[TPIN] Adults in student productions

[STEVENLSCHAFFNER at cs.com]

I have played in a number of school shows, and everytime I am contacted by 
the orchestra director, I say the same thing: I insist that the student in the 
chair beside me play everything he is capable of. That means every solo, every 
dance number, every soft, delicate part, every wailing screaming part. I am 
there to assist him with counting, musical considerations, spots he cannot play 
and would embarrass him/her at the performance (they still make the attempts 
in rehearsal to the best of their ability). That is it. It is a learning 
experience for the kids, and they don't learn as much if I do it for them. In every 
case, the director has agreed and thanked me. 

Steven L. Schaffner