Klarinet Archive - Posting 000175.txt from 2004/07
From: "Howard Shertzer" <shertzhg@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Revelli
Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2004 16:49:55 -0400
Dear Dave,
I agree with you that a positive attitude and rewards beats negativism and
punishment (i.e., carrots beats sticks). In fact, Revelli would heap praise
on good playing, but woe be he who did something that he considered
non-professional. For example, he once instructed us to change dynamic
markings from fff to mp. I did not mark it down, because I did not have a
pencil with me, and I thought I would remember. Anyway, in the next
rehearsal, I blared out my fff, then realized in horror I was alone. Too
late for me. I was banished for a week from rehearsal, because I did not
mark the change. I was embarrassed and humiliated, but I was wrong and he
was right. To this day, I bring to community band rehearsal pencil, an
extra mouthpiece, absorbant paper, and extra reeds for me and for most of
the clarinet section.
He could have been NICE about it, but would I have learned my lesson so
well? He had a huge ego, true. He bullied, true. But was it ever fun to
play in the best damn college band in the country, if not the world. So
maybe its different strokes for different folks, and I (also with a
reasonably strong ego), accepted the negative, along with the positive, and
prospered. Others in the band did not prosper, and I know several students
who quit or changed majors. Maybe this was bad, or maybe they shouldnt have
been music majors in the first place. I was the rare bird who was not a
music major, so perhaps I had less to lose.
I do a great deal of student advising myself now, and I would never treat my
advisees, the way Revelli treated his students. But remember that the
philosophy of education has changed a lot. At that time, professors in
college were quite revered, and would never be questioned on a decision.
Now we welcome debate, and are excited when we are challenged by a student.
So he was a product of the time, as was I.
I truly believe that he was great man, inspirational and gifted. His
feeling for the music was uncanny, and he got more out of us, individually
and as a group, than we thought possible. So if he had failings, I forgive
him. I did not mean to be harsh with you in my last email. But I felt I had
to defend a man that I personally respect at the highest level.
Regards,
Howard
Howard G. Shertzer, Ph.D.
Professor of Environmental Health & Center for Environmental Genetics
Director of Environmental Genetics & Molecular Toxicology Graduate Program
University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056
Voice (513) 558-0522; Fax (513) 558-0925
Email shertzhg@-----.edu
----- Original Message -----
From: "David McClune" <dmcclune@-----.edu>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 3:24 PM
Subject: Re: [kl] Revelli
> Howard,
>
> I was not sure whether to say what I originally said, but I based my
> remarks on having played for him as a doctoral student (he guested at
> FSU) and conversations with a great many players who played for him as
> you did. In addition I have many of the recordings he did at UofM, and
> they are truly remarkable.
>
> However I do have serious concerns, pedagogically, over his, and many
> other BDs of that generation. The style of negative treatment of
> students is not the most effective and efficient way to motivate
> students (based on current research). To spend a few days watching and
> hearing Allan McMurry from UC Boulder work a band is inspirational for
> the love of the students and the love of music making which occurs.
>
> Respectfully yours
>
> Dave
>
>
> Dr. David McClune
> Professor of Woodwinds
> Director of Bands
> Union University-1862
> 1050 Union University Drive
> Jackson, TN 38305
>
> Office-731-661-5294
> dmcclune@-----.edu
> www.mcclunemouthpiece.com
>
> >>> shertzhg@-----.edu 07/05/04 01:43PM >>>
> Dave,
>
> I played under Revelli in the University of Michigan band in 1963-1967.
> The
> man was inspiring, and totally professional.
> For example, if a clarinet player did not have a good playable spare
> reed,
> he/she could be sent away from rehearsal with some humiliation. And
> why
> not? He was training students to be professional musicians. Can you
> imagine
> a professional musician without a spare reed?
>
> And the man was a musical genius. He taught us musicianship. We did not
> just
> play notes and follow dynamics. We played music. He was one of the
> most
> inspiring men I have ever met. I would respect your comments if you
> played
> in his bands. If you haven't, you don't know what you are talking
> about.
>
> Howard
>
>
> Howard G. Shertzer, Ph.D.
> Professor of Environmental Health & Center for Environmental Genetics
> Director of Environmental Genetics & Molecular Toxicology Graduate
> Program
> University of Cincinnati Medical Center
> Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056
> Voice (513) 558-0522; Fax (513) 558-0925
> Email shertzhg@-----.edu
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David McClune" <dmcclune@-----.edu>
> To: <klarinet@-----.org>
> Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 1:37 PM
> Subject: RE: [kl] bumblebee
>
>
> > Dan,
> >
> > Your last comment, quoted below, is the understatement of the month!
> > Revelli was a band conductor in the Toscanni style. Loud, bullish,
> > humiliating, somewhat sadistic, and he created a style of band
> directing
> > which is still neagatively affecting music education.
> >
> > Yes he had fantastic sounding bands, but at what long term cost. In
> a
> > large research study about 15 years ago it was discovered that the
> > average HS band director (not the sadistic ones) used 95% negative
> > comments in rehearsals! In counseling, over 50% of negative is
> abuse.
> >
> > Another study, unrelated to the first, about 5 years later
> discovered
> > that the average dropout rate between high school and college band
> for
> > band players was 95%. Makes you wonder!
> >
> > Boy has this discussion changed from a buzzing fat bee!
> >
> > Dave
> >
> >
> > Dr. David McClune
> > Professor of Woodwinds
> > Director of Bands
> > Union University-1862
> > 1050 Union University Drive
> > Jackson, TN 38305
> >
> > Office-731-661-5294
> > dmcclune@-----.edu
> > www.mcclunemouthpiece.com
> > >>> dnleeson@-----.net 07/05/04 11:36 AM >>>
> >
> > That Revelli must have had some ego.
> >
> > Dan Leeson
> > DNLeeson@-----.net
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Forest Aten [mailto:forestaten@-----.net]
> > Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 9:12 AM
> > To: klarinet@-----.org
> > Subject: Re: [kl] bumblebee
> >
> >
> >
> > Remember Jimmie
> > > Burke, the solo cornettist with the Goldman Band. As far as I
> > > was able to determine, he could ONLY play fast.)
> > >
> > > Dan Leeson
> > > DNLeeson@-----.net
> > >
> > >
> > Dan,
> >
> > Do you have any of the old Goldman Band recordings?
> > I can remember, as a kid, listening to a remarkable recording of
> > the band.
> > Jimmy Abado performed the final movement from the Tchaikovsky vio
> > lin
> > concerto.....wow, what incredible tonguing.
> > I owned this recording many, many years ago. My Mother tossed it
> > in a
> > cleaning frenzy. I would love to hear it again after 40 years
> > passing. I've
> > searched the net...without luck.
> >
> > Forest Aten
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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