Something my students made me more proud of than their ratings

[russiantuba]

This weekend was Solo & Ensemble competition for my central Ohio students. I had a record number attend and their scores were impressive. Some students had some super nerves, but I think everyone learned a lot from the process.

Though this makes me happy, what makes me more proud is the way they handled themselves in the warmup room. I was in and out helping them warm up when able and calming them down, giving final advice.

I had a sophomore trombonist doing the DeMeij TBone Concerto, a Junior tubist doing the Falcone rep, a couple bass trombonists doing a piece with a very loud section that can play bass trombone level volume well beyond their years, but yet, they just played calm, played easier sections of their pieces to get it in their ears and just talked, socialized, and were mature. No super loud, displaying their technical prowess and range like a couple from other schools I heard.

Having taken a few auditions, where I’ve seen colleagues just play loud in someone’s ear to intimidate them, another one (who has a flagship school job now) stepped on my friend’s bell, causing a crease, and just laughed and didn’t say any apologies or offer to cover the repairs.

I think it goes to say that those who have prepared well don’t have to show off, that oftentimes a calm demeanor and being a “soft spoken” player in these rooms goes a long ways. Very pleased with their performances and professional maturity.

[bloke]

In the early 70's, i don't recall anyone (from flute to snare drum) bringing wire stands and playing through their stuff in the waiting rooms (gymnasia/auditoria) pre auditions...
...but those were different times...and (baby boom era) ridiculously high numbers of jam-packed applicants.

When I took my oldest one (the oboist) to a tryout location for the first time (early 90's) I was shocked when I walked into what seemed to be the cavern underneath Mt. Etna - overseen by Vulcan himself.

Heck...I'm so old that (early 60's, and both of my siblings are over a decade older than me) I recall high school graduations whereby those who received diplomas were actually prepared to enter the (real) job market, no one hollered (much less whispered) all the ladies wore white gloves, all the men (including 5-year-old boys) wore suits-and-ties, and it was also considered rude for a parent to leave their seat, walk up to the stage, and take a picture.

I have to believe that your own students' behavior is something for which you are - at least - partially responsible.

[gocsick]

It is a divergence from Jame's original point, so I apologize...

As the proud father of that junior tuba @russiantuba mentions above... I do agree with @bloke . James demonstrates humility, thoughtfulness, and professionalism in all his interactions with his students. The fact that he took a large chunk out of his weekend to go see his students perform speaks volumes to his dedication.

It is a great event, and it is always a lot of fun to see so many fine young musicians from our neck of the woods. With most auditions and competitions moving to recordings, it is a fantastic experience for the students to be able to perform live for a judge and to get a meaningful and critique of their performance.

[russiantuba]

Thank you for the kind words--however your son is the one who is doing all the work and has always had professional communication and maturity.

One of my recent goals in teaching, not in my official teaching philosophy "yet", is that I want my students to become my colleagues, and as I get older and older, this is being cordial, putting in the work and being accountable.

I wish I could be at every one of my students events as it is great to hear them perform--which is becoming increasingly difficult because they are actively performing in a wide variety of groups, but I am also glad there are so many opportunities in the area.

Your comment made me actually think of a segway with performance anxiety--when I was in middle school, we did weekly chair tests where we had to play in front of the entire band. Now it is so easy to record projects and this doesn't happen as much. It was also a bit, lets say, not a good thing in middle school to not practice and sound not as good in front of all our friends...because people did talk about that all day.

What a great weekend for all the area students.