Benjamin Zander on music and passion | Video on TED.com
I know I probably shouldn't follow one TED post with another, but this one is astounding. I discovered it before I started blogging and would like to post it on my blog now, while I'm thinking of it. I'll simply let it speak for itself.
This is one of my all time favorite videos. And I agree with him 100%! It has made me wonder if it would be possible to find ways to educate JH and HS band audiences about the mechanics of music outside of performances. Granted, parents usually get the basic demonstrations at their kid's first concert, but they usually learn more about the instruments than the music. It's a start. But what if there were a way for an enthusiastic teacher/conductor to educate the band's followers? Imagine the possibilities! The question, of course, is how. After all, while I think the way Symphonies do this is great, I don't know that it would necessarily work for HS bands, even if they have won a Grammy and have performed on the most prestigious of festivals and stages. Any thoughts on this?
Personally, I think it would be interesting to see a resurgence in the tradition of the pre-concert lecture. Many conductors don't want to take the time to give a lecture over the repertoire, or if they do it's terribly dry and boring and no want actually wants to go listen to it. While we don't all have the charisma of, say, Pat Sheridan (who is an excellent speaker in addition to his performing abilities), I think we owe it to the audience to offer them something more than our rear ends and the playing of the pieces. They're paying for all those trips the kids are going on!
Granted, this is significantly more difficult when you're leading a Jr. High group who's repertoire doesn't have much to be said about it, often times. At that level, it becomes a problem I hadn't considered, but will certainly give it some thought!
As this is a professional and educational blog, I ask all comments be clean and 'G' rated. Any comments not meeting these criteria are subject to deletion.
This is one of my all time favorite videos. And I agree with him 100%! It has made me wonder if it would be possible to find ways to educate JH and HS band audiences about the mechanics of music outside of performances. Granted, parents usually get the basic demonstrations at their kid's first concert, but they usually learn more about the instruments than the music. It's a start. But what if there were a way for an enthusiastic teacher/conductor to educate the band's followers? Imagine the possibilities! The question, of course, is how. After all, while I think the way Symphonies do this is great, I don't know that it would necessarily work for HS bands, even if they have won a Grammy and have performed on the most prestigious of festivals and stages. Any thoughts on this?
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think it would be interesting to see a resurgence in the tradition of the pre-concert lecture. Many conductors don't want to take the time to give a lecture over the repertoire, or if they do it's terribly dry and boring and no want actually wants to go listen to it. While we don't all have the charisma of, say, Pat Sheridan (who is an excellent speaker in addition to his performing abilities), I think we owe it to the audience to offer them something more than our rear ends and the playing of the pieces. They're paying for all those trips the kids are going on!
ReplyDeleteGranted, this is significantly more difficult when you're leading a Jr. High group who's repertoire doesn't have much to be said about it, often times. At that level, it becomes a problem I hadn't considered, but will certainly give it some thought!