The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Meri
Date: 2004-12-28 22:32
He is now easily finding the time for both homework and practicing, and using most of his spare time to be with friends. As well, video games have “gotten boring”. He is also just about ready for his RCM exam in January, about 3 weeks ahead of schedule. A couple of small concerns on his scales, but that’s about it. Admits he’s a little nervous, but I know he’ll do well, (he’s performed both his list A and list B pieces before), and is an excellent sight-reader. Another thing that is keeping his motivation up is that I have recently attracted another 15-year-old student, who is almost 3 months older than he is, who, like him is also Mandarin Chinese, who is not too far off this student’s level. (But took 6 years of the school music program to that level, though there are some small gaps, mainly in his tone and alternate fingerings). I have scheduled their lessons back-to-back, for several reasons. The new student also would like to audition for Toronto Concert Winds/Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra, and wants to audition for university music programs in a couple of years. So there is the potential for friendship. (and perhaps a little friendly competition!) :-)
Meri
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-12-29 05:26
This is a good move, Meri. Take a lesson from Benny Goodman's teacher, Franz Schoep. (I hope I'm spelling it right)
Schoep would keep duets handy, and would have the arriving student play one with the departing student. More social lubricant. Add yourself in for some trios as well.
I constantly try to get students to play together but it's difficult to match abilities enough to avoid boredom in one and frustration in another. Take advantage of these guys' commonality, and show them how so many musical friendships start.
Allen Cole
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2004-12-29 15:33
Man, I wish I had taken lessons as a kid. These are great ideas for my students. They seem to enjoy the sax sectionals a lot too.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: Elizabeth
Date: 2004-12-29 18:44
Hi Meri,
You wouldn't happen to be from Texas and have *some* family in Michigan would you? Just wondering.
Thanks.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2004-12-29 21:32
Well, the proximity between the two students was what made it feasible (they live about 15 minutes away from each other), and because I teach in the student's home, and it happened to be possible with the new 15-year-old student to have his lesson on the same day.
Elizabeth: No, I don't have any family in Texas, but I do in Michigan, an aunt and a cousin in Detroit. But my cousin's in the Navy, and my aunt is out of the country a lot of the time.
Meri
"There is a difference between being flat and sounding in tune, and being in tune but sounding flat. The first I can live with; the second I cannot."
Post Edited (2004-12-29 22:04)
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