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