Klarinet Archive - Posting 000205.txt from 2005/01

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <arlyss1@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] OT: school concerts & music programs; was, Rhapsody In Blue gliss
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 06:50:51 -0500

Ted Casher wrote:

> I played the gliss all during December, when I was doing 17
> educational concerts with the Schoolhouse Band, all through Rhode
> Island. RI, being a very small state, makes it geographically
> possible to play three or four concerts in one day, going to 3 or 4
> different schools. We played in front of some very cute children, and
> they all liked the gliss, and they all liked my Klezmer playing on the
> Hannukah song.
>
> Off topic, we witnessed the sight of two fairly young lady teachers
> fleeing from the hall in a panic, when faced with the prospect of
> singing a phrase of "White Christmas" over the wireless mic!!!! This
> is a result of getting rid of elementary music programs in the
> Seventies. For shame, for shame!!!

Indeed!

We here in Stafford County, Virginia still have our music programs,
albeit some teachers must take music class to the regular classroom on a
cart (when I substitute, I've had to do that from time to time!) It's
not convenient, but we manage, and make it work. It is not preferred,
but it is better than no program at all.

However, it sounds like you had a blast with those holiday concerts,
Ted! You are so fortunate to get to do those things.

Kids LOVE to hear LIVE instrumental music, the more the better. When I
sub for elementary music teachers, I nearly ALWAYS take at least ONE
horn - normally two, my Bb clarinet, and my flute. Today, I return to a
school, and to several classes in which I've already spent some time, so
I am considering taking my Bb and my A clarinet, and simply letting the
students see two differently pitched clarinets. No long lessons about
why at this point (they are a bit young, and I have lesson plans from
the regular teacher I'm bound to adhere to, so I don't have long to do
"my" thing), so I'm just going to show them both, and let the fact there
are TWO and they're a little different sink in - kind of a "Think about
THAT for a while!" approach.

As to the gliss, kids LOVE the clarinet, because of all the really neat
things you can do on the instrument. Granted they enjoy the flute
because of the tone coloring, etc., but all the neat noises you can get
out of a clarinet and then - a beautiful sound ALSO! They just get
"blown away" by the possibilties!

Do you ever record The Schoolhouse Band, Ted?

Patricia Smith

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