Sally Said:

Do your parents have a good sense of humor?

We Answered:

Eh...Most of the time, I guess. They're older...*LOL*...

Be careful, Greta...She might test you on YOUR sense of humor...*LOL*...What if she gets you a cake when you graduate that says "FINALLY after 18 years"?...Ha, ha...

Lester Said:

Why do I always get into such a nervous, agitated state whenever I try to be proactive?

We Answered:

Its sounds as if you coud be suffering from some sort of anxiety disorder. Have you talked to your doctor about it?

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx24.h…

No your not being silly. You just need to find a way to relax a little but I dont think drinking is the answer.

Maybe you need to take lessons to learn how to control your breathing or some sort of relaxation exercises or meditation perhaps.

Anthony Said:

Losing Humor/Hobbies once you have a job...?

We Answered:

If you enjoy what you do. You will be yourself. Bring your personality to your job. Just know when to tone it down etc.

Set time aside for other things not just work.

ie . seeing friends etc

Randy Said:

I'm writing a character reference on someone what can I write?

We Answered:

Tell the person, that you don't know what to write, to write it and fax or scan it and send it to you. How lazy can they be The only way to get what they want is to do it, then come over for you to retype and sign right there. So, get on the phone,

Lawrence Said:

What jobs are available for composers?

We Answered:

First of all, I like your screen name - there is a short list of us on this forum who know who or WHAT Fazioli is!

OK - let's see if we can maintain Low Tones with the Parental Units. To bounce off another responder - teaching theory has NOT MUCH to do with composition. I am a theory teacher - I have a second BM and a MM degree in Theory, and I do NOT compose - I am a theorist. Does an architect ever pick up a hammer and Skil saw? Not often.

If you go to *conservatory* website, they are not going to give you a whole lot of possible answers to your question. I have a snooty conservatory education - we joke that I have the *best 18th century education money can buy!* - but if you go to a website of colleges that specialize in commercial and/or popular music - their descriptions are going to give you FAR more *ammunition* to fire at your parent s (OK, that is getting a little weird - sorry . . ) Try Five Towns University on Long Island, NY - or Berklee in Boston. They will list all the possibilities for future application of your composition skills - education,, film, TV, commercials, industrial applications, etc. More impressive for you to show them THAT, than the ranting of some anonymous senior citizen on Yahoo.

Are you already suing Sibelius or Finale? You can get a sweet discount for them both at www.academicsuperstore.com. You will need to provide proof that you are a student - I tell my students to scan their student ID. The, when you write something, you can upload it to the Users Groups at either of these software sites.

You parents want you to be successful and happy. They do not want you living in their basement forever. They would love it if you stood up at the Tonys or Oscars and thanked them. So aim HIGHER than you have stated in your post! Get together a killer audition for the finest music school you can get into. If they say you HAVE to major in Music ed, as a safety - do it. It is an excellent preparatory degree for ANY career in music. I wish you much luck - there are four of us in this family that are full-time professional musicians, teacher, judges, arrangers, etc. - I love my life - and I make a sweet income at it.