Smilnak,+Elyse

Elyse's Page

Goals: 1. I wish to improve my overall tone and pitch accuracy for both flute and bassoon. This can be aquired with more practice and focus specifically on my sound and airstream, instead of focus on rhythms and fingerings.

2. My second goal is to increase by range on both instruments, above and below the staff. As a practice, I will repeat scales, gradually adding new notes and fingerings.

3. Lastly, I would lilke to improve my ability of sight-reading. As I become more comfortable and achieve my first two goals, note recognition will become easier, and I will be able to sight-read more accurately and with a better tone.

What Music Means to Me:

Music is a huge part of my life, whether it be just humming a tune, or performing in band or chorus. However, there is so much more meaning behind music than just that. Music also has the power to create or change my mood or emotion. It can cheer me up or calm me down. Music gives me a way to express myself and to be creative. It allows me to focus my energy into developing something amazing and new, rather than book-work in an ordinary class. Music helps me to become a very well-rouned person and gives me many opportunities in my life. It means experiencing new events, such as performing at Juniata College or commissioning "Hypnotic Fireflies." All of these things are memorable because they are done with great people and friends. Together, we work and share music as a common passion, but everyone's individual interests and aspirations are supported and encouraged. Music means building connections with these people, but also creates a universal language for the entire world to speak. Although different, music is one similarity that binds together nations and cultures, no matter what the distance. Music is also able to express thoughts, feelings, and situations that words could not even begin to describe. Personally, music mostly means to me, a way of expression for myself, and a true connection with others around me. Music is such and inspiration in my life because of the power and unlimited possibilities that it contains.

Six Words that Describe Me as a Musician:

I would describe myself as a musician as developing, naive, persistant, optimistic, dedicated, and successful. As a musician, especially on the bassoon, I continually am developing my skills. I do not know everything, and will never be perfect, but over time, I will get consistantly better, and in the long run, the changes will be very significant. I consider myself naive because of all of the things I don't know. I am only aware of a small portion of music, talents, and arts that the world and history have to offer. I am persistant because of the drive I have to catalyze my developing skills. I am motivated to get better and to improve my overall understanding of my instruments and music alike. I am optimistic in the sense that I know I can make a change and a difference, not only in my performance of music, but also through music, reaching out to the rest of the world. My dedication is shown through the time that I put into my part and music, but also with the music family. Lastly, I consider myself successful because of the other five things. Even though there are weaknesses within each of them, they all help me to become a better musician and overall person, as well. Through those personal stepping stones, I have been able to find individual success.