Klarinet Archive - Posting 000046.txt from 2000/10

From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl] Gentlemanly behavior
Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 08:29:36 -0400

At 05:10 AM 10/02/2000 -0700, you wrote:
>If your message isn't being heard, it doesn't matter how
>potent your point may be. You must appeal to people's hearts before you
>can engage their minds. Being "right" doesn't make you any less of an ass.
>
>-- Neil

I am remembering when I was a first year student in college (at IWU we call
them first year students now instead of freshmen) and there was a first
year tuba performance major who was an absolute monster musician (if you
can believe that!). At any rate, I enjoyed visiting him to listen to his
many different recordings (I couldn't believe that someone would actually
own 5 recordings of Mahler 5 - I didn't even have one!). Eventually
however, I came to view this person as somewhat righteous and egocentric.
He always had the "right" answer or the "correct" opinion. During a
discussion with another friend over dinner, I mentioned this and said I was
torn between my feelings of admiration for the person or revulsion over his
inability to see how his words and actions were uncaring regarding his
colleagues. Because this person had a rare, unusual insight into music,
should I forgo feelings of unhappiness because my "friend" could only put
down opinions I held for the sake of learning? Some of the best advice
ever received happened at dinner that evening. I quote, "Roger, just
because someone has impressed you with their musical abilities and insights
doesn't mean anything if he treats you that way. If he's an ass----, who
cares what he can do or what he knows?"

Well - it was a bit direct and vulgar, but the advice was solid. Neil has
expressed it again in a different location and with a different format -
but the advice remains essentially the same.

Best wishes,
Roger Garrett

Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director, Symphonic Winds
Advisor, IWU Recording Services
Illinois Wesleyan University
School of Music
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900
(309) 556-3268

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