So one of the amazing things about being a student at the University of Rochester is the opportunity to get involved with the Eastman School of Music since it is only a short bus ride or drive away.
I've mentioned before how I have been taking lessons at Eastman since my first semester as an undergraduate, and there are many students who take Eastman classes on top of their River Campus classes as well. It is a wonderful thing to be able to study what you want and pursue a love for music at the number one music conservatory in the country.
Apart from academics, Eastman also provides a lot of entertainment to the community and its students, both there and on the River Campus. Concerts happen in Kodak Hall regularly, and there are other venues where performances can be seen.
I recently went to see The Street Scene at Kodak Hall, an American-based opera set in New York City in the mid-1900s. It was the first opera performance I had ever attended, and I am so glad I went to see it. My main reason for going was to see my voice teacher, since he played one of the leads. It was really cool being able to see him on the stage. I got to witness firsthand the maximums of his abilities as a performer and singer. He definitely blew me away, as did all of the performers on stage. Since it was an opera in English and based in New York City, there were characters from all backgrounds, like German, Irish, and Italian. So the actors mimicked the relative accents to their part, which made it a really entertaining thing to listen to. However, it was an opera, so when they sang their songs, they went from nasally, accented speaking to classical operatic singing. It was an amazing switch and must have taken so much focus. I was really impressed.
It was an incredible performance and I am so glad I went, especially since it was yet another performance I got to see in Kodak Hall. The Eastman Theater is one that will always hold me in wonder. It is a beautiful place and I will always make sure to come back to it no matter where I end up in my future, even just for a weekend to see one show. Experiencing the college life on campus is one thing, but experiencing the culture scene and the community of the city is a whole other unique experience.
Future and current students of the University of Rochester, I highly encourage you to take the one or two nights from your semesters to see a full performance at the Eastman School of Music. Whether it is a full play, opera, or even just an end-of-the-year recital by students, you will love it and want to go back to see more. I promise!