THE PENGUINN E C ’ S S T U D E N T - R U N N E W S P A P E R

JOIN THE SAC’S ORIENTATION ACTIVITES.

MEET NEC’S NEWEST MEMBER OF STAFF, JOY SHI! ARE YOU A

WORKAHOLIC?

GET TO KNOW YOUR ORIENTATION PALS!

GREAT IDEAS FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF BOSTON.

WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM

ISSUE 61 AUGUST 25, 2014

PGs. 2 & 4 PG. 12

PG. 4

PG. 6

PG. 8

Welcome (Back) To A New Year At New England Conservatory!The Penguin is SO excited for the new school year, and we hope you are too! We have so many great things coming up throughout the year, and a couple of pretty great things already in the orientation issue right now in your hands. If you’re new to NEC: WELCOME! We hope you enjoy your time here as much as we have. If you’re curious about The Penguin, join our current writers at our first Penguin Party on Wednesday, September 10th at 7pm. Enjoy some free pizza, meet new people, and help us brainstorm ideas for future issues! In this issue, we have some great advice from Sophie and Frankie

on how to make the most of your time in Boston, Casey’s humorous take on overwork, a profile of the brand new (and extremely cool) member of staff Joy Shi, an opportunity to familiarize yourself with some of your orienta-tion pals, a look at some great local destinations around NEC, and some reminders for a few really fun activities organized by the Student Activities Center. We can’t wait to see you soon, and make sure to find us online at facebook.com/thepenguinnewspaper, Instagram at /ThePenguinNEC, and Twitter @ThePenguinNEC!

2 AUGUST 25, 2014

YES, THIS PIZZA COULD BE YOURS ...... IF YOU COME TO

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 | 7 P.M. | KELLER ROOM(located next to the Beethoven statue in Jordan)

NO COMMITMENT + ALL THE PIZZA YOU COULD EVER CARE TO EAT, FREE.

THE PENGUIN PARTY!

At this point, you’ve hopefully made it through the endless week of testing, placement auditions, and non-stop introduc-tions. In addition to forgetting names, you’re probably a little nervous about adjusting to a conservatory environment, a new city, and dorm life. The good news is: you’re not alone! After moving eight times in my life, I’ve become a veteran of the unfamiliar. Being a person that craves structure in my life, mov-ing every few years was no easy task. However, I’ve learned

that change should not be feared, but rather embraced with open arms. Throwing yourself into new situations and taking that leap out of your comfort zone stretches you as a person, proving to be both a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Although finding free time can be difficult, I highly recommend taking time between rehearsals and class to explore your new home. To help you get started, I thought I would suggest a few ways to get better acquainted with one of America’s greatest cities.

penguin CULTUREby SOPHIA ADICKESThird-year BM VoiceOvercoming Overwhelming

SOPHIA ADICKES ASSURES US IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR

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Familiarizing yourself with the area is one of the best ways to feel more at home. The Fens and Boston Common are both great places to people watch and see nature progress through the seasons. If you have a few hours to spare, get lost wandering down the streets, savoring the architecture and history that is Boston.

Walk

In addition to the weekly concerts at Jordan, make sure to take advantage of all the other musical opportunities Boston has to offer. Boston is home to hundreds of music venues, and as an NEC student you can see some of the world’s greatest musicians for free at the BSO.

Listen

After checking out all of the great NEC organizations, try to make connec-tions outside of the school. A life separate from NEC will help you feel more established within the city. So consider different groups around Boston, join a gym, get a job, volunteer, or find a new hobby. Now is the time to explore new interests as you adjust to your new life.

Join

Symptoms are mild at first; typically mental exhaustion and physical fatigue are the first to arise. Some may develop an addiction to coffee, eventually leading to an intense phobia of sleeping and other forms of rest. The addict may expe-rience feelings of anxiety. They may seem detached and distracted. They only have work on their mind. At this stage, the word obsession falls short: the afflicted may permanently withdraw from society, ceasing contact with friends and fam-ily, skipping class, colleagues recit-als, and even birthday parties just to get one more rep of that sweet, sweet Mahler. The problem is, that last rep was even worst than the last and you may feel worse off than when you started. Sound familiar? Then it’s more than likely you’re a worka-holic, and you’re one of millions to have developed an addiction to their work. And it’s no wonder: In a fast paced world where over-worked is the baseline and the words “neurotically obsessed” are often pronounced “responsible” Boston is a workaholic incubator. There are a whopping sixty sec-ondary educational institutions in the greater Boston area, drawing a swarm of some of the bright-est young minds on the planet. Boston’s most recent set of demo-graphics reveals that an incredible 35% of Boston’s population is between the ages of 20 and 34. That’s nearly 250,000 humans! Now, realize that all these students will be made to compete over a relative hand-ful of paying jobs. The only way to succeed is to be dedicat-ed to producing good quality work. And that’s where it starts. “Work hard, and you’ll succeed,” is something that’s been a part of our lives since the beginning of time. The hunter who wants to feed his family spends days hungry, tracking prey for miles until they

make their decisive kill. The farmer knows that the greater the profit he wants to turn, the more land he’ll have to till. Similarly, we musicians must spend many hours in a practice room to produce just one beautiful, fleeting performance, let alone be paid to do it. Sadly, while producing good work is hard, hard work doesn’t always produce good results. In the case of the workaholic, the relationship can be cruelly inversed; work

for work’s sake is unproductive and discouraging at best. The workaholic is the hunter so hun-gry that he overlooks the signs and tracks around him, losing the trail of his prey. He is the farmer so eager that he sows more than he can reap, result-ing in the death of his crops. The workaholic is the musician whose ambition fuels them to practice three times as long as they ever should, resulting in a burnt-out, forgettable perfor-mance. So how do you ride the fine line between laziness and workaholism all the way to successtown? It’s actually quite easy (in theory) if you govern yourself by two simple principles. First of all: quality over quantity 100% of the time (even if quantity is your goal, make sure its quality quantity).

Second: all work and no play makes jack a dull boy (and a crappy musician.) That is, devote yourself fully to your work when you’re in your workspace, but be sure to balance it out with an equal amount of fun. Take a deep breath and relax. Watch some Doctor Who! (Editor’s note: the author wrote the previous sentence completely of their own volition. Promise!) And if you’ve forgotten how to relax, check out Frankie Yu’s article, “Things To Do In Boston,” for some great ideas!

WorkaholismA SOCIAL SYNDROME

by CASEY JONESSecond-Year MM Trombone

4 AUGUST 25, 2014

Boston isn’t just a great city, it is an inspiring city. It is beauti-ful, old, and rich with history and culture with an abundance of sites to see. And yes, we should all take the opportunity of living here and see the typical Boston things– they are famous for a reason right? Aside from these, there are also many sim-ple pleasures right in our own neighborhood that won’t take too much time out of your practice schedule and will get you outside ... into the sunlight (that I know some of us so greatly need)! I want to focus on and share with you a few of the things that I have explored and done throughout the different seasons of my past year in Boston; a plus considering how close they all are to school. Yay for the outdoors! While it is still summer outside, venture over to the Charles river and walk along the water. Stare at the people walking on a tightrope, find yourself a spot on a pier and lay in the sun and read a book. Or rent a kayak and paddle along the river for a little bit. Alternatively, biking is a fan-tastic way to get around the city. If you don’t own your own bike, you can rent a Hubway bike (located on Mass Ave. out-side the Christian Science Plaza) and ride along the Charles river. It’s a great way to see the water and different parts of Boston. Bonus: If you do this in the fall you will be able to wit-ness the famous changing colour of the leaves that everyone talks about– a site that cannot be matched with a photo. When the icy cold winter comes (and believe me, it’s coming ... and it’s cold), I know it can be tempting to stay

indoors all day and night in the safety of our heated rooms, but embrace the cold! Go ice skating! The Boston Common Frog Pond turns into an ice skating rink from mid November until March. Take the green line T to the Park Street stop and emerge right out into the Boston Commons. Renting ice skates is easy and levels range from beginner to advanced. Never ice skated? Never fear! I brought an NEC friend there who had never done it before, and he was skating around in no time! Finally, after winter has stayed long past its welcome and just when you start to lose hope that it will never leave, spring will arrive! My favorite thing during the spring was to buy a cheap loaf of bread and head over to Back Bay Fens (the park behind the MFA) just off of Huntington Ave. and feed the geese and the ducks. It’s amazing how many birds (and the occasional squirrel) come flocking your way and how fast that loaf goes. Alternatively, go back to the Charles river (it really is great all year round) and take advantage of the weather before the humidity and heat get to the point of being annoying. All year round bonus tip: Trident Booksellers & Cafe on Newbury St. holds a trivia night every Friday at 8:30pm on their second floor. The questions are original (and also very hard) and the host, Max, is super cool. Super bonus: on a tight budget? Just order a drink, and they bring you a free (refillable!) bowl of chips! So go forth! Assimilate!

Things To Do In BostonA GUIDE TO USING YOUR TIME OFF WELL

by FRANKIE YUSecond-year MM Trombone

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Students aren’t the only “new” people to turn up bright-eyed to our wonderful school this August. We also have a new member of staff! Joy Shi is the new coordinator of interna-tional student services and academic advisor, housed in the St. Botolph building, and just like our new students she is taking in the experience of NEC brand new for the school year. Joy Shi loves coffee. And that’s a good thing, because there is a wealth of great coffee places in and around our little corner of Boston. The Penguin may have accidentally slightly helped this coffee obsession along as Joy discovered one of our past issues listing some great places to try, and knowing she can’t say “no” to a coffee date Joy is determined to find them all! But enough about coffee. Let’s talk NEC! I heard Joy was joining our wonderful staff early August, and despite not being able to meet in person we “met” over email and continued our conversation there. Even over email it’s hard to belie the exuberance that Joy has for her work and life. A good quality for an international student advisor, Joy seems to enjoy traveling; “Personally, I grew up in China, moved to Venezuela, then moved to the US to finish my high school, and went to college at University of Michigan.

During my undergraduate studies, I also studied abroad in Spain and Japan.” Joy writes. I muse that many international students at NEC, and even US students who’ve come from across the coun-try, could relate to studying in a new and different place. What was that experience like for Joy, though? “I loved it … Obviously, studying in Spain and Japan were very different.

I enjoyed both. During both programs, I met different people, and improved my un-derstanding of the languages and cultures that I was study-ing a lot more. I only wish I had more time to fully live in and study a new country. That’s part of the reason why every year, I try to visit a new country if I can.” That sounds like a great way to live. I ask Joy if, having traveled so widely, she has a favorite destination. Her answer is as pragmatic as ever and hints at Joy’s openness and love of trying new things. “I know this can sound very cheesy, but ... the next destination to any

new place I have never been may turn out to be my favorite destination. It would be even better if I could live there for an extensive amount of time,” Joy explains, addaing that to truly experience the culture she prefers to “visit smaller cities that are not as touristy.” What does Joy love to do in her current home of

BY ANDREW NISSEN

Joy Shipenguin SPOTLIGHT

6 AUGUST 25, 2014

TOLD YOU SHE LOVES COFFEE!

Boston, then? “I love trying different restaurants and attend-ing cultural events around Boston. I’m now excited and hope to attend as many students’ concerts as possible at NEC too.” While not a musician herself, Joy says she loves learning and trying new things, and “I think every type of music has its own unique characteristics … I love them all.” Sometimes music students can become a bit shel-tered. Perhaps, not being a music student I wonder if Joy had any advice on avoiding becoming entrenched in our own little world. “Always be willing to try something new, get out of your comfort zone, but also know your limits and boundaries. That way, we know when to stop and say ‘no’, and slowly broaden your comfort zones at your own pace.” This eventually brings me around to the subject of work. How does one become an international student services advisor? Well, if you have a passion for traveling and learning new things like Joy does it must be an easy decision! “As you can see from my background I grew up in different cultures, learned different languages, I have been an international student myself, and I love meeting interna-tional students from all over the world. After I graduated

from college, I knew I wanted to stay on a college campus and continue being with international students. In addition, during my time as an international student I received much help from peers and teachers, and even strangers! I hope to ‘pass along the blessing’ that I’ve received, and hopefully be able to assist those who might need just a little help moving forward.” It’s at this time that I start to get really excited about working with Joy at NEC. Whether you encounter her as an advisor or just in the hallways, it’s clear that her impact will be positively felt throughout the school. I ask if she’s look-ing forward to anything in particular this year at NEC. “So many things, where do I start!” Joy writes back exuberantly. “One thing that I really look forward to is meeting and get-ting to know all of the students that I will be advising. I also look forward to learning more about the NEC community in general.” I think the feeling will be mutual. So, if you pass Joy in the hallway, or indeed ANY of our wonderful staff who do so much behind the scenes at NEC, say hi, remember they may not be able to turn down a coffee date, and “pass along the blessing” of goodwill. Welcome to Joy, and have a great school year!

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JOY AT THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA.

JOY ON VACATION IN BALTIMORE.

GET TO KNOW YOUR ORIENTATION PALS!(a few of)

^

MASON GRAINGER, TRUMPETWhat’s your favorite food joint near NEC?

My favorite food joint is Lucy’s Ethiopian Café, because they have an abundance of exotic and yummy vegan options.

What do you do for fun in Boston?

For fun I dodge cars on my bicycle on Mass Ave! (Don’t try at home!)

Favorite place to practice?

Jordan Hall before the security guards kick you out.

JONATHAN GENTRY, OBOEBest NEC survival tip?

Get out of campus and take advantage of what Boston has to offer. It can be easy to stay within a few blocks around NEC and feel trapped in your practice room (especially during the winter months). Go be-yond your comfort zone and explore someplace new!

What’s your favorite food joint near NEC?

Trident Booksellers and Café. It’s about a 15-minute walk from NEC, but well worth it. Try the lemon ricotta stuffed French toast!

DAVID ADEWUMI, JAZZ TRUMPETWhat do you love about NEC?

I love that the people here are so warm and encouraging. It’s nice to see that people can be so nice and cool even though they are extreme-ley talented!

What advice do you have for new students that you wish you’d known?

Long practice sessions do not always equal good practice sessions. It’s better to have an hour of foused practice than six hours of unfocused practice.

8 AUGUST 25, 2014

Quick tip! You can reach any NEC student using the format firstname.lastname@necmusic.edu. If you have any questions about NEC or Boston, feel free to contact one of your orientation pals!

MARK TSE, CONDUCTINGBest NEC survival tip?

Make as many friends as you can, especially if you’re an international student. It can feel very isolating but the truth is everyone else is also shy and feeling lonely. They’re waiting for you to make the first move.

What do you do for fun in Boston?

My main activities are getting together for drinks or movies, but I also take tango classes and play badminton at Boston University. I would highly recommend going to check out some theatre at American Rep-ertory Theatre in Cambridge.

ANDREW PORT, OBOEWhat do you love about NEC?

The level of musicianship amongst your peers at NEC is really astound-ing, regardless of what major you are. You won’t ever be disappoint-ed with a concert at NEC; the variety of music and the talent in each studio is simply tremendous.

What advice do you have for new students that you wish you’d known?

Don’t miss a single concert. I guarantee you’ll like something in each one.

KAREN NOTOVITZ, VOICEWhat advice do you have for new students that you wish you’d known?

Don’t be too hard on yourselves. If you don’t get something right imme-diately, don’t get frustrated with yourselves. Progress takes time and everyone struggles at some point but, everyone here has incredible talent.

What’s your favorite food joint near NEC?

My favorite food joint near NEC would be Pho Basil. There are many Thai restaurants in the area and I really love this one.

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FREEDOM TRAIL

This 2.5 mile brick path connects many of Boston’s historical monuments. Start at the Bunker Hill Monument (accessible via the Com-munity College stop on the Orange Line) and end at the beautiful Boston Common.

OAKLEAF CAKES

12 WESTLAND AVE

For those sweet cravings, visit this relatively new cake shop just around the corner from Symphony Hall. As well as a delectable selec-tion of pastries, Oakleaf make cakes to order for those special occasions.

NEWBURY ST.

All your shopping needs and desires are fulfilled whilst wandering along this famous street. Newbury St. is also a hotspot for great restaurants, and a popular weekend brunch location.

WHOLE FOODS

15 WESTLAND AVE

Five minutes walk from school, Whole Foods not only provides quality pro-duce but a diverse selection of pre-made lunch items from their fresh food bar.

PAVEMENT COFFEE

44 GAINSBOROUGH ST

An NEC favorite, Pavement is located just across Hun-tington. Perfect for a quick coffee run, or even better to sit down in their comfy arm-chairs and people watch.

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

700 BOYLSTON ST

Located across from the amazing Copley Square, the Central BPL boasts two large building’s worth of materials. Guaranteed to spend hours lost in the aisles searching for the perfect book!

penguin LOCALWe’ve included our pick of some of the best local things around NEC. It may be food, culture, or sightseeing, but it’s

all our favorite! Enjoy discovering these new things and many more like them.

10 AUGUST 25, 2014

THE HAVEN

2 PERKINS ST

Another Jamaica Plain staple, The Haven features a large selection of Scottish foods and drinks. With a great homey atmosphere, there’s no better way to dive in and try out your first haggis!

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

465 HUNTINGTON AVE

One of Boston’s absolute gems! Located a short walk (or one T stop) along Hun-tington, all NEC students receive free MFA admission simply by showing a current student ID.

CITY FEED & SUPPLY

672 CENTER ST

If you live in Jamaica Plain, this place will surely be a favorite within no time. City Feed boasts an eclectic selection of groceries, but more importantly it makes some of the best sandwiches around.

BACK BAY FENS

(BEHIND THE MFA)

A great place to take a break and reconnect with nature. Feed the geese. Walk along the paths. Pe-ruse the Kelleher Rose Public Garden.

SYMPHONY HALL

301 MASSACHUSETTS AVE

The home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall also hosts a range of different perform-ers throughout the year. Keep an eye out for the Celebrity Series!

SYMPHONY SUSHI

45 GAINSBOROUGH ST

If you like sushi, make sure to turn up to this popular destination early as there’s a good reason for the high demand! All lunch specials are under $10.

PRUDENTIAL CENTER

800 BOYLSTON ST

“The Pru”, as it’s called by locals is an office build-ing that houses a small shopping mall in the lower levels. Includes Barnes & Noble, Microsoft store, and a diverse food court.

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12 AUGUST 25, 2014

GRAD-STUDENT

PUB CRAWL

Sponsored by Student Activities,

explore some of Boston’s best nightlife!

Must be 21 years or older with a valid

governmentissued photo ID.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 55:30 P.M.

JORDAN HALL STEPS

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SUNSET HARBOR CRUISE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 | 5:30 P.M.JORDAN HALL STEPS

Join the Student Activities Center and watch the sun setover the city as you cruise Boston and dance the night away under the stars!.

SCAVENGERHUNT

Get to know

Boston by

participating

in this fun,

city-wide

activity.

Each

member of

the winning

team

receives a

$25 gift

card.

JORDAN HALL STEPSFRIDAY, AUGUST 29 | 5:30 P.M.

THE PENGUIN

NEEDS YOU!at aGLANCE

III

II

EXPAND Your TooLkiT Our courses help you build entrepreneurial skills and

JuMPSTArT Your ProJECT Have an idea? Need funding and guidance to

VENTurE ouT Challenge yourself to step outside NEC’s 4-block radius. Take

CoLLECT TiPS froM THE ProS Mentoring is woven into the fabric of EM.

EArN WHiLE You LEArN We can connect you with a range of professional

articulate the impact you want to make as a musician. In addition to our survey course, The Entrepreneurial Musician, we offer intensive electives that cover diverse topics such as marketing, communications, financial planning, and legal issues.

make it happen? Take advantage of the Entrepreneurial Grant program to realize your vision and build vital skills for your career. This program isn’t about funding the “next big thing” - it’s about investing in you.

advantage of an internship or fellowship with one of Boston’s leading arts organizations and learn what happens behind the scenes and in the community. There’s no better way to expand your network and build tools for your own artistic projects.

NEC’s Entrepreneurial Musicianship Department guides you from being the bestmusician you can be to the best working, contributing, successful musician possible.

I SAY HELLo. Our doors are always open and we usually have snacks. Stop by to

We have a creative team of volunteer advisors made up of over 150 performers, composers, arts administrators, NEC faculty and staff, and professionals from other fields. They’re available, ready to answer your questions.

opportunities and one-time gigs through Bridge and the Music Referral Service. We’ve referred everything from wedding receptions to New England luaus. A great way to earn money, build experience, and figure out what’s next.

introduce yourself and let us know how we can help you. Our office is in SB226, where you’ll find Rachel, Maria, Eva and Tim, the four EM staffers. Find us online at necmusic.edu/em or shoot a note to em@necmusic.edu.

fiND uS iN SB226

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THE PENGUINN E C ’ S S T U D E N T - R U N N E W S P A P E R

Ideas for our October “Halloween” issue include:What Scares You? * Stage Fright * Fall Recipes * Haunted House Opera

SUBMIT SOMETHING!If you'd like to contribute an

article, illustration, or idea, email a 1-2 sentence proposal to: thepenguin@necmusic.edu

We’d love to hear from you! Please limit articles to 650 words.

PENGUIN PENMENAndrew Nissen, editorSuzanne Hegland, faculty editorSophia (Sophie) Adickes, writerNatalie Alper-Leroux, creativeIsabella Dawis, writerCasey Jones, writerSyd Donielle Rvinsky, writerNick Tisherman, writer Tong Wang, illustratorFrankie Yu, writer

SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE:

F R I D A Y SEPTEMBER 19TH

WE'RE ONLINE!FACEBOOK:

www.facebook.com/penguinnewspaperINSTAGRAM:

/ThePenguinNECTWITTER:

@ThePenguinNECWEBSITE:

www.NECpenguin.com

THE PENGUIN

NEEDS YOU!

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NEC’s student newspaper can only continue to thrive with your help. ANYONE is welcome to join! Perks of contributing include:

* The opportunity to publish your writing, poetry, photogra-phy, and/or illustrations

* Meeting other people who share your interests

* No commitment! Submit whenever you have time.

* A great addition to your resume

* Warm & fuzzy feelings knowing that you have improved the NEC community

The Penguin publishes eight issues each school year. For more information, come along to our Penguin Party (adver-tised on Page 2 of this issue) to find out more!

penguin PHOTOSThe Penguin has joined Instagram! We’ve uploaded some past photos of our beautiful Boston for you to like and share, and there’ll be many more to love in the coming school year. Follow us on Instagram at /ThePenguinNEC