Eric Braley, Music & Science Double DEC

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Music & Science Double DEC – combining a love of music & practicality

Students who enter a Music Double DEC often do so to balance their love of music with something more practical. After all making a living as a musician is not easy. So even for Eric Braley whose parents are both musicians and music teachers, studying Science and Music seemed the best course of action when he came to Vanier. "I chose Vanier because my private clarinet teacher at the time taught there, and I wanted to stay with him."

Music – not an easy love

Eric is very honest about his relationship with music. "It's two-sided. Some days you want to die and some days it's the greatest thing there is! Playing an instrument is like being an athlete – you train like mad for five minutes of glory. But I like performing. It's a terrifying and wonderful experience at the same time."

What about science?

"When I went into the Double DEC I reasoned that I could manage both programs. I knew how many hours of practice music required and I figured I could do both."

A great Math Department

"I've enjoyed science – especially the math courses. The Mathematics Department at Vanier is truly extraordinary! The teachers are great and I've had really good ones."

Touring China with Orchestre symphonique des Jeunes de Montréal

As if a Double DEC was not enough work, Eric is also a member of the Orchestre symphonique des Jeunes de Montréal and went to China with the OSJM on a two-week tour in January 2012. "It was awesome. We flew into Guangzhou, one of the largest cities in China, and performed in a new $100 million concert hall. After that we travelled across the country, performing most days. We gave eight concerts in 12 days and we had a full house almost every night."

I like the Cegep system

When asked what he has enjoyed about Vanier, Eric is very clear. "I like the Cegep system. The class sizes are relatively small and the teachers give a lot of attention to students outside of the classroom. One of my Math teachers helped students work on their comprehensive assessment projects: he gave extra time in tutoring and even tailored subjects to suit students' interests."

Dedicated teachers

"Teachers here implicate themselves. Essays come back with comments that are really helpful. Cegep is a good bridge between high school where you're told what to do and university where there's little interaction with teachers and classes are massive."

An extraordinary Music Department

"And the Music Department at Vanier is extraordinary! It's an active and lively department: it holds concerts throughout the year; sponsors the premieres of works by Canadian composers; hosts special events like MusicFest-Québec and the Quebec Band Association Honour Band; and invites other schools to participate in concerts."

Students get attention

Eric is impressed with how much attention the Music teachers pay to their students. Teachers keep an eye on the amount of time students spend on activities, sometimes suggesting they cut back on accompanying other performers because they may be stretching themselves too thin, something that can easily happen given that students perform in ensembles both inside and outside of the college.

Managing a Double DEC

"Know what you're getting yourself into. During the semester I'm usually playing for two to five concerts, competitions, or events every month. It's a lot of work. I was well prepared coming into the Science Double DEC because my high school, Royal West Academy, has an enriched science program. But I don't have much time. If I dropped the orchestra or the competitions I participate in I'd have more time, but I love music and performing. Despite the effort involved, it's what I want."

No illusions about a career in music

Even though Eric will be studying at the Schulich School of Music at McGill, he has no illusions about the challenge and difficulty of performing as a career. When asked about his long range plan, he answers, "It's not a fun thing to think about. Sometimes I get depressed thinking about all this but my parents tell me to do what I want to do right now and if it doesn't work out, I'll find something else to do."

Vanier – the best choice

"I couldn't have made a better choice than coming to Vanier. It has helped me become a better, more intelligent person. I'm competitive and ambitious, and the opportunities afforded me in the Double DEC at Vanier College have been ideal."

But music is Eric's passion and he's delighted he was accepted for the Orford Academy Orchestra. "I'll spend three weeks in the summer at the Orford Arts Centre in an intensive training program, with coaching from members of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. At least one concert will be conducted by Kent Nagano, the conductor of the MSO."

What a way to end Cegep and prepare for McGill!