Klarinet Archive - Posting 001277.txt from 2000/10

From: "Karl Krelove" <kkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] A curricular issue
Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 18:32:18 -0400

I guess it really depends on what the rationale is for the requirement. If
the skills that are developed uniquely by rehearsing and performing with an
ensemble are what are really important, then those skills can be developed,
if necessary, in a vocal ensemble (to use your specific example). In an
extreme case where a more appropriate ensemble isn't available, I don't
think you penalize the student because of what is essentially the
university's failure. On the other hand, if experience with a particular
body of literature for a specific group of instruments is an important
value, then some way needs to be found to guarantee the student's access to
that ensemble at a later time, along with some kind of temporary waiver of
(or substitution for) the requirement until the opportunity to participate
is available.

I must admit, I'm wondering why a university with a full blown school of
music (I'm assuming that's what you have in mind - maybe not) can't schedule
enough ensembles to provide for every student they've accepted. The
situation you've described sounds at first hearing like there's some
dissonance between the school's instructional staff and the university's
student admissions policies. You wouldn't think students who can't play well
enough for the least select ensembles would be admissible as fully
matriculated students. If there are "too many flute players," I'd think
someone should have thought to limit the flute admissions. And if it's only
one or two kids who are in some kind of crack, surely, they can be
accommodated in one of the available large ensembles with no real harm to
the group's balance.

Roger, I'm not a college teacher, so I can't really identify with this
predicament first-hand. I'd be interested to read more examples of how this
kind of situation can legitimately arise.

Karl Krelove

> -----Original Message-----
> From: rgarrett@-----.edu]
> Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 5:36 PM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: Re: [kl] A curricular issue
>
>
> Ok, here comes a real serious question from me - and I mean it.
>
> Are there ever circumstances when a student at a university who
> is majoring
> in music should be allowed to elect an ensemble to satisfy their ensemble
> requirement for which they do not participate in the ensemble on their
> major instrument?
>
> A typical example might be: should a flute student who did not make the
> bands or orchestra, either because there are too many flute players that
> semester or because the student was not at the correct level of
> playing, be
> allowed to take choir for their required ensemble?
>
> Assume that there are no attitudinal problems and that the
> student does not
> have a learning disability.
>
> Sincerely,
> Roger Garrett
>
>
> Roger Garrett
> Professor of Clarinet
> Director, Symphonic Winds
> Head, Recording Studio
> Illinois Wesleyan University
> School of Music
> Bloomington, IL 61702-2900
> (309) 556-3268
>
> "A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes
> another's."
> Jean Paul Richter (1763-1825)
>
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