Saturday, November 24, 2012

Minor fixes for a successful performance

Many musicians spend hundreds of hours preparing for a concert by focusing only on the technical execution of the notes. However, there is much more to putting on a concert than the music alone. Here are a few minor items musicians overlook. These take only a few minutes to fix, yet will make a huge difference in the quality of the performance.

1.    Is the stage ready? I have seen performances in which instrument cases are piled up behind the performers and even trash visible on the far corners by the curtains. I know a fine clarinetist that uses an elegant cut crystal wine goblet by his seat to soak his reeds. Compare this to the red plastic solo cups I see onstage from time to time.

2.    Are your shoes shined? Stages tend to raise the level of performers feet to eye level. Nobody in the audience wants to be distracted by shoes that even GoodWill wouldn't claim.

3.    One easy fix could be ironed out with...... well.... an iron. Wrinkled clothes that look you like you slept in them are distracting and sends a message to the audience that you didn't put enough thought into their entertainment experience.

4.     A concert is a dialogue between the musician and the audience. After a song is over, do you take time to acknowledge the applause? If your listeners are really moved by your musical rendition, then give them a chance to express to you how much they enjoyed it. Smile directly at them to let them know that you appreciate their attentiveness. Have you ever noticed a performer totally ignore the applause to start scrambling around the music stand, racing to get the next song up as soon as possible. It appears as if the musician is conveying a message to the audience that they want this concert to be done as soon as possible and won't be bothered with such trifle delays as waiting for the applause. 

5.     Take a minute before playing a piece to talk about it to the audience. Let them in to your thought process as to why you chose this particular piece and what it means to you. A little history about a song enhances then listeners appreciation of the piece and endears them to you. You are more than the music. Let them know that both you and the music are worth getting to know better. Injecting a little humor also eases the concert jitters and audience tension as well.

6.    Are you showing the listeners that you are enjoying yourself are really want to be there? If you look aloof and disinterested, why in the world would the audience be inclined to stay. if you can convey to them that this evening is going to be special, you have already won half the battle between you and what is available on TV that night. When I tell an audience that I can't wait for them to experience this next piece, I really mean it.

7.     When the event is concluded, hang around the lobby for a few minutes to give the listeners a chance to tell you in person that they had a great time. After all, isn't that part of the reason you became a musician in the first place?

good gigging!

Larry Marra
www.musicteachers911.com

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Keyboard cheat sheet

When playing with smaller groups, I find that I need to change the keyboard instrument tones quite often to insure that the combo keeps a fresh and interesting sound palette. The only problem is trying to remember all of the patch numbers of my favorite sounds.

I took a technique that I saw in the 60s and 70s when marking which instrument tracks were recorded on two inch magnetic tape recording studio mixing boards.The engineer attached a strip of one-inch medical adhesive tape and used a sharpie pen to write down what instruments were recorded at the base of the boards track numbers. Of course now with digital recorders, one need just double click the track number and overwrite it with the instrument name.

So what happens if I need to change the voice selection list? A Mr. Clean Magic Erasure is a quick and easy way to remove the tape glue residue.

Good Gigging!

Larry Marra
www.musicteachers911.com

Monday, October 1, 2012

Who's number #1

I get this question all the time...

Who is the most important member of the band?

Is it the drummer who sets the tempo ? nope....

How about the bass. still no....

Lead trumpet? (They would like to think so)....

Band leader? OH HEAVENS NO! Some bands perform better without one.

Give up? It's the sound engineer! (no kidding)

Case in point....

I was playing keyboard Saturday in the house band for our local Christian Radio Station live feed at our County Chocolate festival . This annual event is really neat. Churches set up booths at the County Fairgrounds to pass out free chocolate to kids and literature about their churches youth programs to parents. They had a "bounce House", lots free skill games, and even an appearance by "Willie Wonka".










A good sound engineer is invaluable as the sound of all the instruments must blend together to make a pleasing impression especially over the radio. Fortunately, this station employs the best sound techs I have ever met! I plugged my keyboard into a direct box and then set the volume to 50%. The techs placed a monitor right by my left foot (pictured) and used the keyboard stand to angle the speaker directly at my ears. I heard every instrument perfectly balanced and felt as if I was listening to a professionally mixed CD track of the band.



Just one week earlier, I was the host of the Area's Annual outdoor Guitarfest. For this event I am the host that introduces and interviews the guitarists at a rather large park with a band shell. For this event, the coordinator uses a volunteer sound tech that happens to own a tone of PA equipment in which he has no idea how to run.

Most of the time my mic wasn't hot and every song was riddled with squealing feedback.

Long day!



So... The next time you attend an event which uses a qualified and skilled sound tech, please make a point to approach and let them know that your enjoyable experience was because they are the most important member of the band.

Good Giging!

Larry Marra
www.musicteachers911.com

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

ENOUGH ALREADY!

Before one of my big bands were getting ready to perform onstage at our local county fair, I was playing a Bb on my keyboard for all the horn players to tune. After they had the pitch securely in their ear, I then attempted to play a G so that the bass player could tune the highest open bass string. Most bass players want a G to tune so that they can tune the lower strings from this.

Well, the horn players then started to loudly play all kinds of runs, scales and arpeggios to warm up their embouchure. The problem increased exponentially as they just wouldn't stop. With less than a minute before the downbeat, the bass player glared at me with such a desperate look of frustration.
It was a very hot day and his bass was way out of tune due to the expansion of the strings from the hot temperature.

I stood up, waved my arms at the horns and and shouted.....

ENOUGH ALREADY!

They shot me such astounded looks as I sat back down and calmly played the bass tuning note. The bassist was a real pro, so it only took a few seconds to get the other strings tuned up.

TIP:

Just because you are tuned up and ready to go, doesn't mean that the other musicians are. Remember that you are part of a team. Team players help and respect each other.

The horns were all seasoned players, butt the size of the crowd and desire to perform well clouded their focus.

I guess ti just goes to show that we are all never too old to learn.

Good Gigging,

Larry Marra
www.musicteachers911.com

Sunday, August 26, 2012

I'll be ready for you next time!

This one took me by surprise!

Last Saturday evening I was sitting in on keys with a newly formed 18 piece swing band. This band is priding itself on playing modern songs in the traditional 1940s swing era style. I must say that; despite the arrangement's being so technically difficult, they were simply fantastic!

We were playing for a very large festival venue, so the age of the crowd was as varied as you can get. I was familiar with some of the newer pop tunes from overhearing my daughters, KIDS BOP® CDs at her pool parties, I had to admit that these guys are really on to something!

My total surprise was just how much of the new stuff called for sight reading some really tough piano parts. Although the band thought I did a great job, I wasn't impressed with my sight reading abilities as I could have been.

The bright side of this situation is that I hand the answer right in the palm of my hand (no really, I'm meaning quite literally).

After any tume that I thought I could have played better, I whipped out my smart phone and took a picture of the tricky parts of the sheet music. I did this on stage while the other band members were getting out the new chart. I must have taken a few dozen photos!

Unfortunately, I can't go back in time and replay all the klinkers after a reasonable amount of rehearsal preparation. What I can do though, is to print out the pictures of the solos and make a book for me to run through just before I perform with them again.

I also decided to dust off my Back inventions, Chopin preludes, and Beethoven piano  sonatas to get my sight reading up and running again.

One last point........

Even when I was frantically struggling to keep up with those flurry of notes zooming by, I portrayed a pleasant disposition and acted like I nailed every passage. Never let them see you sweat!

The good news is that:

 I'll be ready for you next time!

good gigging,


Larry Marra
www.musicteachers911.com


Friday, August 17, 2012

Music and Mayhem Don’t Mix

Submitted by featured writer Lily McCann

Here’s a list of people who have died of drug related causes. And another, of people who have died of alcohol related causes. Look down those lists and see how many of them are musicians.

This sobering exercise will demonstrate just how dangerous drugs and alcohol addiction are, particularly it would seem to those in the music industry, which is over-represented in this particularly unwelcome category. Names such as Chet Baker, Jim Morrison, Elvis and Hank Williams are familiar to us as musicians who have died through drug or alcohol use.  But the sheer number of musicians on the lists is shocking. Sonny Clark – jazz pianist; Bix Beiderbeck – jazz legend; Janis Joplin – trailblazer; Jimi Hendrix – innovator; Amy Winehouse – deep contralto jazz singer… the list rolls on and on. All of these musicians were great in their own very different ways. Each contributed to the world of music, and spread happiness through their musical talent. Each was cut off before their time.

Drug Dangers

In the world of music, whether popular or classical, there will always be drug and alcohol temptations. What is it about musicians that makes them vulnerable to this sort of influence? In the world of rock and roll drugs have always been associated with rebellion, glamour and success. This remains the case. But the tragic recent death of gifted, award-winning singer Amy Winehouse, who had fallen victim to severe alcohol and drug addiction, should be a lesson to all those who think it is possible to control drug use. Despite many months of treatment, a supportive family, giving up her career for months on end and moving home, Amy still could not conquer her alcohol addiction. She had done well to beat her heroin addiction, and was preparing for a comeback, when she suffered an alcohol induced seizure and died in her London home, aged just 27.  What are we to make of this senseless loss, and how can this sort of tragedy be prevented?

Drugs and Alcohol Aren’t Glamorous

One association in the minds of an impressionable young musician looking to their heroes as role models, is the equation of drug use with rebellion and glamour. The reality of drug use is, in fact far from glamorous. We all know about ‘addiction’. It’s what celebrities get, and then recover and do well, or don’t, and die. The word is so common that it’s easy to lose sight of the physical pain and suffering that true addiction causes. It is only through education that the association between glamour, celebrity and addiction can be broken. Reading an account of heroin withdrawal is a good place to start. Aching limbs, severe stomach cramps, jittery nerves, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, sweating, neck pain, loss of appetite. Drug addiction is simply a terrible path to choose, and a million miles away from the joyous freedom we associate with making beautiful music. Music has the power to transcend the physical world and lift the spirit onto a higher level. When the body of a musician is trapped on in the physical world of pain and addiction, how can he be a great musician? The answer is that the addiction usually destroys the musical gift long before its time.

The Creative Spirit

The list of musicians who have died of drug and alcohol addiction is inhabited by many other creative minds. Perhaps the greater sensitivity of those with an artistic gift makes then particularly vulnerable to the dangers of drugs and alcohol addiction. There are very few famous scientists on the list, or engineers, for example. They are perhaps happier choosing smoking as their addiction, and the risk of cancer related deaths. Chantix prices are affordable, and they have plenty of time to make the choice to quit. Those grounded in the practical every day activities perhaps don’t aspire to escape in quite the same way, or seek higher inspiration which so many artists claim to long for when taking drugs. Writers, musicians, composers, actresses – those who work with the imagination and possess a creative nature seem indeed to be more likely to die early from drug and drink related causes. This is further reason for vigilance amongst young aspiring musicians. By all means emulate your musical heroes, but don’t make the same mistakes they made. Their gifts were there with or without drugs and alcohol, and in the end were destroyed by those things. How many more years of happiness could they have had for themselves and given to the rest of the world, without their untimely deaths? Drugs never made a single one of them a better musician, whatever they may have believed. Drugs just prevented them remaining alive to be the best they already were.



A few images of musicians who have died prematurely through drink or drugs:

Amy Winehouse

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Amy_Winehouse_f4962007_crop.jpg/419px-Amy_Winehouse_f4962007_crop.jpg



Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky – Russian composer
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Mussorgsky_Repin.jpg/170px-Mussorgsky_Repin.jpg



Leon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke Leon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Bix_Beiderbecke_cropped.jpg/200px-Bix_Beiderbecke_cropped.jpg


Monday, August 13, 2012

Piano Summer Games 2012

I'm very excited to share with you our new title, Piano Summer Games, a new Olympic themed music-ed app that lets any child learn to play the national anthems of countries in the Olympics, and then represent her country competing in the world's first global piano competition app.

The price - Free.
Here's a short trailer - http://youtu.be/5BkVZJ6We68

Piano Summer Games let's anybody (no musical background needed) learn to play the national anthems for countries in the Olympics using an on-screen touch piano or his own home piano or keyboard. He can then compete against people all over the world on the best performance and win medals (gold, silver and bronze) that are added to his country's medal ranking. Just today, America's users have gotten the US to the 3rd place worldwide! (live medal count feed is always available HERE)

Available for free for iPhone/iPad users.

App URL - http://itunes.apple.com/app/id540759434

Best wishes,
Yoni Tsafir

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Get the Lead Out!!!

I have a personal friend and amazing guitarist, Greg Jones, who just landed a position as Praise Band Music Director of a local Methodist church. He called to ask if I would play keys this Sunday for his first Contemporary Christian service.

Rehearsal was Friday night.

I was so excited to find a beautiful (and tuned!) grand piano and very nice digital keyboard already plugged into the sound board and ready to go.

The first song was very funky and reminded my of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition", so I dialed up the clavinet patch and started dancing on the keys.

Well, it came to pass in the process of time that I learned that there were no less than six key modulations in the course of the song.

Most of the band are very sweet and well meaning non-musicians who were not picking up on Greg's key change cues.

The music ground to a halt as Greg started to explain where the changes should occur.

I was very surprised to find that I was the only one band member who brought a pencil to mark the editions on the sheet music.

Please remember that a sharpened  #2 pencil is a must when attending all rehearsals and performances.

Keep one in your case or gig bag.

good gigging!

Larry Marra
www.musicteachers911.com


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

An amp is a personal thing


from featured musicteachers911 writer and professional guitarist, Greg Jones.

 I recently rejected a friend’s offer for me to play my guitar through his keyboard amp for a gig. Like many people, he thought of a guitar amp as simply being a personal PA or home stereo system. A good stereo system for the most part, is designed to only replicate the sound recorded on the CD, MP3 or cassette (remember those?). However guitar amps are actually designed to color the tone. Different types of amps color the tone differently. In fact, you would probably not like the sound of a guitar going straight into a stereo system or PA.

Just as one might choose mahogany to build a dark sounding piano or maple to brighten up an acoustic guitar, an amp may be chosen based upon the tones the guitarist needs at his disposal. With guitar amps, there are basically three different categories of sound: American, British and Modern metal.

Fender amps represent the classic American clean tones you might hear in traditional blues and country. While these amps do some distortion as well, they typically produce more of a Texas Blues distortion as you might hear out of Stevie Ray Vaughn. On the British side, Vox amps have given us the jangly chime of the Beatles and U2, while Marshall drove the rock sounds that dominated the 70’s and 80’s with Led Zeppelin and Van Halen. Mesa Boogie (an American amp manufacturer) is one of the most popular builders of the modern hard rock/metal sound, although there are some European companies producing amps in this category like Engl and Bogner. These sounds can be found in music from Dream Theater, Korn and Nine Inch Nails among others.

Of note, I should point out the digital technology revolution is making its impact upon guitar amps as well. There are amps called digital modelers that are digitally emulating these amps. Arguably, digital modeling amps (and computers with digital modeling software) sound very close to the real thing in live situations and can fool even the most discriminating ears in the recording studio. The reason they are so convincing for recording is that the software they are using is modeling a real amp as recorded in a studio. The computer is modeling what the amp sounds like to the microphone. It is NOT modeling what the amp sounds like to our ears. These amps are very versatile, being able to produce virtually all of these sounds in one box (or computer).

So the bottom line is that an amplifier is more of an extension of the guitar as an instrument as opposed to merely something to make the instrument louder. The ‘coloring’ that an amp provides actually contributes to the overall sound of the guitar.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Weather or not, the show must go on!

Playing outside venues in the Midwest during the summer months has had it share of challenges. Lately though, it seems that Mother Nature has been extremely moody.

Last week I played an outside event for our local library during a 102* heat warning. The event was for children highlighting "animals in our neighborhood".

I had planned a variety of sing a long songs and a few activity ones as well to allow the kids to move and use motion in a fun and creative way.

Rational heads prevailed and the event was moved to an inside conference room. After a few tunes and freestyle dancing around a conference table, the kids asked to go outside!

Well, I agreed if they all took long drinks at the water fountain and we met under the old shady Oak in the back.


Opening the door to the outside instantly reminded me of checking if the pizza was done in my kitchen oven!

We all settled down under the tree and sang a few more songs. One rather slow and graceful song was about the swans in the park. One by one the kids started to yawn and stretch as the heat was acting like a big warm blanket. Several kids were asleep by the second verse.

We only stayed outside for the last ten minutes, but the parents and chaperons commented that the Oak tree songs were their favorite.

After the show, many parents carried their small children to the car as they were still in a very deep sleep. One Mom whispered, "Thank You, I can mever get him to take a nap!"

Good gigging,

Larry Marra
www.musicteachers911.com

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Let there be LIGHT!

You would think that after forty years of professional gigging, I wouldn't have seen this one coming.

I was recently hired to play the electric bass in the pit orchestra for the musical, "Singing in the rain".

They seated me with my back against the stage facing the director who was facing the stage to cue the actors. Afternoon rehearsals were great and I was actually enjoying the experience as the writing for this is very entertaining.  Kudos to the talented cast and directing.

So far so good, right?

As soon as the curtain went up on opening night. From the very back of the theater appeared a bright light from the 5000 watt follow spot behind the last row.

That's when everything for me went totally black.

The light as bright as the Sun was shining into my eyes against that darkened room.  I couldn't see the director, the music rack, or even my hand in front of my face.

As luck would have it, I keep a visor in my soft shell bass case for when I perform outside at festivals, fairs,  and other venues.

I reached for the case under my seat and felt around until I knew the visor was in my grasp.

Around measure 32, I re-entered the ensemble while wearing said visor, tilting my head so that the brim was blocking the spotlight but not the music. I never did see the director for the entire first act, creeping in at the every first measure until a steady tempo was established.

At intermission, I asked that  the spotlight be placed off center in the back.

Act two went much better.

Live and learn, I guess...

good gigging,

Larry Marra

www.musicteachers911.com






Saturday, March 17, 2012

Student performance will now make up 50 percent of teacher evaluations in Ohio

By Jill Kelley, Staff Writer (Dayton Daily Newspaper)

Student performance will now make up 50 percent of teacher evaluations in Ohio under a new law requiring school districts to adopt more extensive assessments.
This change, as mandated by the governor’s budget bill passed in June and set to go into effect next year, is part of a nationwide effort to maintain federal funding and improve classroom instruction.
“Many states that are looking at this right now, and a lot of them are tied to Race to the Top grants,” said Patrick Gallaway, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Education.
The remaining half of the evaluation will be based on a teacher’s growth.
“In other states, you might see that there’s just this sense of a call to action about how we help our students who are struggling academically,” Gallaway said.
Large-scale state budget cuts, an increasing shift to merit-based pay, greater focus on spending at every level, and federal Race to the Top grants requiring teacher evaluations that measure student improvement have all helped motivate legislators to develop new requirements.
At the same time, job security across the country has weakened, drawing attention to how teachers and other public employees are compensated.
In Ohio, this change in evaluations also is designed to prepare teachers and students for new academic content standards that will be implemented in 2014-15 and to create a uniformity across the state.
“Before, it was hard to say why one school district is struggling when another one isn’t, and some of that could have gone down to how districts are evaluating their teachers,” Gallaway said.
To develop and refine the evaluations, last year the ODE assembled 138 districts and community schools for a pilot program. Locally, Northmont, Beavercreek, Mad River, New Lebanon, Tipp City, Troy and Xenia school districts, as well as Dayton Early College Academy, are helping to craft the framework developed by the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System.
Student growth
Prior to the passage of House Bill 153, each Ohio district could adopt or develop its own evaluation system. Many used similar models with teacher performance criteria that will be used in the new evaluations, but there was no impetus to align the standards.
There also was no consistent or significant measure of student growth required in these evaluations, and how that will be measured is still being defined.
Since the student growth component will make up half of a teacher’s evaluation, local teachers and administrators have expressed concern about how to best measure it across subjects and grades.
Julia Simmerer, director of the ODE’s Office of Educator Standards, said growth would be determined by the value-added data from the state report card and other testing, and would be somewhat flexible within each school district.
Debbie Baker, director of curriculum, instruction and technology for Northmont City Schools, said she is in favor of the uniformity the new evaluations will bring, but the accuracy of the value-added data is a concern.
Value-added scores, implemented in 2003, chart whether districts have exceeded, met or not met expected growth on fourth- through eighth-grade math and reading tests as compared to the previous year.
“We’re not opposed to student growth figuring into our evaluations, but maybe we need a more proven system,” Baker said.
Kathy Harper, director of the ODE’s Office of Educator Equity and Talent, said she has confidence in the measure, but said it is just one aspect of that measure. “I also know that, year after year, as they get more and more data, it gets more reliable,” Harper said.
Time concern
Probably the biggest change for districts and schools will be the increased time needed to conduct these more intensive evaluations.
Teachers used to have smaller annual evaluations that could include one observation period, with more formal evaluations every two to five years. Instead, the new evaluations will be conducted annually and will include the student growth aspect and require multiple observations and conferences.
“We haven’t put it into dollar figures, but the new evaluations will take approximately three hours per person, annually,” said Deron Schwieterman, Beavercreek City Schools’ human resources director, noting that Beavercreek has 468 teachers. “I’m guessing now we probably spend an hour to an hour and a half per person, on average, each year for evaluations.”
New Lebanon Superintendent Barbara Curry agreed the time element will require adjustment.
“But, we’ve taken a proactive approach, and are reviewing building schedules and meeting schedules (to find time),” she said.
Classroom benefits
Even those with concerns about the new evaluations agreed that the new method will support teacher and student improvement.
“We have great optimism that this new evaluation will help us, and get great teachers recognized,” said Judy Hennessey, DECA superintendent. “And it will give us a more firm foundation to get teachers who are not effective removed.”
Centerville High School math teacher Brian Cayot, who also is president of the teachers’ union, said teachers want to make sure every student has a qualified, caring and committed teacher, and this system can help toward that end.
“All of us need to be held accountable: not just the teachers, but the parents, families, administrators, students,” he said. “Everybody has a stake in this.”
Key elements of Ohio teacher evaluation law

• Goes into effect in 2013-14 school year.
• Requires public schools to adopt a new teacher evaluation system, based 50 percent on teacher performance and 50 percent on teacher growth.
• Evaluates teachers annually, and includes two formal, 30-minute observation periods as well as periodic classroom walk-throughs.
• Allows teachers who are rated “accomplished” on their most recent evaluation to be evaluated every two years and districts to consider having top-rated teachers submit a portfolio in lieu of having a second classroom observation.
• Requires student growth to be measured by the value-added data, which applies to specific grades and subjects on the state report card; approved “vendor list,” or outside testing; and local measures, which would include testing before and after a student takes a specific class.
• Uses evaluations to determine whether to promote, retain or remove a teacher, and prohibits districts from considering seniority, except when deciding between teachers with comparable evaluations.
• Allocates financial resources to support professional development.
• Requires adoption by July 1, 2013 and implementation once current teacher contracts expire.

Friday, March 2, 2012

The Volunteer State

After I became successful at supporting myself by performing local venues, I felt that it was time to give back to the same community that enabled me to live quite comfortably by playing the music I love.

Every so often, I would inform my band-mates that this months rehearsal would be at a local nursing home cafeteria or children's hospital. After all, why let all that music go to waste rattling around my empty house when there are people desperate for an emotional lift.

Once in a while, I would come across a substitute musician that would inform me that they won't perform in public for less than a certain fee (around $100). I would thank them for their honesty, but promptly replace them. I can understand that they need to make a living, but one benefit public rehearsal wasn't going to bankrupt them.

It is important to recognize that talent shouldn't be squandered. I am grateful for the tools I was given and realize that those same tools go disappear just as easily.

So the next time your ensemble is planning a rehearsal, pick up the phone and find an appreciative audience for a truly heartwarming experience for all concerned.

good gigging!

Larry Marra
www.musicteachers911.com

Thursday, February 16, 2012

A new perspective on ensembles

Directors,

Here's a fun activity that gives everyone in your performance ensembles a new perspective.

Whenever I use a university student teacher or observer, I have them conduct my various ensembles while I grab an instrument and "sit in" the last chair of a section. This gives me a "student view" of both the podium and the rest of the group. It also keeps my playing "chops" up on all the instruments as well as sharpens my sight reading skills.

The kids love it (especially if I occasionally make a glaring mistake) as it humanizes me in their eyes. Lastly, it gives the university student a valuable perspective on what it will be like when they have their own ensembles.

One humorous aside is that I find out just how difficult it is to focus on the director and not talk to my favorite students next to me when in rehearsal.


good gigging and successful teaching!

Larry Marra
www.musicteachers911.com

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

What we would change about teaching music....

I asked a few music teaching friends to write down what the biggest challenges to their music teaching are.

Here is a smattering of the results.

feel free to add yours in the "Comments" section below.

Andrea Wilborn

Administrators who want a good and strong music education department, but have no clue how to achieve it.
Grade level teachers who want their class to perform something special for a program, but expect the music teacher to do all the work. (when you only see that class once a week for 45 minutes)
Parents who bring their child to school for an after school program, then leaves.
Parents who pick up their children late all the time. (30 minutes to 1 hour)
Hearing a child say, they can't practice at home because someone is looking at TV and they don't want to hear that noise.
Students who think that choir consist of singing nothing but songs they hear on the radio or their CD's.


Ernie

Being constantly referred to as an "extra curricular" subject when we know we are of extreme curricular importance to many if not most kids.

Administrators who equate the "size" of a school's band or orchestra or choir with how "good" the program is - as in: "we have a great band program, we have over a 100 kids in the marching band".

Getting music budgets cut, staffing cut, larger classes, less time for general music, etc. because we are "just" the music program, then being expected to provide the "entertainment" for sports, parent events, seasonal celebrations and concerts, etc. as if we were the most valued program at the school - i.e. when they need us to show off their good programs they hold us up but then cut our resources so we can no longer do the job well.

Cutting the "feeder" system for a band or orchestra or choir (e.g. eliminating elementary grade programs) then getting pressured because the high school program eventually suffers, and we music teachers get the blame.

Being relegated to holding general music classes on the stage behind a curtain while gym classes are making loud noises on the other side of the curtain (especially frequent in our older buildings).

Having really talented students be pulled from a solid music program experience because he/she is not talented in a "core" subject and has to take extra courses in order to pass those tests - i.e. take something away that a kid does really well and loves because he/she doesn't do well in another area - like a punishment.

Marina Salsbury

Students who don't practice their music

Students who miss lessons and don't inform teachers until the last minute

When students run out of necessary materials such as reeds, cleaning supplies, drumsticks, etc.

Not having adequate funding for legitimate resources such as working music stands, batons, etc.

Not having an outlet for exemplary students to showcase their talent (local honors bands, other teachers willing to teach private lessons)

Having to photocopy sheet music instead of buying them

Having ambitious students missing class because of class time constraints/sports events/etc.

Students who don't know how to get in tune with others/tune their own instruments

Overbearing parents who have to control their children's musical development

Close-minded students who are only interested in playing one form of music (pop, jazz, etc.)

Michelle

1. Students asking if it's OK if they don't play in class that day so that they can do homework for another class. Really?!? Do they play their violins in English or algebra? No way!

2. Students not putting instruments and music away proplery and then wondering why they can't find stuff the following day. Makes you wonder what their bedrooms at home look like.

3. The influx of students who aren't passing standardized tests for whatever reason: this is becoming hard to maintain music programs, especially in urban districts where students often have to take remedial or "prep" classes just to pass those tests. Several of my band and orchestra students were removed from my class just so that they can be placed in an OGT prep class for an entire year, even though the test is only in March and those students cannot come back to band or orchestra after the testing week is finished.

Mark Nekoba

1. We live in a world of great technology, yet it is not available to everyone due to budget constraints. It would be nice to be in class and be able to use a lot of the new computer programs.

2. Schools facing more and more pressure to improve their test scores at the expense of electives such as music.

3. Music students are often portrayed in movies as being the nerdy kids.

4. Instructional time is needed for core subjects.

Elaina Blevins

Fund Raising
Missing uniform parts just before a performance.
Papperwork, Paperwork, did I mention paperwork!

Barbara James

Being told that you need to provide music for an event with little or no notice.

You want me to do what? Tomorrow?

Yeah, just throw something together.

Wayne Markworth

1. Parents who have "perfect children"
2. Administrators who know "all about" music
3. 7th graders

Cissy Matthews

Students losing their music.
Parents and students forgetting the dates of the concert.
Principals and teachers thinking that music has no academic worth- it's
fun time!
Funds are not set aside in the school's budget for music.

Tom Billing

1. other teachers (from other areas) and/or principals thinking that music is of third tier importance, always using band time for other things like tutoring or whatever

2. being assigned to teach a totally different band in subsequent years-making continuity a non entity

3. kids not showing up for concerts

4. kids not having materials for classes, like instruments and/or music

5. the public thinking that the arts classes are blow-off courses

6. being the first cut in budget situations

feel free to add your in the "Comments" section below.

good gigging!

Larry Marra
www.musicteachers911.com

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fund

I would like to invite all music teachers to explore the fantastic opportunities through a great organization called the Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fund.

The MTNA FOUNDATION FUND is a support program that enables music teachers to pursue continuing education opportunities, provides awards for student competitions and assists organizations in funding educational and community outreach programs.

for more information, here is their contact information.

441 Vine St., Ste. 3100, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone
(888) 512-5278
Website
http://www.mtnafoundation.org

You can also become a facebook fan at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Music-Teachers-National-Association-Foundation-Fund/83300906832

good gigging!

Larry Marra
musicteachers911.com