Name

Enrique Caboverde III

School

Florida International University

Degree Program

Third year Master of Arts in Classical Guitar Performance

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Arts in Classical Guitar Performance from Florida International University, 2008

Research Interests

Music analysis

Advisor

Rafael Padron

Advisor’s Research Focus

Classical guitar performance

Hobbies

Volunteering at church

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

The major factors that I took into account when choosing a graduate school were family and familiarity. At the time that I was applying to graduate school, I had just been married. My wife was already enrolled in a PhD program at Florida International University, so it made sense to stay here in Miami. In addition, I wanted to continue to study under the advisor who had helped form my view on music during my undergraduate education, which I also completed at Florida International University.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

Preparing for a graduate program in classical guitar performance took practice, practice and more practice. If you disrupt your practice routine, you lose all of the new skills you have learned. I had to be willing to commit to practicing my music nonstop. Some days, I would rehearse for 7 hours straight. On days when I didn’t have that much time, I still had to sit down with my guitar for at least a couple of hours.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

No, Florida International University did not require me to take standardized tests to get into my masters program. My school does require a more strict application process for outside students, but since I had earned my bachelors degree there, I was already known and trusted enough. For that reason, my admissions process was very simple. I was not required to submit more than an application, but students should know that isn’t the norm.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My program usually takes people about 2 years, but it has taken me 3 years to complete. The reason it has taken me longer than average is because I was the first, and for a time the only, student in my masters program. After finishing my bachelors program, I knew that I wanted to continue to study classical guitar performance. I talked to the dean about my interest, and the department created a program for me. Now there are 2 or 3 other guitarists in my program, so it has been very exciting to watch it develop and gain credibility.

Our program consists of several graduate courses in music history and theory. Some of our classes are specifically tailored to our field and aren’t offered many other places, such as the history of stringed instruments. This is a performance degree, so students are also required to perform regularly and practice our music for several hours each day.

Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your thesis?

In a performance program, our major project is not a thesis but a recital, accompanied by extended program notes. That performance will serve as my final exam and our thesis all in 1 package. Those extended notes will take the form of a 30-page document that provides an in-depth historical and musical analysis of the pieces that I choose to perform and of the author who composed them.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My advisor’s role is to guide me through my graduate program. Based on the type of player that I am, he will pass along pieces to me that suit my strengths. In that way, I am able to further develop my skills as a musician and my love for music. In a practical way, he helps me to improve my technique while encouraging me to push myself creatively.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

My masters program differs from undergraduate study in that it is far less rigidly structured. In fact, when I first entered my masters program, I felt like I was jumping into the deep end without a plan. My professors explained the intensity of the work that would be required of me, but they didn’t give me a road map as to how I would get there. They guide me, but they don’t push me, which means I have to teach myself.

Instead of sitting in a classroom like I did as an undergraduate, in grad school I have to find time to read independently and motivate myself to practice. I don’t have someone to make sure I do the work that is required of me. It is assumed that I am in a graduate program to learn and that I will make that learning happen.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your masters program cost?

My masters program costs about $350 per credit, which adds up quickly. In all, my masters degree program in classical guitar performance will cost approximately $25,000.

How are you funding your education?

I am primarily funding my masters education through student loans. I have also worked steadily throughout my graduate years to keep the costs down. That makes for a very busy schedule, but I appreciated the income. If students aren’t able to work during their graduate program, they should look into grants and fellowships to ease the financial burden of higher education.

How difficult do you anticipate it will be to pay off your loans after graduation?

I don’t expect that it will take me very long to pay my student loans off because my wife and I make it a point to live not just within our means, but under them. We are very smart with our money, and we have set ourselves up so that we will be able to pay off our debts relatively quickly.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a masters in classical guitar performance?

Classical guitar performance requires a great deal of time and energy, like all performance studies. The majority of my studies are spent in practice. I have to practice every single day, whether I want to or not, for at least a few hours.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

The main way that graduate school has affected my personal life is that it has made me more responsible. Before graduate school, my time was far less structured. But now I have had to grow up by setting priorities and using my time constructively.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I am not sure exactly where I will be in the next 5 years. I currently teach music at 2 academies in Miami, so I may continue in that direction. But as much as I am captured by music, my true passion is serving God. I think that I will continue to be heavily involved in my church and might take on a positiong there as a musical director. As long as I find a job that fits my calling, I will be fine, even if that job isn’t musical.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters degree in classical guitar performance?

My best advice for someone who wants to pursue a masters degree in any kind of performance is to carefully consider the reality of your future. Music performance will take up a substantial amount of your time and energy, so you should only take this path if you are so passionate about it that you have no interest in doing anything else. And if that is the case, you should follow that passion.