Opportunities for Volunteer Musicians

Opportunities for Volunteer Musicians Suzy S. You’ve been practicing and taking music lessons for a while. Are you looking for your next musical challenge? Playing with other musicians is one of the quickest ways to improve, and with National Volunteer Week coming up (April 21-27, 2013), why not make a impact in your community by volunteering your talents? Here are some ideas to get you started Volunteer at events and galas Non-profit or community events always need entertainment! Often these events are for great causes, and its also an awesome way to get your name out there, network, and find new fans! If youre already part of a group or band, try reaching out to specific organizations and expressing your interest in helping out. Better yet, why not organize your own benefit concert? Volunteer with specific organizations There are tons of organizations and non-profits that deal specifically with the music industry and music education. The San Diego Music Foundation, for example, coordinates several events throughout the year that require volunteer help. Their Guitars for Schools program provides Taylor guitars for San Diego-area elementary and middle schools for use in classroom and after-school music activities. Musicians on Call is another amazing program that sends volunteer musicians to hospitals and other healthcare facilities to share the power of music.  Its branches are located in New York, Nashville, Philadelphia, Miami, DC, and Los Angeles. Not in one of those major cities? Not to worry. VolunteerMatch.org is an awesome resource for finding organizations in your area that are looking for help! Volunteer directly at hospitals or nursing homes Music is used as a therapeutic tool in many hospitals and nursing homes across the country. Try contacting your local hospital to see if theyre accepting volunteer musicians. Opportunities at hospitals can range from performing to actually teaching music to patients. If youre considering music therapy as a career path, try looking into internship positions, also! Volunteer at festivals and concerts Even if you dont play an instrument, music fans can get involved with the community by volunteering at music festivals and concerts. If youre interested in music promotions or event planning, you can learn a lot about this important part of the music industry, as well as connect with other music lovers! Church groups Music is a huge part of many different religions, incorporated into worship services, religious ceremonies, and of course, weddings and funerals. Check with your congregation to see if there are opportunities to perform and help out. Piano and guitar are perhaps the most popular instruments found here, but solo opportunities exist for practically any musician, depending on your communitys style. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Mark Brannan

What is it Like to Attend Skidmore College

What is it Like to Attend Skidmore College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Brandon is a New York City tutor specializing in several subjects such as Economics tutoring, Reading, and College Essay prep tutoring. He majored in Theater, Economics, and Government when he attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York and graduated in 2011. See what Brandon had to say about his alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Brandon: Saratoga Springs is probably one of the most beautiful cities in the northeast; it is mostly a summer vacation town, so it doesn't feel like a college town, but there are plenty of options (food, clothing, etc.) for college students. The economy during the summer months drums up enough business for Saratoga to host some of the most amazing restaurants in the northeast, apparently keeping the record for the largest concentration of bars and restaurants in the continental United States (maybe hearsay? Either way, the town feels like that is true). Getting downtown is as easy as taking a free bus from campus, I think they still run every 30 minutes. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Brandon: My professors were almost always available to speak with and I became close with a few of them. Whether a professor is in his or her office all day or not, every professor has mandated office hours during the week. If these conflict with you, most are usually helpful and willing to accommodate. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Brandon: The dining hall is amazing. Friends of mine from home who came to visit said it was the best thing they've ever experienced, especially at a college. Dorm and housing life is always getting better; a new housing establishment has just been finished and the other options are centrally located and easy to get to. I took the off-campus housing option my junior and senior years, just because I love the city of Saratoga and wanted to be more connected with it. Actually, living downtown is different from living on campus; Skidmore is like it's own little community, and so is Saratoga. I just wanted to get a little more connected with the Saratoga community. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Brandon: Well, it's hard to say which program or major Skidmore sees at it's most important. Sure, there are an abundance of students majoring in Business, Studio Art and Foreign Languages, but there is room for other kinds of majors. I majored in Theater and felt very well taken care of. My junior year, I mounted a production of Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit at the historic Caffe Lena in downtown Saratoga Springs and Skidmore gave me a grant to pay for the space and the rights for the play. The Theater department was a tight-knit group and we took care of each other. On the other hand, my housemate senior year majored in Physics and went on to graduate school at University of Washington, studying Aerospace Engineering; so, whatever you study, you will probably be accommodated. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Brandon: I found it really easy to meet people and make friends my freshman year. I was really stressed out about making friends and doing well before I went, but once you arrive you realize that most people are in the same boat; everyone is essentially friendless, so if you put yourself out there, people will respond. Greek life doesn't exist at Skidmore, but we have A'Capella groups, and they come close. I was in one, so it seems that way. People who weren't in A'Capella groups probably didn't care too much though. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Brandon: The Business department at Skidmore is reputable and one of the most active on campus. Ben and Jerry's Phish Food ice cream flavor came from an idea that a group in the Business department's 101 class came up with. Most of my friends received a lot of help from the Career Center and were successful in finding jobs upon graduation. It was different for me; I entered the professional theater world after I graduated, so there was not much Skidmore could have done for me other than train me and give me connections with people after graduation, both of which I received. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Brandon: I mostly studied in the library or in my room (aside from majoring in theater, I minored in government and studied economics Skidmore's Liberal Arts tradition took a hold of me). The library was great and spacious, while I was there at least. Recently, I've heard murmurs of over-crowded-ness around campus, but that may not be true. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Brandon: Saratoga is the best city in the north-east. Every time I go back to that place I have a perpetual smile on my face. Some of the best food I've ever tasted comes from Saratoga. It's so quaint, yet so cultured; there are art galleries, performing spaces, shops with oddities, and plenty of delicious food. While there, try The Local, Ravenous, or Putnam Market. There are so many other places, try it all! I lived downtown my senior year, some of my friends did the same thing. I'd say by senior year about half of the class is living downtown, while the other half stays with the on-campus Northwoods housing option, which is just as awesome. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Brandon: I don't think I had a single class size over 30, and most of them hovered around 10 or 15. I was generally amazed by class sizes. I had an acting class my junior year that was 5 students; this was amazing. I got so much up close and personal work with one of the best acting teachers around, a permanent member of the SITI company and excellent actor in his own right. Government and Economics was generally the same thing, I was mostly very pleased with class sizes. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Brandon: My teachers were all so available; I regret not utilizing all of their office hours more and not becoming friends with more of them. The more you forge a close relationship with a professor, the more you will learn. You'll be more engaged in the teacher and the material, and the teacher will be more engaged with you. Only good things can come of this. Check out Brandons tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.