Klarinet Archive - Posting 000288.txt from 1998/03

From: Lee Hickling <hickling@-----.Net>
Subj: Challenges
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 14:42:31 -0500

Challenges were a new thing to me when I began teaching clarinet and sax
privately and heard about them from some of my kids. They call them
"shootouts." They bother me. I can see that they can be a motivator, but
aren't they also counter-motivational for the kids who lose, especially if
that's it for the whole year?

Do the best players all wind up on first desk, the next best on second and
the rest on third? I have always believed that the best way to sort out a
section is to put the three best players on first chair first desk, first
chair second desk and first chair third desk. This ensures a more balanced
ensemble, and the players on the inside chairs have a strong lead to follow
and from which to learn.

Lee Hickling <hickling@-----.net>