 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: steve
Date: 2000-05-09 18:58
here's a new thread....tell a story about a music teacher who taught you something that has followed you all through your life...be it a neat high G fingering, a survival technique...anything...
here's mine.
The Director of Bands at Northwestern University was an imposing, uncompromising, powerful musician who inspired fanatic loyalty among many, and put off a few who couldn't see things his way.
I once asked him what a career as a band director was like, in a general sense. He said nothing about music.
He spoke about inspiring young people to perform better than they thought possible, earning respect from students and peers by hard work and adherence to uncompromising standards of excellence, the fact that all people deserved respect by birthright but it had to be earned every day, never ridiculing anyone for any reason, maintaing a sense of humor, taking other people very seriously but never yourself, and being generous with your time.
It occurred to me that what he told me can apply to any teaching situation, and in a way, most situations are.
I played for JPP from 1972-76 in symphonic and marching bands, and one year had the privilege to be solo clarinet.
He passed away recently, and several tens of thousands of people and I were heartbroken.
s.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2000-05-09 21:38
The music teacher I will most treasure is my grade 9 music teacher, who I still am in touch with.She taught me to seriously think carefully about the traditional music curriculum (ie: band and orchestra instruments) versus what a new music curriculum should be. (focussed on music technology). She taught me to be a musical explorer--in the case of the clarinet, that means things such as discovering other (rarely-listed) fingerings. She taught me to really listen to what I was playing and hearing. She taught me that anything you want require persistence.The interesting part is that she was an accordion (remember the "ON" to remember the correct spelling) and brass player.She taught me about quality work. She taught me more than music--she taught about life.
Another music teacher I treasure would have to be the conductor of our community band. I first met him when I was in grade 11, when he was one of the conductors in our all-city wind symphony. I was only there for one year, but I remember how I ended up developing a relationship. I was doing a run-through of a study for my mid-term music playing exam during the break of one of our rehearsals, when I thought no-one was paying attention. Well, it turned out someone was--him. Then he asks me how long I had been playing and whether I have had private lessons. The answer to the first question was five years and to the second, no.I can still remember the expression he had of shock--he thought I played it extremely well. Then he talks me into getting a better mouthpiece and using a harder reed,as well as explaining why. He did more for my clarinet technique than anything, especially with the type of warmup exercises he would have us do before even picking up our instrument.But the following year, I left his group to play in the all-city orchestra, (although that was partly his recommendation)and I played there for two years. (because Ontario has a Grade 13 level). We hardly communicated for the next two years, by any means. Then in late August, just before I was to enter university, he tells me about a student who had a professional-level instrument for sale, at a great price, and he had already tested, and to ask me if I was able to play in his band. I wasn't able to play in his band until the second half of my second year, because I either had a class that ran until 7:00 pm Mondays, or started at 7:00 pm. January of second year, he was so happy to see me again. (well, I did run into him once between that period, at the bank...pure coincidence, though)But we talk about more than music on the way home (he lives 10 minutes away from me, but, as he jokes, if the street I live cut fully to the major intersection he lived on (there are two separate sections), I would be only two to three minutes away) Now, we're good friends.
I've gone on too long. Time to give someone else a turn.
Meri
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Author: Amber
Date: 2000-05-09 23:03
I probably shouldn't write anything since I am only a junior in H.S. But the teacher I have now is soo incredible! I can;t believe there are teachers better then him out there.
I came into my freshmen year really scared and not sure if I was doing the right thing. But he was there for me, and all 239 of us in the band. He gave me a reall appreciation for music and made me really Understand it.
He didn't push me to do solos and is really supportive of me havnig stage fright and being too sick to play as much as I should. He never made me feel pressure to put my school second, he said music would always be there waiting for me when I could give it the time it deserved.
He was always very honest with me and was sure to give good with the bad. I could go on forever. He is such a huge impact on hundreds of lives, but some of the people he gets, it is too late for even him to save and give a love for music. He is the one who inspired me to teach music. But I want to start younger, at the elementry level where I can give them a better start than I had.
After hearing him play (and what an awesome player he is), I asked him about colleges I had heard about, and he stopped playing, took time out of his incredily busy schedule and talked with me for over an hour!
This really is a great man. When he came to my school ten years ago, he single handedly turned it into one of the best high Schools in CA. I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. I could fill pages and pages of all he has done. But these are the ones who stand out my mind. Thanks for letting me share! I know it took awhile...I am going to stop now, I promise!:o)
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Author: Michael Kincaid
Date: 2000-05-09 23:26
Mrs. White at Fondren Junior High (Houston) gave me my first lessons on the clarinet when I was 12. A lot of kids thought she was tough, but I loved every minute of band.
Because of her I kept wonderful memories of playing that led me to start again at age 40. Thanks Mrs. White. Michael
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Author: Kontragirl
Date: 2000-05-10 00:42
I shouldn't be talking either, I AM just a sophomore, but I have had the best luck ever with music teachers, so I want to write a little bit about all of them.
My fifth grade band teacher was really supportive of me and an all around nice person. She let me play a solo at my very first concert ever, it sounds petty, but I was in 5th grade, and it was a HARD solo for being my age! (Angel of Music from the Phantom of the Opera)
I had a wonderful band teacher all through middle school. He knew I was best of the best, and I made a stupid mistake on my audition (I didn't know two octaves was up AND down) he told me to challenge every one because I was better than all of them. He also helped me a lot with preparing my first formal audition for music camp, and just did a lot of individual work with me, and I really did, and do appreciate all of the time he put in with me.
Last year I had the coolest band director. He let us call him by his first name (which is really relieving for a freshman on the first day of school). He's the one who told me I would do well on contra (and he was right!) And he would always brag about me. He retired, but he visited my school and was talking to a former student. I came into get my instrument, and he remembered me! And then he bragged about me!
My new director is great in a different way. He challenges me everyday, and doesn't ask me to do something, he tells me. It's not, "Are you trying out for All-State next year?" it's "You're going to be the contra in the All-State band next year." And he puts up with my whining about long tones, which is really great.
I can't leave out my private tutor! One time I went to a lesson with my clarinet, when she told me I was a waste on a low horn. We have this clarinet player that every body assumes will always be first chair, she told me I could beat him hands down, all I had to do was believe in myself and practice!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-05-10 01:58
Just remember, many of you who are still in high school, to remain humble. You don't really know how good people are in other places. Judging your talent from an "all-State" competition may not be a complete picture. Some of the finest HS clarinet players do not enter the competitions - they're not interested in competing in a state competition; rather, they're gettiong ready for their college auditions. I saw it last year when I went to a number of college auditions with my son - some of the players were a bit shook up when they heard some of the "unknowns".
It's fine to be proud of your skill, but don't let it swell your head.
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Author: Kontragirl
Date: 2000-05-10 02:06
I know....I sounded really conceited...I'm sorry. I know I'm not the best clarinet player in the world. The point I was trying to get across was that all of my teachers really believe in me and have helped me get as far as I am today.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-05-10 03:00
Kontragirl - my remarks were not aimed at you specifically. I didn't mean to single anyone out at all, just to make an observation in general. All of you - be happy with your accomplishments!
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Author: Nicole Y.
Date: 2000-05-10 13:31
The one before this one. He was amazing. He loved to play. He could play everything! He actually cared. The music moved...and it seemed like he could make the dullest piece of music interesting. I find myself imitating his conducting style...and wish that he was back...and wish that I had a decent director now.
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Author: steve
Date: 2000-05-10 13:39
mark's got a point....I wasn't referring to stories about a teacher that made you feel good...here's another story....
As a high school student, I studied with a very prominent Cleveland area clarinetist. My cousin played in the Cleveland Orchestra, and arranged a lesson for me with Mr Marcellus. My regular teacher said it's ok to take a few lessons with him, "just make sure you're at least as well prepared for him as you are for me."
I spoke with Mr Marcellus over the phone, and he told me to prepare two rose etudes and the third movement of the Mozart. I showed up to the lesson, terrified, and played poorly. He made many helpful suggestions, patiently corrected some problems, and the lesson was over.
He then said want another lesson? I nodded. He then said..."no wonder you were nervous"...and then in a very quiet voice, he said, "when I assign something, it comes in here played perfectly. 100%...get it?????"
I drove home in tears, because I knew he was right....I didn't give it my all....we had consultation lessons every few weeks for a year, then, when he came to NU, we had a couple of more...I never forgot that first lesson.
certain things in life have to be done as perfectly as possible...at 100% committment....if you want to learn anything....
among many other fine teachers, Mr Marcellus taught me that before you can fly and sing, ya gotta play what's exactly on the page the way he wants it!!!! good thought....
s.
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Author: paul
Date: 2000-05-10 22:21
My tutor has gnarled hands from the ravages of arthritis. Time is not his friend any more. His family knows that his clarinet always has been and will always be his best friend.
He defined the word patience to me. He could play that horn like no one else in town and like few in my entire State can. He's a stickler for perfection, but that's tempered to the student's ability and level of understanding. Balance in music as well as in life were and still are key points in his lessons.
He is a great man of peace who personally experienced some of the most shocking and gruesome Pacific island battles as a Marine in WWII. A true music performance professional who still teaches fellow professionals and amateurs alike. He taught me more about music and the clarinet in 2 years than I had seen in my entire lifetime. He taught me a lot about life and how to survive as a professional in any field. Now, that's a lesson well worth paying for.
He has ravaged hands that are permanently set in the proper position to play the clarinet, yet retaining the finely controlled power to play that horn exquisitely well, and patiently bend and tweak any horn into perfection. I guess this phrase applies very well to him and his music: controlled power. A powerful man indeed.
Like an ordinary small private aircraft pilot giving his "wings" badge to a very highly respected ace fighter pilot, Mr. C.S., I owe my best reed to you.
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Author: Sara
Date: 2000-05-11 02:53
Well, so far I've had a couple of memerable experiences in my all of about three years of playing. i'm a 10th grader and I'm one of those players who doesn't really like to go to auditions and things like that. I go because at the high school I go to, you are basically a nobody unless you make region ar all state. When I complianed about going this year my band director(whom is one of the greatest people I know) told me this: Why should you hide your talent and deprive the world from your abilities. I think he told me this, because according to him I have absolutely no confidence in my own abilities. Oh and my private teacher has this thing about me, he says that the only way I'm going to go all the way Is if I think I can and thats all their is to it. People are always asking whos your private teacher and there listening for one of those teachers that all the so called best-players use Then I tell them its Mike they're surprised that a college junior can get a third year student to perform the Mozart concerto and the Weber Concertino. That would be my great music teacher story. But it may not be complete, hopefully I've just begun my experiences and I'll have more stories to tell 20 years down the line, like some of you guys!
Sara
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-05-11 03:27
My most treasured music teacher is one I've never formally met.
I didn't start listening to classical music until maybe 9 or 10 years ago. I was flipping through stations on the car radio and started listening to some very interesting music (Gorecki, with Dawn Upshaw singing). The announcer came on afterwards and talked about the music. He had a great announcing voice, a non-condescending attitude, and could talk about the music and explain things in a way that didn't require 4 years of intensive study. He got me hooked on listening to classical (and some avant-garde) music in a new way. I started appreciating good music.
The station, unfortunately (WQRS, Detroit) is no longer, and I miss the great voice of Dave Wagner and his great jokes (WQRS had a great bunch of announcers, but Dave was my favorite. WQRS had been bought & sold a lot in its last few years, so the announcers put up a sign in the boardroom of the station: "Honk if you've owned WQRS" :^) They all were unpretentious folk!
When my oldest son was thinking about a musical career who did I ask for advice? Dave, of course. I emailed him at the radio station. That's when I found out he had a doctorate in music (history and organ performance) - but was an announcer because he could make a better living at it. His advice "Don't! But, if you do, make sure you really love it and realize that you most probably will be making sacrifices in material goods." He loved his announcing job at the station; he felt he had the best of all worlds. But, when it ended, he thanked everyone and went on - not depressed, but happy he could contribute just a little to everyone's education.
I located Dave recently and have been corresponding with him via email. He's my "unpaid consultant" on the <A href=http://sounds2you.com>http://Sounds2You.Com</a> venture I have. I owe him a few lunches! We'll meet face to face soon, and I'm really looking forward to it.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-05-11 05:43
My hats off to Mr. Womack, a retired Navy bandsman who took a bunch of ragtag middle schoolers in the 60s and made them learn and play with pride and skill. His work with the clarinets and flutes afterschool on intonation and tuning paid off for us in our first competition. We won first over all the Houston middle schools. We scored WAY over the second and third place schools. The judges stated the woodwinds were the best they ever heard in school competition. I can still play a metal clarinet (except a Pan Am), in tune to this day because of the ear training I recieved from this man. I guess since he played slide trombone for 25 years, he had a good ear himself.
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Author: Kylene
Date: 2000-05-12 05:20
I have lots and lots of stories about my music teacher...he is a great guy, and I am still good friends with him. One of my favorites is the night he was teaching me the fingering for altissimo f# (the one you use your middle finger lh for) and I was having a heck of a time making the note pop out. He knew I was hating every second of the lesson, and that I had to know it for my band "test" in school the next morning. Finally he just told me "pretend you are flicking off Mrs "x" (my HS band director) with that finger, and blow as hard as you want to scream at her." The note came out, and I have been able to make it speak ever since then.
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Author: Laur
Date: 2000-05-14 02:02
I'm only a sophomore in High School, so along with my other buddies, i'm not exactally sure if I should be writing this now. However, I cannot let it go un noticed.
I know everyone keeps giving the whole " My director's this he's that etc.." But mine is different. Yeah, in my eyes he's perfect. But ya know what - he isn't, he's just a regular guy who found his nitch in life - as luck may have it, It was music.
Last year, I hated him.. absolutly positivly hated him. I refused to listen, refused to do this nor that. Most of all thou I refused to get to know him, refused to give him a change.
I don't know why but this year, things just clicked. I think so highly of him, that I don't know what I'm going to do next year. Literally, I'm lost without him.
I entered High School, as a shy timid freshman. Today, I am soo different. He has taught me to open up, to be myself, and to have trust in people. I trust my director more then anything. He has taught me how to excel at music, how to have paitence, and how to stay calm, focused. When I am upset, he's the first person there for me. The first person to offer a hug, advice or just an ear. I will never forget the special little moments that we share. I think the one piece of advice that I will always remember is the one he told me last week. I was upset over something, and he just looked me straight in the eye and said "Laur, Everything in life happens for a reason. In the end, it's going to be okay ". And, it was. He has taught me to never give up. To take one day at a time.. and that along the way, it's okay to ask for help. He has never lost faith in me. He always believed in me.
I don't know.. but, I tresure him soo much. and I can never thank him enough. Without him, i am nothing, but ... I am truly everything
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Author: Nicole
Date: 2000-05-14 20:34
The mean green marching machine will never be the same without their master's dream,
He stood tall and proud and always screamed out-loud
but never let down a parade crowd,
The twinkle in his eyes and endless nights survived would prove his radiant soul was alive,
At age 57 this man retired and left his inspired to lead on with his glory and now while playing for weddings or special occasions the cadences beat and he lifts up his feet for nothing can keep him from his life on the street- and people are amazed that he can play five instruments, one after another with equal ability and love and he prays his band is still with him.
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