Klarinet Archive - Posting 000190.txt from 1996/02

From: niethamer@-----.BITNET
Subj: Re: non-majors studying clarinet
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 1996 22:53:14 -0500

On Wed, 7 Feb 1996, Daniel A. Paprocki wrote:

> This is directed at all college teachers out there.
>
> I'm curious about how many non-music majors are in everyone's studios. I
> have a soft place in my heart for these people since I was one of them at
> one time.

Right now at the University of Richmond I have all non-majors.
Instrumental majors there are few and far between. But UR has a high
admission standard (academically speaking) so I get highly motivated
students who view their clarinet study not as a competitive chore, but as
a pleasure to be experienced as often as an otherwise busy academic
schedule allows. Currently I have a junior business major preparing a
half recital (shared with a music major). My last major assessed the job
market, and went to law school, studying entertainment law and continuing
to teach elementary clarinet students and play as often as she gets the
chance.

Leon Russianoff pointed out the pleasure of teaching these students,
pretty much in the words I mentioned above, and I've never forgotten it.
He taught at Juilliard and Manhattan School (among other NYC places), had
great students in all those places, and still appreciated his "non
majors" just as much.

Maybe that's because Charles Neidich was among them (Yale, Anthropology
major!) I also understand that Anthony Pay was not a music major - is it
right to say Math at Cambridge?

> I have had non-majors that were better players than music majors
> and more dedicated. I feel that the key to keeping up a healthy studio or
> supplying large ensembles is in the non-music major. Unfortunately I think
> these people are the ones that are most often ignored or left to last.
> These are the people that will be doctors, engineers, lawyers, etc and will
> buy the concert tickets, have their children take music lessons, and in
> general have the money to support the arts. Don't ignore them!!! A good
> experience in college can carry on longer than a bad one.

Yes indeed!

David Niethamer