CATHERINE BRANCH, FLUTE
Senior Student

After spending the latter half of my time in high school researching different music schools and taking lessons from their teachers, those few definitive months finally arrived when my parents and I traveled across the country to play auditions for acceptance into the music schools I decided I most wanted to attend.  By the time my audition at Rice came along, I had already played at many other wonderful colleges.  But Rice was different.  As soon as I walked on campus I felt at home and at ease.  Everyone I encountered was amazingly friendly and generous.  My audition was in late February, when at home in Wisconsin everyone was bundled up in hats and mittens, doing their best to stay warm in spite of the blizzards.  Houston, though, felt like spring; flowers were blooming and the grass was bright green.  But this, though a wonderful plus, was not why I chose to become a student at the Shepherd School.  After taking a lesson with Leone Buyse and meeting other faculty during my audition, I realized how very dedicated the Shepherd faculty is to their students. And along with their teaching, the professors all have fantastic performing careers and experience.  They are successful figures in the musical world we will soon be a part of, and they eagerly share all that they learn and have learned with their pupils.  The students themselves are also extremely talented and motivated, and all are here because of their love for music.  Shepherd is a very special place.  The atmosphere here is supportive, and every single person connected to this music program is unique, talented, and loves what they're doing. 
 
Shepherd students have constant opportunities to perform, to learn through
experience.  And as Leone Buyse says, "Listening is the best education you can possibly have."  There is no shortage of listening opportunities here.  Faculty members perform regularly.  Guest artists from all around come to the school often to give master classes and play recitals.  The Houston Symphony, the Ballet, and the Opera are just a quick trip on the Light Rail away.  Just recently, while watching my colleagues play the first half of a concert before I was to go on stage, a woman in the audience approached me.  She said, "My family and I love to come to Shepherd concerts.  This is going to be the symphony of tomorrow!" What she said is true.  The immense amount of opportunities students here have to play and to learn is what will help Shepherd musicians become the admired professionals of our own generation. 

Being here is such an adventure!  I am surrounded by such interesting people, and am inspired by them.  And for the first time, I am on my own in what was originally a very strange place.  But it took no time at all to become a part of the Rice/Shepherd family. Private  lessons are wonderful, and studio classes are eye opening.  The professors here who teach courses like Theory and Aural Skills are excellent.  They know how to communicate their love for what they teach, and it is contagious!   The orchestra program is extraordinary; I remember being so amazed after my first rehearsal that I was brought to tears.   The Shepherd School of Music is a remarkable place.