Random Monday: Singing, Speaking and New Music

It’s Just the Singing
Putting the rather strong and insistent tone aside, this post from Roger Rocco has some interesting thoughts to think about. I love motivational quotes like these.

I do remain convinced however that there is more than one way to skin a cat, or to play a brass instrument. Some problems cannot be visualized, sung or willed away, no matter what any well-intended person in authority might assert.

As the old saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. This caveat aside, there is of course a time and a place for both technical detail and abstract thinking in teaching music.

Debunking cryogenics
This old article from the New York Times – “Hot Sounds From a Cold Trumpet? Cryogenic Theory Falls Flat” – reminds us that sometimes the latest and greatest thing ain’t so great.

Conservatories and entrepreneurship
A few rays of hope shine in regards to the new realities of the classical music profession. At The Musician’s Way Blog, Gerald Klickstein points out new programs being spearheaded at Indiana University, The Eastman School of Music and the University of South Carolina.

One point that stood out however:

… Hoverman, et al (2010) report that 61% of the music students they surveyed who had access to on-campus entrepreneurship resources and knew that they were available didn’t access them. A finding that matches what I’ve observed during my 30 years in higher education.

As I see it, entrepreneurship and career centers are necessary, but, in and of themselves, aren’t sufficient.

Conservatory cultures also need to evolve such that students can acquire expertise as independent artists via standard curricular activities.

Speaking of entrepreneurship
Derek Wright has a spiffy new web site. A clean-looking and professional web site is something that every serious young professional should have.

Rose French and friends talk about entrepreneurship in this podcast from Train Wreck in Progress. Rose French is a great example of the young, working musician in today’s world. She is the founder of the Mill Ave. Chamber Players, managing director of the Pangean Orchestra, teacher at Rosie’s House (a music school or underprivileged for kids).

Andrew Hitz writes about keeping your options open in the music business.

Still life
A nice painting. A nice photo and story.

Now that juries are getting near
This comic is a look at performance anxiety. Sometimes the anticipation of the event is much worse than the actual event.

Misaligned slides
This articles points out a common problem with factory-built horns.

A new writer at BrassMusician.com
Raquel Jimenez is welcomed as a new writer and offers her first article, an interview with Ken Pope.

Horn players walk out
The troubles at the mammoth Crystal Cathedral continue.

About a quarter of the orchestra — including an oboist, flutist and four French horn players — walked out a mere hour before services began Sunday. They refused to play when they found out their paychecks were short, in some cases by half of what they were verbally promised.

This is somewhat hard to believe:

Crystal Cathedral spokesman John Charles said Easter services weren’t affected by the eight people who walked out. Checks have been sent to those who performed.

“No one would have ever known they were missing,” he said of the eight.

Really?

Random videos

A children’s concert in Japan.

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George Edwards: Trio for Horn, Violin and Piano

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Novel for French Horn – Nickos Harizanos