This weekend, a Master of Music in Jazz Performance was conferred upon me by the President of the University of South Florida. It all sounds much more grand than it actually is and, for a moment, it all felt pretty grand as well. What, with the 500+ Graduate Students receiving degrees, Doctoral Students being referred to as “Dr.” for the first time, and the thousands of spectators, it was rather inspiring.

I’m not sure it will last, though. Here comes life.

This does mean more posts, though.

And, in case you were wondering, Pink is the official color of the discipline of Music as laid out by the American Council on Education in their Academic Costume Code

I’ve been preparing for my Graduate Recital.  I had the hearing for said recital today and it went well (in the sense that I’m allowed to move forward with my recital).  After that, I received my questions for my comprehensive exams (three papers in one week) and heard a reading of my very first big band piece, an arrangement of Jimmy Rowles’ “The Peacocks.”

It was probably the most monumental day of my graduate career and went well, all things considered.  You won’t see me much for the next week, as I write these papers.  Well, I’ll probably come to you for help, but not yet.

See you soon!

Now, I am married and and 25 miles from campus. I have real responsibilities and a lot of commitments. This may turn out to be a study in time management (whether it is effective time management or not will reveal itself in the future). In the meantime, I’ve got more practicing to do.