I’ve been playing the harp for a few years and have been asked to play in gigs and weddings once in a blue moon. I don’t, however, aspire to make a living out of playing Bridal March and Canon in D. What I really wish is to get into a masters program somewhere. Mind you, that might never happen because I’m quite old (old in music-school-applicant terms, not absolute terms). Until I get there I still have to rely on playing gigs and such to support myself. The problem is, I’m not a great sight reader nor am I the best at retaining past learned music. As you all know making mistakes in a contemporary piece is not the same as making a mistake in Bridal March in front of a crowd.

So my question is, how do you keep your popular repertoires in shape while not stripping time away from learning actual harp repertoires that are good for paving the path of a music school? Is that attainable?

Thanks!