Nick's going to grad school!
Donation protected
Hello everybody! I want to begin by sharing with you my story.
There was a week left before graduation in 2011 and as I found myself studying late into the night for my last bio final, I became overwhelmed by a profound sadness. The night before I had just sung in my final concert with the University Chorus and with the UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, performing the beautiful Brahms Alto Rhapsody and got to experience the raw power and grace of Mahler's Third Symphony. I remember clearly the words Mahler set to music that transformed the pain and sorrow of mankind into elation with a warm, heavenly embrace of the divine. And I remember singing the words of the Brahms as though it were yesterday:
"If there is on your psaltery,
Father of love, one note
his ear can hear,
then refresh his heart!
Open his clouded gaze
to the thousand springs
next to him who thirsts
in the wilderness!"
My life changed at that moment. The final movement of the Mahler, entitled "What love tells me," was a calling that I needed to fulfill. Graduating in the coming week meant going down a path not centered around music. I would no longer be able to sing all the time. I would not be able to delve into the mysteries of melody, harmony, and color. I would not be able to pursue the understanding of expression and artistry that reflects the human soul. As I sat in the library, devastated, I decided to take action. I dropped my name from the degree list and decided to prolong my graduation from UC Berkeley to fulfill the requirements for a degree in music.
Five years have gone by since that moment and not a day has gone by without me thanking God for the opportunity to go down the path of music. I've been so blessed for the lessons and the opportunities I've been given here. None of this would have been possible without the graciousness and dedication of my teachers. With the drive and artistry of Professor David Milnes, the inspiration of Professor Marika Kuzma, the guidance of Maestro Vance George, and the love and support of the music department teachers, colleagues and fellow musicians, I am incredibly happy to announce that I've been accepted into the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University in pursuit of a Master's Degree in Orchestral Conducting!
I am reaching out to my family and friends to ask for your support. My current situation is such that I will need to take out as many loans as possible to continue this dream. With my parents serving God's church and my sister and her husband taking care of the two most beautiful girls I am proud to call nieces, to fulfill the financial responsibilities to make this education possible is up to me. While the school has offered a financial award, it is but a fraction of the full tuition costs, not to mention health insurance, housing and living expenses. There is no amount goal. The smallest amount donated will make the biggest difference and will mean the world to me.
I wholeheartedly believe that music is the key to understanding the human soul. Through conducting, I want to understand how human souls connect and I want to share that with all of you.
I wish to once again thank you for your consideration. This summer before I leave for Chicago, I hope to hold a benefit concert--time and location to be determined--to show my gratitude and my dedication to this art and how much I've learned so far. There's still so much more to learn so I pray I can continue on at Northwestern!
Sincerely,
Nicholas Koo
There was a week left before graduation in 2011 and as I found myself studying late into the night for my last bio final, I became overwhelmed by a profound sadness. The night before I had just sung in my final concert with the University Chorus and with the UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, performing the beautiful Brahms Alto Rhapsody and got to experience the raw power and grace of Mahler's Third Symphony. I remember clearly the words Mahler set to music that transformed the pain and sorrow of mankind into elation with a warm, heavenly embrace of the divine. And I remember singing the words of the Brahms as though it were yesterday:
"If there is on your psaltery,
Father of love, one note
his ear can hear,
then refresh his heart!
Open his clouded gaze
to the thousand springs
next to him who thirsts
in the wilderness!"
My life changed at that moment. The final movement of the Mahler, entitled "What love tells me," was a calling that I needed to fulfill. Graduating in the coming week meant going down a path not centered around music. I would no longer be able to sing all the time. I would not be able to delve into the mysteries of melody, harmony, and color. I would not be able to pursue the understanding of expression and artistry that reflects the human soul. As I sat in the library, devastated, I decided to take action. I dropped my name from the degree list and decided to prolong my graduation from UC Berkeley to fulfill the requirements for a degree in music.
Five years have gone by since that moment and not a day has gone by without me thanking God for the opportunity to go down the path of music. I've been so blessed for the lessons and the opportunities I've been given here. None of this would have been possible without the graciousness and dedication of my teachers. With the drive and artistry of Professor David Milnes, the inspiration of Professor Marika Kuzma, the guidance of Maestro Vance George, and the love and support of the music department teachers, colleagues and fellow musicians, I am incredibly happy to announce that I've been accepted into the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University in pursuit of a Master's Degree in Orchestral Conducting!
I am reaching out to my family and friends to ask for your support. My current situation is such that I will need to take out as many loans as possible to continue this dream. With my parents serving God's church and my sister and her husband taking care of the two most beautiful girls I am proud to call nieces, to fulfill the financial responsibilities to make this education possible is up to me. While the school has offered a financial award, it is but a fraction of the full tuition costs, not to mention health insurance, housing and living expenses. There is no amount goal. The smallest amount donated will make the biggest difference and will mean the world to me.
I wholeheartedly believe that music is the key to understanding the human soul. Through conducting, I want to understand how human souls connect and I want to share that with all of you.
I wish to once again thank you for your consideration. This summer before I leave for Chicago, I hope to hold a benefit concert--time and location to be determined--to show my gratitude and my dedication to this art and how much I've learned so far. There's still so much more to learn so I pray I can continue on at Northwestern!
Sincerely,
Nicholas Koo
Organizer
Nicholas Koo
Organizer
Berkeley, CA