We know from previous blogs how much music means to me, which is why my last blog about The Art of Possibility will focus on the last chapter, which is about the New England Conservatory Youth Orchestra. The first quote that sticks out in my mind is “When the door of eye sight closes, what door is likely to open? Listening”. When 88 people choose to work on something with a common goal in mind things either go amazingly well or tremendously wrong. This is true in a classroom, a sports team, or an orchestra. The musicians in the story had evolved from playing music from memory to play music from their heart. Dvorak’s New World Symphony is a fabulous piece of music yet very tricky play.
Nate Stemple in the Marlboro Middle School Band
Photo by Rick Stemple
On a side note, and reference to my other blogs, Dvorak is a great example of why we do need copyright laws, Dvorak died penniless, alone, and in poverty in an apartment in New York. Almost immediately after his death his music became popular and was recognized as one of the great composers of the time.
The Art of Possibility had another great moment from the author was talking about how great the performance of Dvorak had been. He said “ it was a high point not only of the to work, but also of the year, and it took place in a small town between the major engagements, where nothing of importance was likely to happen.” As an old friend of mine used to say “ the Angels are in the details”. I know the quote is “ the devil is in the details” but we always try to be positive for the students. It is not always the big performances that make education and performing great, it is the learning moments in the classroom and in the practice room that you remember the most.
The authors use a musical term to describe the ending, or in this case the code which is Italian for tail. The authors describe the book is not a self help book, but as a tool for transformation. A transformation from a person who meets challenges that life serves up, to one who designs the stage on which life plays out. What a great idea, and how do we achieve this transformation? Through practice, lots and lots of practice. Just like performing or teaching, you only get better by doing it over and over again. Good luck and hope you all have a great school year.
I don't think it's fair that we read this book. LOL I like your thoughts about the book considering that you are also a musical educator. I like the changing of the quote from devil to angels are in the details because you are right that we do need to be the positive ones for our students and if they only see the negative they will start to think that way as well. You sound like a music teacher telling people to practice, but you are right we are artists in our own way and if we do not use our tools they will rust.
ReplyDeleteI watched my girlfriend's brother play a gig at a local watering hole with his band, they'd just lost one of their two lead guitarists who'd left to find his fortune in Chicago. He's twenty-two, so that's what you do when you are talented and 22. The point of me sharing this is that as I watched the band I was wondering why do they continue to play, all of the remaining band members on the other side of forty. I know Jack, my girlfriend's brother, well enough to know that he does it because he loves playing music. Why do any of us do what we do? Is it enough that whatever we do puts food on the table? If we have any choices in life that's one that we generally ignore. We do what we do because we love it. Fame and making loads of money is better than starving, but it can be a different kind of starving if it isn't what you love. Whether it's strumming a guitar and seeing the shine in your students' eyes, it has to be what we love.
ReplyDelete