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 Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2005-03-01 21:07

ah, the link expired. It was about a 16 yr old Scientist who plays the Clarinet quite well.



Post Edited (2005-03-16 01:02)

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2005-03-01 21:08

Backun Barrel  :)

She's a student of Ricardo



 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2005-03-01 21:26

DavidBlumberg wrote:

> http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-liteen0301,0,1452312.story

You mean physics prodigy who play the clarinet, not clarinet prodigy.

But impressive nonetheless. But what does having lessons with Ricardo and a Backun barrel have to do with Einstein-Bose condensates?

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2005-03-01 21:30

She considers her clarinet to be of equal importance to her science.

And since this is afterall a clarinet board, I figured I'd keep it "on topic".....  :)

btw - she is the youngest Doctoral Candidate in the USA.



Post Edited (2005-03-01 21:34)

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2005-03-01 21:44

Could be youngest PhD in the world if I remember correctly.

US Army Japan Band

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Ken Shaw 2017
Date:   2005-03-01 21:57

Here's a thread on her from a year ago, with a link to a good newspaper story.

http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=139026&t=139026

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: LeWhite 
Date:   2005-03-01 22:08

Ah, this girl again.
I downloaded MP3's from her website a long time ago. I don't quite think her clarinet playing is going to change the world...

__________________
Don't hate me because I play Leblanc! [down]Buffet

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Melissa 
Date:   2005-03-01 23:06

LeWhite,
I wouldn't want you to hear me play.



 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: toney 
Date:   2005-03-02 00:12

Repesctable yes, world changing..........hhmmmm......


This would have to go to 15 yr old prodigy and classmate at the Academy of mine, Mr. Julian Bliss. No disrespect, but his live performance of the Finzi concerto this term at the Academy would put this girl (and many pros for that matter) to shame......


A talent yes, but let's be careful who we attach "prodigy" monikers to.........

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: clarinetist04 
Date:   2005-03-02 00:35

I think it's great that she is so active in science and music, but, like some said, I would be afraid she may burn herself out! I don't say that for any reason other than there are consequences to pushing yourself too hard...I know that as an engineering student (which she is as well!).

Seriously, Julian Bliss is an amazing clarinetist. I saw an interview he did a few years ago. He is phenomenal...probably one of the best clarinet soloists today...yes, I've lumped him in with a category comprised of the best of the best and compared him to Stoltzman or Meyer. He's that good.

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2005-03-02 00:45

She will probably change the world with science, not music. If she were into playing pop music than maybe.....

Her contributions to Science will most likely be spectacular though.



 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Bradley 
Date:   2005-03-02 01:22





Post Edited (2008-03-28 23:40)

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Kevin 
Date:   2005-03-02 01:28

DavidBlumberg wrote:

> Backun Barrel
>
> She's a student of Ricardo


Is that a BG ligature I see too?



Post Edited (2005-03-02 01:30)

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2005-03-02 02:27

Yup, it isn't Rovner!

btw, there isn't any recent playing on her site. I edited the Messager for her and it was from a few years ago. She's 16 now, so that would put the Messager probably at 14.

As for Bliss, he's still a young kid. But his playing is far, far beyond his years. When he's 25 he will probably blow most everyone away at any age. Age to age I think he is far better than the guy (can't remember his name) who got the principal Met job.



 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: ginny 
Date:   2005-03-02 04:51

We had a math/physics prodigy here abouts that had been so pressured by his dad that he really did fall apart. He ended up working at a min. wage job at the local Longs, he graduated from Jr. High after he got his math degree. One has to wonder how much is parental push when you see these kids.

http://election.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/02/15/60II/main160947.shtml



Post Edited (2005-03-02 04:57)

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2005-03-02 10:34

She was reading at 8 months. I just read that article. Alia isn't like that at all. What she is doing she does because she has the passion for it. Her parents aren't pushing her at all.

The guy in the article (his dad) was a complete nutjob looser. The kid didn't have a chance with a dad like that.



Post Edited (2005-03-02 10:58)

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2005-03-02 22:10

Quote:

We had a math/physics prodigy here abouts that had been so pressured by his dad that he really did fall apart. He ended up working at a min. wage job at the local Longs, he graduated from Jr. High after he got his math degree.
But more importantly, now he's happy.

US Army Japan Band

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Ralph G 
Date:   2005-03-02 22:17

For some reason I'm reminded of a scene from the TV show Cheers:

Quote:

Norm: I've always had this fear of being a failure.

Carla: You ARE a failure.

Norm: (pause) Well then I've licked it!


Not that I'm implying anyone's a failure.

________________

Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.

- Pope John Paul II

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Kevin 
Date:   2005-03-03 01:46

Once a week, she returns to New York to practice with the New York Youth Symphony. She will play as principal clarinetist when the symphony performs Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 this Sunday at Carnegie Hall.


This is very exciting, as I will be in attendance at that concert.

Actually, now that I think back - I may have actually seen her play already with the NYYS their last Carnegie Concert with Glenn Dicterow as guest in December. The clarinet section definately had a girl who might have been her.

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2005-03-03 02:04

Yup, she was playing then in the group.



 
 Re: Fizix Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Shorthand 
Date:   2005-03-03 05:21

A 15 year-old PhD canidate in Physics is a prodigy.

However, optical atom trapping is a pretty mature field these days - and is ready to find technological applications (the big problem being that you have to get on all 6 sides of an atom to trap it). Her post-doc could move in another direction, but atomic physics is well beyond the fundamental stage, as the last major hurdle, bose-einstein condensation, was achieved 6-7 years ago now.

Unlike you guys, I'm not surprised at the combination at all. The same kind of mind that makes a great physicist often also makes a good musician. One of my favorite physics profs' brother was a music prof. One of the clarinets with me in the Austin Symphonic Band is a physics PhD canidate in Steven Weinberg's theory group.

As for the clarinet angle - well, I wouldn't expect a flute to enter a field where she couldn't be assured of success (smirk). Physics takes the kind of attitude found in either the clarient section or in the low brass (or the occasional French Horn).

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: bawa 
Date:   2005-03-03 10:13

Well these stories always scare me! These stories can only take place in certain places in the world, because in others you wouldn't be allowed to in any case. Here in Spain e.g., you can only be promoted "extra"once in primary and once in secondary in exceptional circumstances, so you might finish school a couple of years earlier at most.

But education (and I agree) is something more than how many facts you can remember and how many problems you can solve etc. It is about learning to live wit your fellow students, enjoying life, making friends, having fun etc.etc. etc.
I know someone who could be in this situation as a violin player, but whose parents prefer her to keep to her normal schooling and normal music schooling. She is a fantastic teenager, she knows she plays really really really well, she knows thats whats she wants to be once she grows up, but at the moment its all about learning and practising.

Someone on this post says that this person is doing it because they want to. Good luck and hope things turn out well for her, but if it were a child here, I think the course of her education would have been quite different, and I don't think any worse. After all, are there no geniuses and prodigies born in countries where you can't jump the normal system, and is it necessarily worse in the end? Going to university was about learning in a field I love, and had fellow brilliant students doing doctorates in this or that, but it was also about meeting people, learning about life, and whole new idea about life.

I am no genius, but had the luck to attend one of the foremost universities in the world in its field, so I am talking about people who were really on top in whatever they were doing. In short, would we have had so much fun if we had met there at 14-15-16 instead of 19-20-21...?

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: music_is_life 
Date:   2005-03-03 15:40

interesting- there is a music "podigy" (to over-ise the word more) in my school. YES, a NORMAL highschool- he's not off at some special music school (i.e. julliard or the likes) and isn't being challanged in the school's music program. However, he finds other ways to be challanged- i.e. higher level groups, where people have been holding their union cards for a decade or more. So he gets his musical experiences and challanges and still gets to be in highschool with people his own age. why can't this girl do that to? study specially with some science school or something and remain in highschool, where she can LEARN! you can't jump around in your growing-up process, and her skipping grades is going to catch up with her one day. Maybe she'll end up regretting it, as much as she's "enjoying" it now.
I agree with bawa and several other posters on this thread and the other one dedicated to her new achievements.

-Lindsie



 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2005-03-03 16:02

I guess it just depends on what kind of person you are. I got into a very good military college and have had some pretty unique and interesting experiences in life, but I personally (like you guys said), felt like I wanted to go to a more "normal" place and live out a more "normal" life, with the same trials/tribulations as any other college student would have. I felt as though that military college lifestyle wasn't for me and I personally felt like I was missing out. I'm very happy that I left and although life definitely is more challenging for me without having that wonderful all expenses paid education, I'm reveling in the fact that I'm living my life the way I choose.

She chose to go right ahead and to strive for those challenges. Noone (at least not to our knowledge) forced her to pick certain majors or move ahead in life.

Not to mention, at SOME point, life WILL catch up. I'm sure when she's 30 years old, she'll be just like any other joe schmoe person with a doctorate's in physics and knows how to trap an atom with a beam of light [right]

Anyways, she chose to go there, and so long as noone forces her to continue, she can choose to stop when she wants. And so I (like Dave B. pointed out in our other parallel thread), also feel that she'll probably end up being happy.

Whether she changes the world or not, I don't know. I'm not too sure on how much our world (or more selfishly, MY world!!) will be affected if they know they can trap an atom . . . . . . but at least we'd know it's possible . . . .

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: clarinetwife 
Date:   2005-03-03 16:47

Academics (and music), though important, are only part of growing up. You want the gifted child to get what he or she needs at school, but it is also important to guard their right to be a kid. Accomplishments and ability can make a kid stand out, and most would rather blend in at least some of the time. But you want them reach for what they can do. It is a delicate thing, and I find the issues some of the younger posters brought up to be very interesting.

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2005-03-03 19:20

clarinetwife wrote:

> Academics (and music), though important, are only part of
> growing up. You want the gifted child to get what he or she
> needs at school, but it is also important to guard their right
> to be a kid.

Correct. I really commend the mother of this girl who, every night, had a dedicated cut off time where the child HAD to stop studying and working and now it was relaxation and play-time with friends or whomever. Basically, a schoolwork "curfew". I thought it was very smart.

US Army Japan Band

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: frank 
Date:   2005-03-03 21:14

It's amazing to me that some people are so negatively judgemental towards Sabur and Bliss. They both are prodigious in their abilities. Why is it so hard for some people to dole out an open compliment without adding their "two cents" of why they aren't up to snuff? I respect opinions of all kinds, but lets be real about this. They both are under 16 first of all. That fact alone makes it awesome. Not many adults have ever - or will ever - accomplish what those two kids have done already. Where is your People Magazine article speaking of your physics accomplishments, Mark? Bradley... when did you last perform with the London Symphony, or were you FOURTEEN when and if you did? 'Nuff said.

I know some will read my post and dig too deep, trying to find flaw after flaw. Let me state that in no way, shape or form do I believe that if one is featured in a magazine or is popular, does it makes them a prodigy, worthy of adulation, or critical praise. Put your best recordings of the same piece up against Sabur and Bliss, let the rest of us decide who is better. Most of you will LOSE. Musicians mature most often as they age. Just imagine what these two will be capable of in the near future. So it is wrong to pass judgement like they are at the top of their game. It's rude, disrespectful, and extremely short sighted. Our "idol" Ricardo was treated with the same disregard by some... and still is. Go on, ask him about some of his experiece with "idiots" as Sabur so eloquently wrote in her article linked above.

The point I am trying to make is that more often than not, these type of kids turn out to be even more amazing in their fields as they age. There are exceptions, of course like in anything. The bottom line is that some individuals want sucessful people to fail for reasons of jealousy and insecurity in what they are/do. Just give these two talented kids their props and quit trying to compete with them. You won't win.

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2005-03-03 21:22

Absolutely.

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Robert Moody 
Date:   2005-03-03 21:28

Quote:

The point I am trying to make is that more often than not, these type of kids turn out to be even more amazing in their fields as they age. There are exceptions, of course like in anything. The bottom line is that some individuals want sucessful people to fail for reasons of jealousy and insecurity in what they are/do. Just give these two talented kids their props and quit trying to compete with them. You won't win.


Damn! [frown]

I wish I had read this post before I posted in the other. [cool]

As David offered,
Quote:

Absolutely.


Ditto.

Robert Moody
http://www.musix4me.com
Free Clarinet Lessons and Digital Library!

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: music_is_life 
Date:   2005-03-03 21:32

frank: jealousy? *shrugs*

[frown]

-Lindsie



Post Edited (2005-03-03 21:33)

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: clarinetwife 
Date:   2005-03-03 21:43

frank wrote: >
It's amazing to me that some people are so negatively judgemental towards Sabur and Bliss. They both are prodigious in their abilities. ... The point I am trying to make is that more often than not, these type of kids turn out to be even more amazing in their fields as they age. There are exceptions, of course like in anything.<

I think there are enough exceptions in the form of early burnout to make one pause and think seriously about what is best for the whole young person. That is not to say that being in an adult setting in one's mid teens doesn't work for some, but it is not healthy for others. It is not being negative about the success of Sabur and Bliss to sound a note of caution about other cases. I agree about some of the comments about their playing, though.

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Bradley 
Date:   2005-03-03 22:54

Frank- I really can't believe you replied to my post the way you did. I never said they were bad players, and I don't think that. I just don't like Sabur's playing on the recordings, but I looked at her accomplishments and basically gave her the benefit out the doubt. Bliss I think is a great player, probably the best his age in the world, but I don't think he can compete with the best of any age. If he could he wouldn't be taking lessons anymore most likely. I realize that he will go on to become a great player provided the "burnout" situation isn't the case here. Either way, I'm sorry if you think I have to perform with a major European orchestra in my teens in order to express my opinion. I've done a lot that I'm proud of, even if I'm not a prodigy, and I'm trying to make it in the business like anyone else. I can't even type anything else about it- I just don't understand where you're coming from.

Bradley



Post Edited (2008-03-28 23:42)

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: ginny 
Date:   2005-03-04 01:04

A problem I have with all of this is that so many parents of kids who are good, but not prodigies, are pushing them. For every Julian Bliss there are many many kids with Adragon parent syndrome (see my earlier link, "my child must be a genius.") I have seen it in youth symphony and in AP classes.

It's a tough call. My son's piano teacher's kid was a violin prodigy or very close and she resents her parents having decided on her career. She was forced to practice. She does not have a very good relationship with her mom. She does love to play and plays beautifully. However she is not a household word exactly, just another pressured violin star. The teacher (long term relationship here) always wanted me to push my son harder and I did not. It was a problem between us on occasion. His dad and I did not want him to be a prodigy particularly, although he is very capable and perhaps could have been. Or he could have been just another pushed child with a stage mom. The local youth symphony is packed with those.

Sometimes I think I should have pushed him more. But he's done pretty well, he has just been offered a CA Regents scholarship and will graduate from HS at 16, having completed the first two years of a math degree (math a sci requirements as AP or other college courses), while first chair in the large high school for two years now. But he got to go proms, play at football games, go to movies and play poker with his buddies. I wouldn't trade that for the crapshoot of prodigy fame. My son says he's glad of it, he does not think the piano teacher's way is for him. If he wants to be very sucessful he will, but by his own choice because he wants to. I didn't want him to be one of the several hundred nearly prodigies who gave up too much so Julian Bliss could be located.

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2005-03-04 02:16

Here's a blast from the past for you.

It's me at 16 - had played for only 4 years as I started playing at 12 and was playing the Weber #2 Concerto with Orchestra by Memory:

http://s25.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=17CIQGZZLRNZ90XJQF0LPX7Y17

The recording was from 1980 and on a small tape recorder so don't expect much for the sound - but you can still hear musicality, technique, etc.....

The last page was fun.

Have some cotton availiable just in case your ears start bleeding  ;)



Post Edited (2005-03-04 02:36)

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: mkybrain 
Date:   2005-03-04 02:24

Haha, very nice, i enjoyed it.

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: EEBaum 
Date:   2005-03-04 04:53

Charming. Gotta love Weber 2.

I've only heard it with a student and piano, or a pro and orchestra, so that's quite a pleasant change. There's a certain fearless edge you get in some student performances, which is great in my opinion. (either that, or they play shy, which I can't stand, though I'm guilty of it myself at times)

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: clarinetmajr 
Date:   2005-03-04 05:40

Hmmm.... gotta love the Landsdowne Symphony.

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: bawa 
Date:   2005-03-04 09:55

OK, thanks to the people who understood what I was trying to say in my post.
Others seem to regard it as putting down of the two young people mentioned here; others just seem to see envy if not plain jealousy.
Well, one can't convince people who make that sort of judgement that it is not the case, and it is one reason I was hesitant of posting in the first place.
David, I was speaking from a parents point of view. What would you do if someone said that to you for your child? Would you put "curfewtime" for study like in one post, or push your child towards "jumping" to university? It is a difficult decision. You might consider the situation where I speak not only from "jealousy" but from personal experience as well.

The other point was that we have clarinet /music/physics or whatever stars in countries where it would be "illegal" to jump the system in this way, does not matter whether you are prodigy or not. Once you are an adult or almost adult, you can then make the decision study 10 degrees or doctorates or whatever if you want. But not when you are a child, because the decision is always being made by the parents...or by a child, however brilliant, is still a child. But we still have Sabine and Paul Meyer etc. etc. who presumably got a normal schooling even if they were from a musical family and probably playing the Weber or whatever by an early age. And presumably Germany still manages to produce top level physicists or biochemists etc. The proportion of "prodigies" in any given population is very similiar, its just that in some countries you can be in University at twelve and in others you have to wait.

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2005-03-04 11:41

Clarinetmajr - you get the "prize". Yup

Personally I think that it would be an equal crime (actually much more of one) to hold back a student who is working at 8 years ahead of their peers.


A parent should never, ever "force" that kind of acceleration on a kid, but if they have the ability than it would be worse to hold them back!



Post Edited (2005-03-04 11:58)

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: music_is_life 
Date:   2005-03-04 11:44

I think it's time we end this discussion because no one is going to let up on their opinions, so why keep arguing?

-Lindsie



 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: GBK 
Date:   2005-03-04 11:51

music_is_life wrote:

> I think it's time we end this discussion ...


[ We will decide if the thread needs closing. If you have nothing further to contribute, do not continue to post! - GBK ]

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Robert Moody 
Date:   2005-03-04 11:52

Quote:

It's me at 16 - had played for only 4 years as I started playing at 12 and was playing the Weber #2 Concerto with Orchestra by Memory:


Sigh...and it's all been downhill from there. [frown] Sounds like they came out with Hi-Fi just in time for your recording as well. When was that...1955, 1956? [cool]

Of course I'm kidding. [smile] Wish I had that kind of ability to walk out and showoff at 35. 16? Hmmpf. Thanks for offering, David. :)

Robert Moody
http://www.musix4me.com
Free Clarinet Lessons and Digital Library!

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: music_is_life 
Date:   2005-03-04 11:59

Quote:

We will decide if the thread needs closing. If you have nothing further to contribute, do not continue to post! - GBK


I realize that- it was merely an opinion, because everyone is simply arguing the same point back and forth, and though it interests me, and i love hearing everyone's opinion, it seems that people are just putting each other down or disputing other's opinions and giving multiple reasons as to why one's opinion doesn't count, which isn't fair. but anyway, i suppose i will stop posting on this thread, as my opinion isn't taken seriously anyway.

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: GBK 
Date:   2005-03-04 12:19

music_is_life wrote:

> it seems
> that people are just putting each other down


[ There were no ad hominem attacks on this thread. ]


> or disputing
> other's opinions and giving multiple reasons as to why one's
> opinion doesn't count, which isn't fair.


[ Disagreements will always happen. Debate is fine. - GBK ]

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: clarispark 
Date:   2005-03-04 13:36

I'll put in my two cents now...
I can understand the whole "being pushed" business. My mother has been trying to push me away from music for eight years now. She doesn't think that it's a useful field. But this fall I will be the first person from my family to take up music as a career--at the same time I become the first person to start out in a bachelor's degree program.
My younger brother has an IQ of around 170, and he's always being shoved into school subjects he doesn't want. He wants to devote more time to his music (he plays trombone), but he's being forced to take all sorts of science and math classes. As a freshman in high school, he is taking the most advanced science class offered to freshmen (physical science) while studying physics and concepts in chemistry at home. The only time he has been allowed to put his foot down about something, really, was that he chose not to take the entrance tests for Mensa.
My parents are already planning to send him to a good college for engineering or something--they want to send him to MIT in a few years. He wants to join up with me at Central Michigan University and major in music.
Anyone else have a similar situation?

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Shorthand 
Date:   2005-03-04 15:27

Wow - I'm really surprised at the depts of emotion this topic has drudged up.

In Alia's case, I see little evidence of being pushed. Nobody pushes their kids into physics. If someone's parent is a physisicst, they know that you must love your work to do it. In addition, its not a subject you can discuss with any level of sophisitication until everyone has had calculus. (A physicist's thought is always colored by his or her calculus education, and its a really challenge to talk about physics in other, less natural, terms.)

However, one key area where physics and music differ in this regard is that your physics doesn't change with emotional maturity like your music-making does. Physicsts are prepared to judge each other strictly in terms of ability - as the incident in the bar (in the story) emphasizes.

While I agree that parents can wrongly project their ambitions on their children, lets not project the parents' sins on ambitious children. God knows, there are kids who love music, and practice with joy. There are also kids who love science. It is possible to foster ambition without pushing.

Its every parent's job to assess their childrens' abilities and set appropriate standards and goals with the consent and agreement of their children. Those parents that are here certainly can set appropiate goals for their children in the arena of music - I'm sure you knew from an early age just how good of an ear your children did or did not have.

However, parents and kids both are sinners - and I don't know any way that you or I are going to fix it. We can moan all we want but I think the question here should be when we encounter a parent with unrealistic expectations or one imposing goals without the advice and consent of their children, is there a way to intervene in a constructive manner? Is it right to foment a little rebellion in the child in that situation? Is there way to help the parent see their kid's point of view as legitimate?

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: music_is_life 
Date:   2005-03-04 15:37

here I am again...sorry GBK [tongue]

I have been talking to my friends (and adult family members) and have some things to say- not necessarilly my opinion- just throwing them out there:

One of two (or maybe 3...) things can happen if you hold a kid like this back (as in, keeping her in the "proper" grade):
1. She'll exceed the material so much in knowledge that she'll become bored with it and fail, because she is not being challanged enough (I have seen at least one case of this- it is rather sad)
2. She'll pass with flying colors, yet be bored
3. Insert any other option here- I can't think of anything :)

therefore, for her sake, it might be best that she has moved up in her schooling (morally reprhensible or not), because boredom may consume her life because I know that when I am not challanged, I become bored, and a lot of times get bad grades in classes I can whiz through, and people think I am stupid, or incapable, because of it.

My mother (and close friend as well) agrees with me on my point that she may not be mature enough to deal with adults all the time. Maybe I phrased that wrong. I know people will probably have something to pick on about this post.

just trying to understand both sides, that's all.

-Lindsie



 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Shorthand 
Date:   2005-03-04 17:57

3. Actually gifted-talented kids are a suicide risk.
3b. Not develop any (or develop few) social relationships because he or she can't find anyone to relate to in normal school. Its important to find someone that shares your passions.

I have most definitely experienced "1."

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2005-03-04 18:51

Boy did I miss a lot.

Quote:

The bottom line is that some individuals want sucessful people to fail for reasons of jealousy and insecurity in what they are/do. Just give these two talented kids their props and quit trying to compete with them.
I for one, am EXTREMELY jealous. I always wondered how I would have done if I was given the same opportunities as some of these people. Julian Bliss had full support of his parents, they bought him some great instruments, they pay for two lessons a week (last I heard he was studying with Sabine Meyer), etc. etc. I myself was pushed away from music and it's been a self-study thing. I always wondered if I would have done more if I had been given the opportunities that these younger stars were given, when they were given it. But I can't change it so I can only try to do what I can from here and accept that they are phenominally better than I am at this stage in the game.
Quote:

I can understand the whole "being pushed" business. My mother has been trying to push me away from music for eight years now. She doesn't think that it's a useful field. But this fall I will be the first person from my family to take up music as a career--at the same time I become the first person to start out in a bachelor's degree program.
hehe. Sounds pretty much like my experience so far (so at least be comforted in the fact that there's at least ONE other person in the same situation!). Except I continually get chastised by the parents because I'm taking too long to get through college. But my retort is now, "Hey. Whenever you decide to help me pay for college, then you can decide what I study and how long it takes for me to get through it. As long as I'm putting MY money into it, leave me be."

MIL,

That last post of yours (with the #'s 1 through 3) seems about right to me based on stuff that I've seen in my high school and college environments.


Alexi

US Army Japan Band

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Carmen 
Date:   2005-03-05 06:01

This is by far the most disgusting topic I have seen on this board. To publicly discuss and predict this young woman's future is something I would expect in a High School locker Room. I think it is good to know that their are such talented and well-rounded teens out there devoting intense time to science and to music. The topic of this might be a bit zealous, but to dive in as you do is disgusting.

***...so do all who seen such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you can do is decide what to do with the time that is given to you.***

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: mkybrain 
Date:   2005-03-15 21:03

....cool

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: JessKateDD 
Date:   2005-03-16 04:34

Interesting topic. As a former child prodigy, I can attest that it is really a tough way to grow up. The problem with being a prodigy is that expectations tend to get out of hand. When you do not fulfill others' expectations, you become a disappointment in their eyes. Succeeding can be almost worse - Mozart was arguably the greatest musician in history, but he also lived a tragic life. Bobby Fischer is another example of a "successful" prodigy.

Sometimes having a normal, ordinary life can be an advantage. Einstein was a B student, not very good at math, and was working at a post office when he wrote the theory of relativity.

Although I do not find this the most disgusting thread I've ever read, I'm happy to not speculate on these young peoples' futures. If they can make it to adulthood and live normal lives, I'll consider them successes.

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: bawa 
Date:   2005-03-16 10:40

JessKateDD,

Liked your post.

No comment on the post about this being the "most disgusting" thread.

I personally thought that several very valuable insights have been offered from all sorts of angles, by people who have been in different parts of this equation.

sfalexi,
you sound like a great person (fprm your posts), keep hard at it, (even if you are missing out on the Meyer classes ¡sigh!)



Post Edited (2005-03-16 10:41)

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2005-03-16 10:44

JessKateDD wrote:

> Mozart was arguably the greatest musician in history, but he
> also lived a tragic life.

Maybe I can't remember those parts, but aside from dying young, what was the tragedy?

And of course, I'm dying of curiousity - in what area were you considered a child prodigy?

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: JessKateDD 
Date:   2005-03-19 02:47

I was a chess prodigy - started playing at 4 and won my first tournament at 7. I was nationally ranked at 11. At 13 I entered my last tournament (which I won :-)) and have played very little since. I just burned out, which I believe is a healthy response to an unhealthy obsession.

As for what happens to some prodigies, I just read this story today.

www.heraldsun.com/firstnews/37-588097.html

Very sad

 
 Re: Clarinet Prodigy who will change the world
Author: psychotic lil clarinet girl (don't as 
Date:   2005-03-19 15:47

>As for what happens to some prodigies, I just read this story today.
>
>www.heraldsun.com/firstnews/37-588097.html
>
>Very sad

Wow... that is really sad... Maybe he just had an overload of expectations. Whatever the case, it's sad...



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