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Student Spotlight: Megan Tatro'22 (Choral Music Education)
A Rare Opportunity To Perform
This February, Megan Tatro’22 (Choral Music Education) and Dr. Adam Potter (Roberts’ Director of Choral Activities) had the opportunity to attend the American Choral Directors Association conference. Tatro had the privilege of being one of four undergraduate students across the country invited to participate in a conducting masterclass.
Tell us all about your experience at the Conference! What did you do to prepare? What were you thinking or feeling about? How did it go, and did you learn any new lessons through this experience?
The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conference was such a fun and educational experience! It was held in Boston in February. I attended as one of eight students (four graduate, four undergraduate) selected to participate in a masterclass with well-known choral conductors from around the country.
What went into preparing for the Conference?
The application process involved recording a video of myself conducting and rehearsing two pieces, and submitting an analysis and a lesson plan to the ACDA. About a month later, I received an email from the Collegiate R&R Chair of the ACDA Eastern Division that I had been selected as one of four undergraduate student conductors.
From there, I was sent the information about the piece of music, my clinician, and the layout of the class. I spent the next month and a half preparing by analyzing the score, color-coding everything, and extensively practicing the gestural vocabulary.
The day before the class, I had a 30-minute meeting with Dr. Sandra Snow, a renowned Professor of Choral Conducting and Music education at Michigan State University. We discussed the form of the piece and her method of marking important structural changes in the music.
Form is not my strong suit as a conductor, so I was grateful to spend time with her and learn her system of analysis.
How did the masterclass go? How were you feeling?
I wasn’t incredibly nervous until Friday hit. The whole day I was thinking about how many things could go wrong, how awkward I was likely to be on the podium, and how many people would be watching me. Thankfully, once I was on the podium, I felt much more sure and comfortable with what I was doing… way more than I anticipated.
The piece I conducted, “All Shall Be Well” by Sarah Quartel, has so many moments that allow for artistry and phrasing. It was a joy to conduct it with the choir! I had so much fun.
Watch a rendition of the same song Megan conducted, performed and conducted by a different group.
The choir responded well to my gestures and they produced a full and vibrant tone. As we practiced, my stance opened up. The choir’s sound audibly changed as their breath support increased according to what they saw from me. I am so excited to continue working on and developing these specific techniques.
After the masterclass, I felt incredibly relieved and satisfied with the way it went. I am so grateful for the opportunity I was granted, and I am feeling refreshed and ready to continue learning and growing as a conductor!
How has Dr. Potter impacted your experience as a Roberts student?
Dr. Potter has made such an impact on my life, it is hard to find a place to begin. One of the main ways I learn from him is by observing how he interacts with his students, colleagues, and the music he teaches. He is the most supportive educator, the most enthusiastic cheerleader, and the most empathetic human.
I am so grateful to have a mentor who is so invested in my education and in me as a human being. His investment goes beyond the classroom, as he makes time to listen and help guide me in all aspects of my life.
Dr. Potter cares for each of his students truly and deeply. I can say in full confidence that it is one of the most impactful parts of my education.
Why did you choose your major?
At first, choral conducting was not on my radar as a career choice. When I was taking my Choral conducting class with Dr. Potter, I had some of the most fun I have ever had making music as a conductor.
What do you see yourself doing as a career?
My ultimate career goal is to be the Director of Choral Activities at a college or university. After earning my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue a Masters degree in Choral Conducting. Following this degree, I plan to spend some time teaching and gaining experience as an educator and conductor.
Finally, I’d like to pursue my PhD and a conducting position at the collegiate level!
How will your Roberts education help you reach those goals?
My current goals in the conducting field would never have existed without Roberts. I’ve been granted countless opportunities to better my conducting in the classroom, lesson, and ensemble settings.
This semester, I am assistant conducting Roberts’ choral ensembles, taking private lessons, and have applied to multiple graduate programs. Each of those experiences has been offered as a result of the education, skills, and experience I have received at Roberts.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
Be willing to put yourself in positions that make you nervous. Yes, it’s scary to get up on stage and perform. Yes, it’s scary to conduct an ensemble of your peers. Yes, it’s scary to teach a class for a grade, but all of those scary experiences make you better as a musician and as a professional.
Being able to accept the fear for what it is and work through it is incredibly beneficial to performance and teaching experiences.
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