| I am a big believer in the teaching power of experience. There is a lesson in that bad oboe player ruining the concert for you, Chica. There are many.
How much do you think attitude has to do with one's playing? Examine the best players for their ego (are they conceited?) or humility (are they humans who know they are not perfect and admit their errors?)
What does this say about personal preparation for a performance and personal contribuition to an ensemble? (Who is the most important member of a group?)
As TrickG mentioned above, a public school performing group is NOT the Minnesota Symphony, NY Phil or other professional organization. Its mission is completely different, in fact. Yes, we all want to hear music rendered in a way that is honest, touches us, is in tune, has good blend within the ensemble, instruments that sound the way they are supposed to and has the right notes at the right times. This is a very important part of playing; but that's not all. What reasons might the director have had (other than competition festivals) to put that oboist in that position?
I've been known to crash and burn miserably. (Yes, in performance, and both as a player and conductor; also as a teacher). I think we all have nightmare stories to tell. It is the lessons contained in those stories that is important; even more important is how we deal with them or whether we are human enough to see them or choose to ignore them.
Young Grasshopper...
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-Glenn
"Roses have thorns; shining waters mud. Clouds and eclipses stain the moon and the sun; and history reeks of the wrongs we have done. After today, after today, consider me gone."- Sting |