To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist>
Subject: To Molly--(long)
Date sent: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 16:08:22 -0500
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

(Sorry listers, my program automatically sends my reply back to Vocalist and
since the composer's e-mail address does not appear unless the sender puts
it in the original message, this is the only way I can reply.)

Dear Molly,

You are much too young to quit yet. If you went directly to the church and
sang that well, then you are also too good to quit.

The cards are apparently stacked against you right now. You need a change.
Perhaps a different school, or perhaps your school can offer you a different
teacher. Certainly you must speak to someone at the school about your
experience with regard to him "talking behind your back" to others about why
you didn't get the part. If he was telling anyone the reason he didn't
choose you, then he should have been telling you. And it probably should
have had to do with something you could actually work on, unless the two of
you were equal in terms of ability.

At nineteen you have time to seriously pursue what you love to do. You have
plenty of time in the future to switch majors. Take it from someone who is
49 and trying to get a degree in music--I assure you, it would be much
easier for me to obtain a degree in computers or whatever at this age than
it is trying to go for a music degree.

At your age my choice was work and self-support, get married, or go to
business school. I couldn't see wasting money on business school; I really
wanted music. My parents couldn't see that. You are lucky that your
parents have encouraged you to consider this seriously during break. It
sounds as if they support your musical talent. Back to my thought: I
didn't want to get married so I got a job. I hated that job and switched.
In 3 1/2 years I had 3 jobs and ended up getting married because I didn't
know what else to do.

For the first time since high school I am happy and enjoy waking up in the
a.m.--because I am singing and have found a great voice teacher. In two
months of lessons w/him I have learned more than I did from three other
teachers, and he is encouraging me to try out for opportunities in the area.

I wouldn't recommend your changing majors unless there really is something
else out there that you enjoy as much as you enjoy singing. Just remember
how good singing in church made you feel even though earlier you had
experienced disaster.

Good luck.

Nancy