Here are some tremendous thoughts from Ally Halperin, our music and fine arts admissions counselor. Please enjoy:
Upon arriving in New Orleans in 2004, I was struck by the amazing music I would hear while wandering the French Quarter and the beautiful artwork and architecture that appears everywhere. It is impossible not to be caught up in the song the city makes, whether it’s the rumble of the streetcar, the sizzle of frying beignets, or the exchange of greetings as you walk down Magazine Street. For those of us who are artistically inclined, this is the place to be.
Loyola provides so many different perspectives and viewpoints, it really is about educating the whole person. I love to wander around campus and see just how creative our students are. Whether I listen to a jam session in the Palm Court or see a cabaret performance in Satchmo’s, I am continually amazed by the amount of creative energy here at Loyola. The students I encounter are so enthusiastic and vivid. Their passion for the arts is contagious.
I always enjoy meeting students both in office and when I travel; however, I must say there is a special gleam in the eyes of a music, theatre, or visual arts student when they discover just what Loyola has to offer them. Students are of an age where exploration is an essential part of their continued education and the College of Music and Fine Arts offers that opportunity alongside a well-rounded, liberal arts education. Here at Loyola, we don’t just teach you about your craft, we teach you how to live.
Whether it is through our wonderful orchestral, vocal, and theatre performances or a student gallery opening and jazz concert, Loyola encourages students to hone their skills and talent through experiential learning in addition to the classroom setting. I think Dr. Decuir, Associate Dean of the College of Music and Fine Arts, has put it best when he says, “you want to be a performer, well then get out there and perform.”
Our students put on fully realized concerts, performances, and gallery exhibitions, in addition to more casual workshops, jam sessions, and readings. There is always something exciting and engaging happening through our College of Music and Fine Arts. New Orleans is a music city, a theatre city, and an art city. We celebrate these cultural traditions both on campus, around town, and throughout the world.
It is vital for you to come to campus and meet our faculty and students. Sit in on a class, view a performance, take in student artwork, and really see how you fit in to the Wolfpack. Auditions, interviews, and portfolio reviews are required for all of our College of Music and Fine Arts programs, so I would encourage you to visit on Saturday, December 4, 2010; Saturday, January 15, 2011; or Saturday, February 19, 2011to participate and see what we are all about. For more information and to sign up, visit http://www.cmfa.loyno.edu/auditions I promise you won’t be disappointed.
When making the decision about where to go to school, the more information you have access to, the better. I encourage you to visit the College of Music and Fine Arts’ website at www.cmfa.loyno.edu. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance with questions about the College of Music and Fine Arts and our various programs, just call 504.865.3240 or 1.800.4.LOYOLA or email me at halperin@loyno.edu.
I look forward to seeing you at an audition day!
