When you鈥檙e a master鈥檚 candidate, in your final semester, you don鈥檛 have a lot of time for yourself. Your days are spent writing, researching, neglecting to sleep. And when you鈥檙e working toward your master鈥檚 in music, a good chunk of your day is spent practicing.
And practicing, and practicing.
That said, sometimes an opportunity presents itself that鈥檚 so good鈥攁n opportunity that will demand weeks of your precious time鈥攖hat turning it down isn鈥檛 an option.
Trombone MM candidate Mark Hsieh鈥攄ressed in his finest on a Wednesday afternoon, just minutes removed from his oral exam鈥攕ays he wouldn鈥檛 trade the month of March for anything.
鈥淓ven though now I鈥檓 behind in just about all my class work.鈥�
For three weeks, Hsieh took his talents to South Beach as a substitute bass trombonist for the听, led by artistic director Michael Tilson Thomas.
A self-named 鈥渙rchestral academy,鈥� New World brings together recently graduated musicians (or in Mark鈥檚 case, grad students) for a crash course in the life of a professional; thrice weekly performances, seminars with visiting artists and a paycheck fill the term of up to a three-year contract.
When you鈥檙e a sub, it鈥檚 not that long of a commitment, but it鈥檚 just as intense. At one point on the trip Hsieh was on the road 15 hours in one day鈥攈e says he even had to practice at the airport.
鈥淏ut it鈥檚 rejuvenating. It鈥檚 a great way to see how the professional world works and have a learning experience at the same time,鈥� Hsieh says.
He knew that losing three crucial weeks of his academic career would be worth it; this was Hsieh鈥檚 second stint at the symphony. And he got this follow-up gig through a word-of-mouth recommendation鈥攆rom a 6 year old.
鈥淭he first time I was here, this little boy came in to our rehearsal and wanted to play an instrument. No one wanted to lend him their horns, but I have nephews who play with mine all the time so I said sure,鈥� Hsieh remembers.
鈥淗e loved it. He was so engaged. Then I was just on vacation in Miami, and I found out that his mom was so impressed that she talked to the directors of the program, and they invited me back.鈥�
Among other benefits of the symphony, Hsieh says temporary positions like his open up all the time because New World understands its role in the lives of its musicians.
鈥淭hey know people are always auditioning for full-time jobs, and they鈥檙e open to that.鈥�
That makes it both a good jumping off point for more senior members, and a good foot in the door for new grads. Hsieh says for that reason, he鈥檇 go back in a heartbeat.
鈥淚鈥檝e played in a lot of mid-level orchestras, and this is the best experience I鈥檝e ever had. I鈥檇 definitely recommend other students try out. Even just to get on the sub list.
鈥淎nything you can do to help you become a better professional is worth it,鈥� says Hsieh, as he loosens his collar and heads off to dive into more of that work he鈥檚 behind on.
Hsieh鈥檚 next steps after completing his master鈥檚 will be to apply for DMAs and audition for orchestra positions. That includes following his own advice, and attempting to earn a contract with the New World Symphony.
Story by Jessie Bauters, College of Music
Hsieh appears second from the right in the photograph above. Photo courtesy of Hsieh.
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