“A Day in the Life of …” is a new series on Clarinet Chronicles to show a typical day in the life of clarinetists in different sectors of the clarinet industry. If you would like to be featured, please contact us on social media.
Brianna Owens is a junior at Middle Tennessee State University and is majoring in Music Industry.
If I’m having a usual musical day, it’s pretty varied because I’m a Music Industry Major!
8 am: Either practice before my 9am class, or go to my 8am Music History class, depending on the day of the week
9-11 am: Musical Form and Analysis, Music Industry Professional class (or practice/lunch)
11 am – 12:30 pm: Clarinet Studio Masterclass
1-2 pm: Either Women’s Chorale or Digital Audio Technology class
2-4 pm: Band!
4-5 pm: I teach a lesson on Thursdays after Band.
5-9 pm: I work at Music & Arts a few days of the week!
9-11 pm: Homework/Reading
Balancing everything is quite difficult as a music student. I find that if I just push myself to get started early, and have little goals to accomplish all day, I can have huge momentum into working efficiently. I have learned some tricks to practicing efficiently, which helps on the weeks that my academic work has to come first, because I’ll still be prepared for my lesson! Most people believe that you can’t have a life when you’re a full time music student and have a job, but it’s not impossible. It’s definitely difficult to balance, but it does help if you make sure you eat well, have a small hobby to help you decompress, and talk to your friends/support system when the balance does get difficult!
Very focused young woman!