With my studio's biggest performance of the semester just around the corner, marketing is underway not just for a live audience to fill the hall, but to tune in to our live webcast of the performance.
Why am I doing this?
-Conventional wisdom is self-promotion. To draw attention to my growing studio and the work they are accomplishing.
To make Adams State an attractive place for potential students to study music, consequently providing my current students with other quality students and opportunities in which to collaborate.
To build a following. Playing for a large and receptive audience is a plus for any performer. No one likes to play to seatbacks without bodies.
An attempt to be trendy and techy. Dialing into industry standards of production.
Of course, there is truth to the above. Those reasons tie into the ultimate rationale for promoting the concert, but are not my primary goal.
Over the past few years, my concerts have garnered local attention and built a very supportive audience. We take pride in our presentations and are always excited to share the percussive arts with our community. However, this is a biproduct of the educational goals I have set out to offer to my students.
Here's what it's really about:
- I want my students to play great for the sake of making great music.
- I want them to understand the cause and effect relationship of proper preparation and peak musical experiences.
- I want them to consider the professional neccesities of programming, audience building, quality performances, and personal and musical growth.
- And above all, I want them to look beyond their very supportive regional audience and understand that musical preparations and offerings should reach beyond "a" performance and "tonight's" audience to the untold audiences and experiences in their future. THAT is what it's about.
Raising the stakes for their own growth. It's already apparent in the preparation cycle.
I hope to make this a permanent process. Then we raise the stakes again... I'm thinking a recording project...
Watch the performance on Wednesday, March 2nd at 7:30pm Mountain Daylight Time at
www.adams.edu/live
My perspective as a percussionist and educator.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
An Open Invitation to Watch
Yesterday afternoon, our veterinarian performed surgery on our pooch, Gabriel. Tracy and I cleared our schedules with the intention of waiting impatiently for the doctor to give the thumb's up on a successful procedure.
Instead, we received an invitation into the operating room to watch from beginning to end.
Dr. Ratzlaff talked us through every step of the procedure, explained the anatomy, incisions, showed us the uroliths, discussed the suture patterns, and left us with a positive and anxiety-lessened experience. He was comfortable in his work, masterful in the surgery, and open to discuss every question we threw his way. In short, his sincerity and professionalism combined for a special experience in an otherwise undesirable situation.
Gabe is still recovering next to me as I type this and I have to say, my knowledge of canine anatomy and foremost, our trust in Dr. Ratzlaff is unwavering.
(Gabe pre-surgery)
Let's consider our craft.
Are you more aware of your practice routine when observed by others?
More considerate of your lesson plan or appearance when video recorded?
Bring your "A" game when under the microscope of your employer?
In a session at this year's PASIC, John Parks stated he records each lesson he teaches. This provides his students with an archive to refer to and ensures his best teaching. I found this approach inspiring, honest, and very refreshing.
Might this openness towards constant observation improve your craft?
Gain credibility with your students, audience, or potential clients?
Personally, I welcome observers to my rehearsals, lessons, and classes. When teaching private lessons to pre-college students, I encourage parents to observe. I require my percussion methods students to observe percussion lessons and percussion ensemble rehearsals. If a student intends to teach private lessons, I encourage them to observe several teachers to acquire a variety of styles.
And yes, I'd be happy to provide video of my practice sessions.*
*Warnings:
May cause drowsiness.
Wardrobe may be disturbing.
Language may not be suitable for children.
Instead, we received an invitation into the operating room to watch from beginning to end.
Dr. Ratzlaff talked us through every step of the procedure, explained the anatomy, incisions, showed us the uroliths, discussed the suture patterns, and left us with a positive and anxiety-lessened experience. He was comfortable in his work, masterful in the surgery, and open to discuss every question we threw his way. In short, his sincerity and professionalism combined for a special experience in an otherwise undesirable situation.
Gabe is still recovering next to me as I type this and I have to say, my knowledge of canine anatomy and foremost, our trust in Dr. Ratzlaff is unwavering.
Let's consider our craft.
Are you more aware of your practice routine when observed by others?
More considerate of your lesson plan or appearance when video recorded?
Bring your "A" game when under the microscope of your employer?
In a session at this year's PASIC, John Parks stated he records each lesson he teaches. This provides his students with an archive to refer to and ensures his best teaching. I found this approach inspiring, honest, and very refreshing.
Might this openness towards constant observation improve your craft?
Gain credibility with your students, audience, or potential clients?
Personally, I welcome observers to my rehearsals, lessons, and classes. When teaching private lessons to pre-college students, I encourage parents to observe. I require my percussion methods students to observe percussion lessons and percussion ensemble rehearsals. If a student intends to teach private lessons, I encourage them to observe several teachers to acquire a variety of styles.
And yes, I'd be happy to provide video of my practice sessions.*
*Warnings:
May cause drowsiness.
Wardrobe may be disturbing.
Language may not be suitable for children.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I feel you, Bill Cosby.
The other day, I performed with our bass professor and sax professor. Both are members of the USAF Academy Band's Falconaires, one of the nation's finest big bands. They can play. Really play.
Someone called "Cherokee." Being that up tempo swing isn't part of my daily regiment, the first thing that came to mind was this wonderful clip of Bill Cosby describing his experience playing "Cherokee."
Although I held my own, I still need those sticks with the blue tips.
Someone called "Cherokee." Being that up tempo swing isn't part of my daily regiment, the first thing that came to mind was this wonderful clip of Bill Cosby describing his experience playing "Cherokee."
Although I held my own, I still need those sticks with the blue tips.
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