Music Performance

The performance major is for students who choose to pursue professional careers in music.

“The music performance major is designed for the serious performer,” said Dr. Steven Curtis, academic director at the University of Oklahoma. “Often these people start studying their instrument or voice at an early age. Many would like to earn a performance position in an orchestra, or for singers, performance opportunities in opera.

“In addition to general education courses and many other courses all other students take, performance majors take higher level theory courses. Performance majors also do two recitals instead of one for other degrees.”

Elizabeth Wenzel, harp performance senior, takes music theory classes, large and small ensemble, orchestra, harp ensemble, and private lessons.

Wenzel chose the major because she likes playing the harp.

“I have a harp,” Wenzel said. “And I always thought that if I did something else, I would always regret not doing the harp.”

Wenzel said the other reason she chose to be a performance major is because she likes to play at parties.

“You get to dress up and look pretty,” Wenzel said.

Professors expect students to come to class prepared.

“We expect our students to be serious scholars and performers,” Curtis said.

Wenzel practices about three to four hours a day.

“Be prepared,” Wenzel said. “You must know your music.”

There is a reason for the long practice sessions. Incidents can occur during a performance. Wenzel’s harp string broke in the middle of the musical, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

“When things go wrong,” Wenzel said. “The directors are looking at you, chewing their nails, and hoping you’ll get everything under control.”

Wenzel managed to fix her harp string to play through the rest of the musical.

Wenzel also hit someone on the head with her harp the other day.

“I’ve run over plenty of people,” Wenzel said. “But I’ve never hit someone on the head before.”

Weather changes are not good for the harp, Wenzel said.

“A bass wire string popped off during a dress rehearsal because of the weather,” Wenzel said. “It sounded like a gunshot. It scared everyone.”

Wenzel wants to get a job in performance.

“I’d like to get a big orchestral job,” Wenzel said. “But I’ll have to work myself through smaller orchestras first.”

Curtis expects that even though the students are preparing for careers in performance, all of them will probably teach at some point in their careers.

There are ways to increase the chances of success at getting the desired job.

“The people you meet are very important,” Wenzel said.

Wenzel said she doesn’t have much free time, but when she does she attempts to teach her boyfriend how to cook or she drags her sister to go shopping.