Comments on: The Secret Ingredient for Success http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=3703 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:48:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.6 By: Edna Landau http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=3703&cpage=1#comment-180312 Edna Landau Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:18:50 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=3703#comment-180312 My thanks to all of you for your eloquent comments. I am happy to know that this topic resonated with you and that you chose to share your own experiences with our readers. My thanks to all of you for your eloquent comments. I am happy to know that this topic resonated with you and that you chose to share your own experiences with our readers.

]]> By: Joel Cohen http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=3703&cpage=1#comment-179023 Joel Cohen Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:28:54 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=3703#comment-179023 Perhaps this begins to touch on why it is that orchestral auditions have turned into mills that consistently choose a good, bland player. When relating, communication and personality are not only superfluous but actively discouraged and considered negative, they end up a) NOT choosing the best player present, and B) making excuses for how no one interesting comes to the auditions, where they have first actively rooted out all the interesting, engaged players. I've been on both sides of the screen many times, and it's sad to see how good to mediocre players, when called upon to pass judgement on others, suddenly become perfectionists, where no one is good enough for them. Perhaps this begins to touch on why it is that orchestral auditions have turned into mills that consistently choose a good, bland player. When relating, communication and personality are not only superfluous but actively discouraged and considered negative, they end up a) NOT choosing the best player present, and B) making excuses for how no one interesting comes to the auditions, where they have first actively rooted out all the interesting, engaged players. I’ve been on both sides of the screen many times, and it’s sad to see how good to mediocre players, when called upon to pass judgement on others, suddenly become perfectionists, where no one is good enough for them.

]]> By: Cynthia http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=3703&cpage=1#comment-179019 Cynthia Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:30:59 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=3703#comment-179019 Sometimes I think conservatories do everything possible to beat the JOY out of young musicians. It's so good, Edna, to put the spotlight on JOY, because every single one of us musicians pursued music for the love of it. In these difficult times, we're always called upon to justify our existence, or at least our funding. Simone Weil said that "beauty opens channels to the heart" and our world needs it. Keeping those channels open is where the joy lies. Thank you, Edna, for the reminder. Sometimes I think conservatories do everything possible to beat the JOY out of young musicians. It’s so good, Edna, to put the spotlight on JOY, because every single one of us musicians pursued music for the love of it. In these difficult times, we’re always called upon to justify our existence, or at least our funding. Simone Weil said that “beauty opens channels to the heart” and our world needs it. Keeping those channels open is where the joy lies. Thank you, Edna, for the reminder.

]]> By: Leslie Poprik http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=3703&cpage=1#comment-179016 Leslie Poprik Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:00:42 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=3703#comment-179016 Bravo! I absolutely agree. And what a timely observation, as more and more of our young people’s lives are being reduced to accomplishments, activities, and pursuits meant to produce an impressive resume. Music-making is one of the most elemental ways to tap into self-expression, creativity and joy. As the opportunities for creative exploration in everyday life decline, it is our responsibility as music educators to help foster this joy in the next generation. I still sometimes check myself during lessons to see whether I am teaching the concept… or the student. I recently resigned from a corporate position in order to return to full-time teaching, and the same qualities that made me successful in the business realm both help and hinder my creative instruction. While lesson planning is essential, it’s easy to get caught up in our agenda for what the student “should” be accomplishing during any given lesson. As you mentioned, when a piece resonates with something deeper within the student, the true magic can happen. I have found this to be true even with beginners: when concepts are presented in a way that is meaningful (which may be different for each and every student!), music transforms from a set of right and wrong answers into something that delights and motivates. Thank you for the reminder that this holds true in every area of life as well. Children who are encouraged to seek joy often become adults who create a life path that is meaningful to them. Let the music play! Bravo! I absolutely agree. And what a timely observation, as more and more of our young people’s lives are being reduced to accomplishments, activities, and pursuits meant to produce an impressive resume. Music-making is one of the most elemental ways to tap into self-expression, creativity and joy. As the opportunities for creative exploration in everyday life decline, it is our responsibility as music educators to help foster this joy in the next generation.

I still sometimes check myself during lessons to see whether I am teaching the concept… or the student. I recently resigned from a corporate position in order to return to full-time teaching, and the same qualities that made me successful in the business realm both help and hinder my creative instruction. While lesson planning is essential, it’s easy to get caught up in our agenda for what the student “should” be accomplishing during any given lesson. As you mentioned, when a piece resonates with something deeper within the student, the true magic can happen. I have found this to be true even with beginners: when concepts are presented in a way that is meaningful (which may be different for each and every student!), music transforms from a set of right and wrong answers into something that delights and motivates.

Thank you for the reminder that this holds true in every area of life as well. Children who are encouraged to seek joy often become adults who create a life path that is meaningful to them. Let the music play!

]]> By: Jeffrey Biegel http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=3703&cpage=1#comment-178958 Jeffrey Biegel Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:26:00 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=3703#comment-178958 The eloquence of your feelings and deep passion for what makes music 'music' and the performance of music an exciting moment in time for the performer and the listener, should be the paramount emotion of every aspiring musician from their waking minutes each and every day. No two days should ever be the same. I remember lessons with the passionate teacher, Adele Marcus. You bet your bottom dollar that every lesson had to be like your best performance. And she was right about that. She used to say, 'Don't play for me like you're in a small room. Play like you're in a large hall, dear. Project that way no matter where you are playing'. I suppose she was after the same of her students as you hoped for in listening to the auditions you attended. And just for my own two-cents, YES, joy can be taught. It can be taught through the eyes of the teacher, through the way they illustrate at their instrument, the words they choose, and the repertoire they teach. The eloquence of your feelings and deep passion for what makes music ‘music’ and the performance of music an exciting moment in time for the performer and the listener, should be the paramount emotion of every aspiring musician from their waking minutes each and every day. No two days should ever be the same. I remember lessons with the passionate teacher, Adele Marcus. You bet your bottom dollar that every lesson had to be like your best performance. And she was right about that. She used to say, ‘Don’t play for me like you’re in a small room. Play like you’re in a large hall, dear. Project that way no matter where you are playing’. I suppose she was after the same of her students as you hoped for in listening to the auditions you attended. And just for my own two-cents, YES, joy can be taught. It can be taught through the eyes of the teacher, through the way they illustrate at their instrument, the words they choose, and the repertoire they teach.

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