Exciting Discovery

So, I have been looking at all the graduate programs out there for me to apply to for the 2010-2011 school year. I remember being relatively dismayed that the three most popular choices in the Boston area (Boston Conservatory, Boston University, and New England Conservatory) do not offer a MM degree in Organ Performance. I admit it was saddening. So I was at work the other day and decided to look at all the music schools located in Massachusetts. When I put that search criteria in the Google bar (Massachusetts music schools), I was directed to one website that had a comprehensive list of every university/college/conservatory in the entire New England area. As I looked at schools that offered Master's degree programs, one school just happened to catch my eye, and I clicked the link to their site. Once there, I navigated to the degree programs and found that they do, in fact, offer the degree I was seeking. That was nice to find, and I noticed that it was located in Cambridge, MA. At the time, I was not even thinking clearly about where that was (it had not occured to me that was where Harvard is...). Sadly enough, I actually had to look it up on Google Maps just to see where that was...I'm horrible. Well, it all seemed nice enough, but then I got an even bigger surprise about the school in question. I decided to look at the faculty directory to see who taught organ at the school, and one of the two professors turned out to be none other than the great Peter Sykes. That may not mean anything to anyone but me, but Mr. Sykes was the man who transcribed "The Planets" by Gustav Holst for the organ. I have both the score and Sykes's own recording of his piece, and I have forever been in awe of his work. So, when I saw his name, I knew that I really had to look into this school more. Therefore, I have spent hours this week looking at this school, and I think it may just be the right school for me. In case you're still wanting to know, it is the Longy School of Music. I had not heard of it before, but upon further research, I discovered that E. Power Biggs (one of the greatest organists of the 20th century) taught there. That was even more incentive to look into it.

Now I know people wonder why I would be so interested in finding a school in or around Boston. The answer to that is: I want to be near my friends. I have a number of friends who are moving out east after graduating from BYU, and they are looking at living in or around Boston. I would love to be there with them, and now I actually have a chance to make it happen. Also, this school looks like one of the most amazing places in existence, so that will be something I would enjoy more than anything. So, there you have it. I have goals to meet. Woot! Now to just practice my stuff so I can really rock my audition.