Musicians vs the World

Maybe you are a musician interested in becoming a professional conductor. Perhaps you play in an ensemble with an orchestra, and want a better understanding of your music director. Or…Perhaps your only experience with a conductor is watching an old Bugs Bunny cartoon and you’re wondering “what exactly is that person with a baton doing up there on stage?” Maybe most importantly, you just love music...

Join host, Christine Smith, as she speaks with Dr. Jose Daniel Flores-Caraballo, the Opalka Family Artistic Director of Albany Pro Musica. In the first of a two-part interview, Dr. Flores-Caraballo describes his love of choral music and music education. Come celebrate with us as he also announces a wonderful surprise about his upcoming Pro Musica International Choral Festival!

Can athletics make you a better musician? Can music make you a better athlete? Join Christine as she speaks with Physical Therapist, James Wilks, about both questions, as well as diving into injury prevention. As a bonus, find out if Christine's performance preparation is actually healthy, or if she needs to find a new way to practice!

Do you have what it takes to be a professional orchestral musician? In part 3 of our Musicians vs Auditions series, Christine talks with Madelyn and Brian Blanchard, both orchestral Horn players. They share their expertise on choosing a college, auditioning, and navigating through the ups and downs of professional orchestral life.

How does repertoire choice effect the results of an audition? How important are first impressions in a piano competition? Why should repertoire performance order be different in competitions than in recitals? In this episode, Christine finishes her discussion on auditions with Dr. Scott Holden from Brigham Young University. They discuss repertoire, teaching tips, and some final words of advice for...

Auditions! A word that causes anxiety in even the most seasoned performer! In this episode we speak with concert pianist, Dr. Scott Holden, and learn his tips for impressing judges and giving a successful performance in a high-pressure audition.

Welcome to Musicians vs. the World! A podcast discussing the day-to-day life of musicians. We cover topics ranging from performing, education, career development, health, auditions, and everything in between. We'll even talk about music. Join us!