Klarinet Archive - Posting 000086.txt from 2000/02

From: Don Longacre <nw2v@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: Why?
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2000 21:24:22 -0500

I have been following the posts on older amateur clarinet players and the
reluctance of teachers to undertake the travail of having to deal with them.
This notion has all the earmarks of the beginning of a beautiful stereotype.
I see a grizzled old geezer, Albert system clarinet in hand, admonishing
a "young whippersnapper" teacher that he was playing clarinet back before
the big-bang, etc. This doesn't quite seem to have a real world ring to it.
Number one, most amateur clarinet players are just that, amateur
clarinetists. Most have functioned, probably successfully, in other fields.
They perhaps enjoyed stature in those fields commensurate with that of first
class players in music. Number two, most amateurs are fully aware they are
not performance material and could care less. They are not "chair" competitive.
They enjoy rehearsals and the camaraderie. They watch the conductor because they
are told to do so and as mature adults would have expected the same consideration
from subordinates in their own field. Number three myth dispenser: These folks
do take lessons and try their best to practice and apply what is taught them.
Doing away with a bad habit and learning a better way is not that big a deal.
Unlike a beginning student, older mature amateurs have choice. I daresay they
would take lessons then capriciously ignore or fail to practice what they are
taught. I have talked to instructors about certain problems I had been having
and got the response, "Sure, I can work with you on that." I was further
gratified to have the instructor treat me like a student and not patronize
me because of my age. Personally I think a clarinet teacher who sniffs at
teaching to advanced age amateurs should not give up his day job just yet.
As in all disciplines, there are teachers and then again, there are teachers.

The Eastman School of Music has in their Community Education Division a
unique and very successful program. It is the creation of a faculty member,
Roy Ernst, who through grants set up the New Horizons Band which is designed
for those over age 55 who enjoy playing music. Whether its a long layoff or
a new adventure matters not a whit. The Eastman Band numbers about 120 strong.
It splits into two units for gigs that can't accomodate all. There are 33
such bands under the guidance of Dr Ernst all over the country and including
Australia. In rehearsals, Instructors are picking their students out of
sections for a lesson in adjoining rooms, Small chamber music groups are
rehearsing concurrently in separate rooms. Its like an orderly Times Square
of music activity. There are currently three levels of this band from "Green"
up through an advanced group. I have had the distinct pleasure of playing
lst clarinet with these folks for the past two years and it has enhanced my
retirement enormously. I had a 42 year layoff from any form of music and
back now for 8 years is wonderful. No career concerns whatever, just do it
for the pure fun. Thanks for listening to another opinion.

Donald Longacre

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