Klarinet Archive - Posting 000268.txt from 2002/06

From: "Forest E. Aten Jr." <forestaten@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Teaching the 'students' of today
Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2002 11:47:38 -0400

Jeremy,

Some of the ensembles, programs, contests and teachers that impose an age
limit, do so to insure that the younger players have opportunity to
participate.

....or perhaps impose a minimum age so that the older players, of the
"gardening" variety don't feel threatened.

Forest Aten

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeremy A Schiffer" <schiffer@-----.edu>
Subject: Re: [kl] Teaching the 'students' of today

> On Fri, 7 Jun 2002, William Wright wrote:
>
> > Our community band limits membership to "50 years or older." Tony Pay
> > posted that the school where he teaches in the summer requires "under
> > 30".
> >
> > I suppose that each of these limts is an effort to gather players who
> > are more likely to have a similar point of view.
> >
> > Good? Or bad?
>
>
> One of the worst ideas I've ever heard, to be honest. When I was in high
> school, my band director also happened to be the conductor of the Arizona
> Symphonic Winds, a very good community band. Several professional players,
> and most high school band directors in the city of Tucson play in that
> ensemble. The director also brings in his top students, when he feels
> they've earned the right to play in it. I spent two years as a member of
> the ASW, and it was one of the best musical experiences of my life. We
> played incredibly challenging repertoire (Strauss _Don Juan_ in
> transcription, for one) along with the standard march/show tune fare. Not
> only was I introduced to some great literature, challenged on a regular
> basis, and forced to practice harder than I ever had before (let's face
> it, high school band literature isn't the greatest, especially when
> you're an advanced player), I also got to meet and interact with an
> amazing group of people. I sat last chair in the 3rd clarinet section, a
> few seats over from a renowned heart surgeon, and right next to a
> veterinarian who used to wow me with his stories of Italian ski
> vacations... Had I not been given that opportunity when I was 16, I would
> probably not be as serious of a player as I am today.
>
> Nowadays, my classical playing outlet is through the Columbia University
> Wind Ensemble. This is a group that was just started about three years
> ago, after a long period (as I understand it) with no serious concert band
> at Columbia. There were not enough interested students to fill all the
> sections (though each year there are more students), so there are many
> members of the community in the band. Folks like me, who work full time at
> the university, freelance musicians just looking for another musical
> outlet, and several dedicated amateur wind players. The ages range from
> 18 to well over 60, and we have a great time. After rehearsal, many of the
> non-students (at least, those over 21) go to a restaurant for dinner and
> drinks. So in addition to two hours of playing, it turns into a wonderful
> social event where everyone has a great time and gets to meet new people.
>
> These two ensembles have provided some of the best experiences in my
> musical life. I've made great friends at times, and just had opportunities
> to meet people I otherwise wouldn't, because the directors of these
> ensembles were smart enough not to implement any kind of age restrictions.
> As long as someone is mature enough to practice, arrive on time, and
> behave during rehearsals, they should be allowed to play in a group
> (assuming there's an opening in their section, of course). Having an
> opportunity to sit next to someone two generations away from you can be
> an invaluable experience, both musically and personally.
>
> It would break my heart to be denied the opportunity to make music just
> because I'm not the right age, whatever that is deemed to be.
>
> thanks,
>
> -Jeremy Schiffer
> 1st Clarinet, Columbia Wind Ensemble
> Clarinet, Columbia Klezmer Band
> mp3s of both at http://www.columbia.edu/~schiffer/music.html
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> Jeremy A. Schiffer
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> Columbia University
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