face these challenges I am just going to keep a wrestling mentality, work until you can do it, and never give up.

Why Me?

I often ask this myself about, "why would anyone really listen to whatever I have to say?" For how old I am, 18, I consider myself to be somewhat of a "prodigy." By that I don't mean that I am by any ways a Mozart or Mendelssohn.  But in my fifth year of studying music I have risen to a level that some children only dream of being close to.

I suppose I should start by telling you a bit about myself.  My name is Benjamin Krutsch, Baritone.  Well I might be a baritone, I will not know my true voice for another few years.  I started singing when I was in Ninth Grade, in a school choir. Three years later I started taking voice lessons from a local teacher, who was very knowledgeable about the art. Then in February of my senior year of high school I auditioned for entrance into Vocal Performance at Utah State University. A little over a month later I was notified of my acceptance, and that I had been awarded the highest award that the University could offer for an incoming Voice major. And as I write this post today I am waiting for a class in the Fine Arts Center.

My Awards and honors include both Musical, Educational, and Athletic.
Sterling Scholar of Music at the School Level
Synergy Award at Springville High School
Five Time Superior Soloist
Academic All-State in Folk-Style Wrestling
Selected as 1 of 4 Male Vocalists for an American Culture Show in China
President of Choirs at Springville High School

While to some I may seem to be bragging, I am merely stating the truth.  My purpose in this Blog is to illustrate my Journey through the College Level of Music.  And I hope to be updating this blog regularly.  I also hope that my stories might inspire other musicians behind my to reach for the stars.

Benjamin J. Krutsch