I know I’m trying to fill you all in, as well as I can, on what we missed in 2018/2019/parts of 2020, when I wasn’t blogging. Since we’ve just done a whole little series on BMI stuff, I thought I’d give you the update – that being in BMI Advanced is a dream.
I really do love it at a lot.
Everyone is so kind and supportive.
And it’s kinda funny, because at the beginning of my time in BMI Advanced, I was slightly worried about the first handful of songs I brought in, like “oh, I have to bring my A game all the time! They have to know this was the right choice. What if somehow I’m the first person asked to leave because I’m not talented enough – even though I went through the incredibly rigorous process to make it here?”
And now I bring it what I actually need help with. You can bring in songs you’re actually struggling with, and they will give you notes to make them better!
People trust you’re good!
I feel fully accepted, and really part of the group. And it’s just nice to have a place that can be home when you allow it to be.
6 years of applying. 2 years of false start/deferral. 2 years of the program before the cut. One full decade from start to finish.
[I started applying when I was still in undergrad, with the idea that if I got in, I’d go to NYC every Monday from Boston and make it work, because if I was lucky enough to go to BMI, I didn’t want to defer it for a second, which is ironic since I did defer, but for unexpected reasons.]
Anyway. It was worth it. All 10 years. The cross country move(s). The hard songs. The easy songs. The partners I couldn’t figure out how to get on the same pages with. The ones I got along with swimmingly. Every single piece of it was worth it. And I’m just happy to be here!
(And Ben, my writing partner from year 2 is still my friend to this day, and started working on Broadway! I’m so amazed by/happy for him!)