Kids Sing Studio is adding a new feature to the website- GUEST BLOGGERS. There are many professionals in the world of music who have wonderful knowledge and information to share with the young students who attend Kids Sing Studio & beyond. The purpose of Guest Bloggers is to share knowledge with young aspiring musicians. Our first guest blogger Rachel Rambach.
CLICK HERE to read more about Rachel and to visit Rachel's amazing website listenlearnmusic.com!
__________________________________________________________________ 
I got really serious about singing in middle school. I took voice lessons, sang in my church and school choirs, and performed in several musicals each year. My passion for singing only grew throughout high school, and by the time I started thinking about college, I knew I wanted a career in music. I took music theory class during my senior year, and felt like I had a really solid grasp of the material when it came time to start auditioning for college music programs.
One of the theory-related skills required for most of the auditions was the ability to sing scales, and not just the basic major and minor ones. Oh, no. There was an entire list: major, natural minor, melodic minor, and harmonic minor. I was determined to ace my auditions, so I practiced. A lot. I had my songs down cold, so I spent every spare moment going over each and every scale, in every key, over and over again. I sang my scales in the car, in the shower, and around the house so often that they started to haunt my dreams. (Okay, I probably made that last part up, but it wouldn't be too far-fetched!)
Finally, the day came to audition at one of my top choice schools, the University of Illinois. All of my instructors and musician friends had told me what a prestigious music program the U of I had, and just how tough it was to actually get in. So I knew this audition would be tough, but I felt confident. I sang for two professors, both older gentleman who, truth be told, were quite intimidating. I didn't let my nerves get the best of me, though. I rocked my two songs, and then came time for the scales. The easy part, after all that practicing.
"Please sing the harmonic minor scale," one of the professors said. And so I did.
"Could you please try that again?" the other one asked. "That was actually the melodic minor scale."
Now, to really appreciate this next part, you should understand that I am not a confrontational person. Quite the opposite, in fact. Which is why I could hardly believe it when these words came out of my mouth:
"No, that was the harmonic minor scale. With the raised 7th note both ascending and descending."
Then the room went silent, and the two professors looked at each other. The first professor looked back at me.
"You're actually correct, Rachel. Nice job."
Thank goodness that was the end of the audition, because the awkwardness was unbearable. I left the room and found my mom, who had heard everything through the door. She was just as surprised as I was, but thought it was hilarious that I had corrected a seasoned professor at a prestigious university.
I guess there are two morals to this story:
1) Be confident in your knowledge and skills. This will get you far in both music school and life.
2) Even experts aren't right all the time. Your teachers are human, just like the rest of us!
Oh, and in case you're curious...I did end up getting accepted to U of I's music school. But I never did see that professor again, since ultimately I chose to attend a different college. I hope he's brushed up on his minor scales since then!