Help Sam Ivory Get to Graduate School Auditions

Hello, my name is Sam Ivory, and I am a current senior at St. Olaf College. This year I began applying for my Master's in Orchestral Conducting.

I began conducting in eighth grade when my band director would elect me as the ‘resident conductor’ whenever he was absent. He continued to encourage me through my high school career giving me more opportunities to conduct rehearsals and compose and arrange music. I realized at this young age that I wanted to pursue the craft of conducting and continued to find opportunities to conduct in college.

As an artist, I’ve always been inspired by experimental methods and the practice of doing. I’ve envisioned participating in a cutting-edge and infinitely adaptable ensemble where the lines between composition and convention are blurred. During my sophomore year, I decided to start an innovative, student-led chamber ensemble. I, and my peer, Grace Alexander, co-founded Synergy Musicians’ Collective. This student-led ensemble is an innovative chamber orchestra that has collaborated with multiple student composers, dancers and visual artists.

In graduate school, I will look for ways that we can integrate the musical arts with other areas of study. I hope to one day lead a professional chamber group with a similar structure, but on a much bigger scale and with more innovative aspects. Bringing people together and utilizing people's strengths is what I enjoy.

The process for applying and auditioning for grad school requires a lot of money that college students just don't have. Applying to 9 schools alone was very expensive. I have already gotten live auditions at 2 of the 9 schools, and as I've been getting past pre-screenings, I am realizing how expensive this process will be. I will need to purchase round-trip flights, rent cars, and stay overnight at hotels. All of the money that goes into this gofundme will go directly into taking care of all of these purchases.

I appreciate any little bit, as I am unable to afford this on my own, and I can't thank you enough for all of your support!! Please email me if you have any questions!