[TPIN] Adults playing in student productions

[Steve Roiland]

Its interesting to me because we are discussing introduction of popular 
music into school curriculum.  I strongly feel that music teachers and 
directors should try to add musical mentors to their teaching and 
performances with students.  The focus must be on the students and the 
learning experience.  Instrumental music is under attack.  If we don't do 
everything we can to promote and share our joy for live music, than we can 
only blame ourselves for the manufactured elevator noise that passes for 
music.

Steve Roiland



>From: David Arndt <darndt at oriongate.net>
>Reply-To: darndt at oriongate.net
>To: "'Jerry Cerchia'" <trptdr at prodigy.net>,        "'Andy Del'" 
><trumpetplayer at optusnet.com.au>,        "'Dave Lee'" 
><davesjazz at sbcglobal.net>,        "'Rich Szabo'" <rich at richszabo.com>, 
>tpin at tpin.okcu.edu,        Vaxtrpts at aol.com
>Subject: RE: [TPIN] Adults playing in student productions
>Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:16:05 -0700
>
>Jerry Wrote:
><<
>I have a more basic question....
>Assuming that you are of the beliefs stated below, and want it to a 
>"student
>only' led production, AND assuming that you KNOW the performance level
>abilities of your students, Why would you even think of bringing in a score
>that is over their heads and NOT bring in stronger players ?
> >>
>
>Good question.  I think it's fair to say that sometimes you don't know 
>until
>you are "in it".  You might pick a score that seems fine, only to find out
>that some part of the band is having a tough time (a surprise).  It's also
>fair to say that the person who is selecting the musical production might
>not be the band director, or the one who has best judgement as to how easy
>or difficult it is.
>
>
><<
>While I understand the need to challenge the students, aren't we setting
>them up to fail, unless you supplement the pit with more seasoned players?
> >>
>
>If you go back and read my post, I think you'll see that is *exactly* what
>I'm saying.  In other words - we're in agreement.  Supplement, if you have
>to.  (see my next to last paragraph)
>
>- da
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: tpin-bounces at tpin.okcu.edu [mailto:tpin-bounces at tpin.okcu.edu] On
>Behalf Of David Arndt
>Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 12:08 PM
>To: 'Andy Del'; 'Dave Lee'; 'Rich Szabo'; tpin at tpin.okcu.edu;
>Vaxtrpts at aol.com
>Subject: RE: [TPIN] Adults playing in student productions
>
>Andy's comments hit at the heart of the issue, IMO.
>
>I would sum it up this way:
>
>   The *goal* is a successful educational experience for ALL the kids
>involved.
>
>If this principle guides your choices, you can't go too far wrong.
>
>You want to use the kids as much as possible for everything: The acting,
>dancing, singing, orchestra, tech crews, set construction, admission sales,
>etc.
>
>But... The experience *has* to be pleasurable for the audience and the kids
>involved.  The kids will gauge their success to some degree based on how 
>the
>audience recieves it - and you cannot fool high school kids into thinking 
>it
>was "good" if it wasn't.
>
>So... If the orchestra parts can be convered successfully by the kids 
>alone,
>just use the kids.  If the kids would end up *failing* because the parts 
>are
>too much for them...
>
>For example, maybe you've got a very talented young 1st trumpeter who just
>needs another year or two to be able to handle the parts along, but can't
>right now - so bring in a good ringer to sit next to him... And turn it 
>into
>a success on BOTH the performance *and* educational front, instead of
>"breaking" the poor kid in front of his friends and family.
>
>Common sense should guide the choices, not dogma.
>
>Cheers,
>
>- Dave
>
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