[TPIN] Adults playing in student productions

[Ellis Workman]

So adult instrumentalists who volunteer to bale out
music/theatre directors who try to puff up their public image
by programming unrealistic repertoire for their students
will save us from elevator music?

-Ellis
    self-proclaimed TPIN curmudgeon




> 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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-- 
=====
Ellis Workman, ARS KØELW
Grid EN33sx Olmsted County
Rochester, MN US