Colton's McGill University Fund
Donation protected
My name is Colton Hodge,
I study the Viola da Gamba as a Music student at Sheridan College in Wyoming. My road to discovering this instrument has been a long and interesting journey, so I will make a long story short. I apologize in advance if I ramble...
I have always had an affinity for music, but growing up in a small town with a population of 1,300 drastically limited my access to music education and fellow music lovers. As a result, I kept to my room where I spent hours a day practicing guitar. Not having any sort of theoretical musical experience in junior high or high school, I was told by many that I would not be able to pursue a music degree because of my lack of experience and knowledge, mixed with a field of competitive musicians. This notion stuck to my brain mercilessly. I feared failure and rejection, so the idea of pursuing a music degree was out of the question. After high school, I stayed in my home town, working as a cemetery attendant for the town and contemplating my life options. It wasn't until a work accident that got me to realize that I desperately wanted to leave my small town and pursue musical academia no matter what people said. I wanted to prove these people wrong, as well as be the first one in my family to get a college degree! Once at Sheridan College, I took beginner-level music classes and got all my general-eds out of the way. After a year, I decided to officially switch my major to Music. Upon enrolling into the music program, I have met some very amazing students and teachers alike. Along with this, I came across this strange historical instrument I have never heard of that spoke to my soul. The Viola da Gamba sparked an interest in me that I had never experienced since I was 11 years old and first picked up the guitar. Except this time it was different; after learning the basic ropes of the instrument, I discovered that I had a natural feel for it and a passion that superseded my love for the guitar by ten-fold. Thanks to Dr. Mark Elliot Bergman (Professor of Strings at Sheridan), I was provided an instrument and the opportunity to play in an ensemble. Since then, I have gone back to my roots, reclusing in the practice room for hours on end, learning everything I can about this beautiful creation. I have been working extremely hard to catch up with my peers in musical knowledge, and have striven to do my very best (yes, I have a 4.0 GPA!). With the help of Dr. Bergman and the connections he has helped me make, I was recently given the gracious opportunity to go to Florida and study with professional Viol player and wonderful human being: Josh Lee. While in Florida, we spent hours a day preparing me for an audition to a Conservatory where I might continue my studies. His incredible knowledge, mentorship, and amazing support has pushed me to work even harder to achieve my goals.
Whew...that was a long one.
Of course, I couldn't have done any of this without the grace of God, the love and support of my wonderful friends/colleagues, my family, and my amazing and beautiful girlfriend Jessica, of whom I hope to marry someday.
I have started this funding page to help me financially for auditioning and attending at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, where I hope to finish my Undergraduate and pursue my Graduate degrees in Historical Performance/Early Music on the Viola da Gamba. These funds will go towards the cost of application (approx. $200), my passport (approx. $140), and Proof of Funds for International students. Application deadlines are December 1st, 2017 and auditions are sometime in March, 2018.
My end goal is to receive a Doctorate degree in Early Music. Any support would be much appreciated and beyond helpful, as I'm sure we can all relate to some form of financial struggle!
Thank you for taking the time to read my story! I know many people around the world have it much worse than I do; I am quite aware of this, which is why I am extremely grateful every day for the life I have lived!
Thank You!
-Colton.
I study the Viola da Gamba as a Music student at Sheridan College in Wyoming. My road to discovering this instrument has been a long and interesting journey, so I will make a long story short. I apologize in advance if I ramble...
I have always had an affinity for music, but growing up in a small town with a population of 1,300 drastically limited my access to music education and fellow music lovers. As a result, I kept to my room where I spent hours a day practicing guitar. Not having any sort of theoretical musical experience in junior high or high school, I was told by many that I would not be able to pursue a music degree because of my lack of experience and knowledge, mixed with a field of competitive musicians. This notion stuck to my brain mercilessly. I feared failure and rejection, so the idea of pursuing a music degree was out of the question. After high school, I stayed in my home town, working as a cemetery attendant for the town and contemplating my life options. It wasn't until a work accident that got me to realize that I desperately wanted to leave my small town and pursue musical academia no matter what people said. I wanted to prove these people wrong, as well as be the first one in my family to get a college degree! Once at Sheridan College, I took beginner-level music classes and got all my general-eds out of the way. After a year, I decided to officially switch my major to Music. Upon enrolling into the music program, I have met some very amazing students and teachers alike. Along with this, I came across this strange historical instrument I have never heard of that spoke to my soul. The Viola da Gamba sparked an interest in me that I had never experienced since I was 11 years old and first picked up the guitar. Except this time it was different; after learning the basic ropes of the instrument, I discovered that I had a natural feel for it and a passion that superseded my love for the guitar by ten-fold. Thanks to Dr. Mark Elliot Bergman (Professor of Strings at Sheridan), I was provided an instrument and the opportunity to play in an ensemble. Since then, I have gone back to my roots, reclusing in the practice room for hours on end, learning everything I can about this beautiful creation. I have been working extremely hard to catch up with my peers in musical knowledge, and have striven to do my very best (yes, I have a 4.0 GPA!). With the help of Dr. Bergman and the connections he has helped me make, I was recently given the gracious opportunity to go to Florida and study with professional Viol player and wonderful human being: Josh Lee. While in Florida, we spent hours a day preparing me for an audition to a Conservatory where I might continue my studies. His incredible knowledge, mentorship, and amazing support has pushed me to work even harder to achieve my goals.
Whew...that was a long one.
Of course, I couldn't have done any of this without the grace of God, the love and support of my wonderful friends/colleagues, my family, and my amazing and beautiful girlfriend Jessica, of whom I hope to marry someday.
I have started this funding page to help me financially for auditioning and attending at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, where I hope to finish my Undergraduate and pursue my Graduate degrees in Historical Performance/Early Music on the Viola da Gamba. These funds will go towards the cost of application (approx. $200), my passport (approx. $140), and Proof of Funds for International students. Application deadlines are December 1st, 2017 and auditions are sometime in March, 2018.
My end goal is to receive a Doctorate degree in Early Music. Any support would be much appreciated and beyond helpful, as I'm sure we can all relate to some form of financial struggle!
Thank you for taking the time to read my story! I know many people around the world have it much worse than I do; I am quite aware of this, which is why I am extremely grateful every day for the life I have lived!
Thank You!
-Colton.
Organizer
Colton Hodge
Organizer
Rapid City, SD