Joe Finstrom
Hometown: Wyoming, MN
>> http://joereallauggie.blogspot.com/ <<
Major and minor: Music with a Music Business concentration, and a minor in Art.
Why I chose Augsburg: Four years ago I was a high school student looking for a college that could teach me everything I wanted to know about music. I visited several schools and ended up choosing Augsburg because of conversations I had with faculty, its location, the resources available to students, and many other things. However, moving forward in my time at Augsburg the question of why I chose to go to school there became unimportant. Even after my first few weeks of classes a new question had surfaced: what was I going to do with my time now that I was there? Facing that question has been the main focus of my education in recent times, but even it has started to lose its relevance. Today I have started to ask myself: What am I going to do when I leave Augsburg? What is my education going to do for me? What have has my time in school been about? What am I about?? Getting a college education is a significant thing. It means something different to everyone you talk to. Do you want to know how I have decided to answer these questions? Do you want to know their real significance in my life? If so, then read my blog.
Fast facts: Most days I am trying to find new and real ways to interface with the world that I live in. Developing relationships with others, connecting with the environment, and learning about myself--these are the things that I try to keep at the center of my life. These are the things that push me forward. I don't know exactly what lies ahead, and honestly that's OK.
Favorite places to be: I have spent enough time away from the Minneapolis to know that some part of me will always belong here. There is something about this city and its people that captures my imagination. To put it simply, it is my home. This means a great deal to me.
What I do at Augsburg and beyond: 1) The Augsburg Symphony Orchestra which includes playing cello, hanging out with some very interesting people, and having an occasional cigarette with Doug Diamond while on break. 2) Chamber music (currently a string quartet). 3) The honors program. Sometimes I show up to meetings. Often I show up late with just enough time to eat what food is left. Seriously, though, I do try to be involved. 4) Studio art. I recently decided to pick up an art minor. I especially enjoy sculpture and painting. 6) Composition. I have studied with Carol Barnett for the last two years. A concert of my work was put on last spring at Augsburg which centered around folk music and reflections of what it means to be "home." 7) My band (The Second-Hand Opera). I play bass guitar and do some back-up yelling as well. We are currently working on recording two albums which should be available for release by the end of the fall (fingers crossed). We also play shows and tour. Our home venue is the Acadia Cafe and our last tour went all the way out to the east coast. Highlight stops include Chicago, New York, Philly, and Boston. 8) Beer brewing. I have been brewing for almost a year now. The results have been surprisingly wonderful. I recommend it to anyone who likes beer.
Where I've been: During the summer of 2008 I lived in London where I participated in a lovely internship in the exciting world of Jazz marketing and promotion. After my internship I traveled Europe with my girlfriend, Caryn, who was doing research in France at the same time. The two of us went Holland (where she has family), Ireland (where she also has family), Germany, and France. Good times were had by all.
