OSU Music department grads admitted to Juilliard

Friday, July 28, 2006

Jeff Missal and Robert Gorbet, 2006 graduates of OSU's music department, were recently admitted on scholarship to the prestigious Julliard School of Music to study bass trombone and trumpet respectively.

by Alex Denkinska

Two Oklahoma State University students have been admitted to the Juilliard School of Music.

Jeffrey Missal and Robert Gorbet, 2006 graduates from OSU’s Music department, successfully auditioned for Juilliard’s master’s degree program, the nation’s most selective and prestigious for musicians. Missal plays trumpet, and Gorbet plays bass trombone. Both are preparing to leave soon for New York City.

The two students exhaustively rehearsed and perfected challenging music pieces for the audition. Gorbet, who played four to six hours a day most of his senior year, spent countless hours with assistant professor Paul Compton preparing for the Julliard tryout.

“It’s a combination of playing because you love it and practicing to get better,” Gorbet said.

OSU’s Music department has a 100-year heritage preparing students for jobs in music education and for entering top graduate programs and the music business. Faculty apply their knowledge from experiences at the world’s top music schools through one-on-one teaching and try to establish personal connections with students.

According to Gorbet, the department is approaching its goal of becoming the state’s leader in music.

“They’ve got some dynamic professors who are bringing a lot of good talent,” he said.

Professor Andrew Cheetham, who helped Missal prepare for his Juilliard tryout, attributed the growing success of the music department to its students.

“Jeff is a conscientious student who is always trying to better himself as a musician,” Cheetham said. “He has the willpower and the discipline to practice his instrument effectively and efficiently- the result can be heard in his playing.”

“The work-ethic many of our students possess is admirable,” Cheetham said. “They know that they will only get out of OSU what they put into it, and most do their best during the time that they are here to become the best musicians and teachers they can be.”

Juilliard ranks as the country’s top school for the performing arts. Founded in 1905, it was established as a music academy in America to rival the European conservatories. Juilliard is highly competitive, and some of the best musicians in the world are graduates. Missal and Gorbet will have the opportunity to work with world famous professors.

Gorbet said he is terrified and excited to begin his studies at Juilliard in New York City and finally start working as a professional musician.

“My biggest fear is that I might miss home for the first time in my life.”