Re: Show Choirs and Musicals -- Heidelberg MusEd discussion

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Date Posted: 09:10:01 02/06/06 Mon
Author: Devin Bramel
Subject: Re: Show Choirs and Musicals
In reply to: Bradley Jayne 's message, "Show Choirs and Musicals" on 09:41:24 01/31/06 Tue

I would agree that musicals, show choir, and jazz ensembles are not really incorporated into our curriculum; however, the opportunity to learn about them is there, if one seeks to find the answers.
I have found, at least for me, that most of the time experience is actually the best teacher. For example, one can sit through a class and discuss the various aspects of jazz performance practice, yet unless one actually participates in a jazz ensemble, there is no need to apply this knowledge; thus, chances are it will not be retained. The same can be applied to show choirs and musicals as well.
If one is interested in learning the pedagogy behind these ensembles, I would suggest that one talks to the instructor. Find out why they chose the music they chose and what they are trying to teach through it; also, closely observe them as they teach and pay close attention to just how they instruct the students, what aspects of the music they draw attention to, as well as how they solve problems the ensemble is having. This may not formally be a "class" approach, but one can still learn through experience and observation.

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[> Re: Show Choirs and Musicals -- Derek, 17:31:48 02/07/06 Tue [1]

Granted, we can't learn everything in a four year experience, and some things can't even be offered in a four year experience. That's just the way it is. However, there is something I'd like to see happen at the Berg before our class graduates.

The one thing we should try and do before we leave is establish a disscusion panel that meets every week during the second semester, even if it's just for the last part of the semester (say, for example, we only meet after spring break). Its goal would be to let the seniors talk about anything they haven't learned yet. It'd be one last chance to draw upon all of our professors' knowledge here at the Berg. If we could get people from both the instrumental and choral departments to sit in on this panel, chances are we could ask questions pertaining to show choirs, musicals, jazz improv, pep bands, field trips, fundraising activities, and anything else we might have touched upon briefly during our time here at the Berg but would like one last refresher. We might even be able to get Mr. Bleyle or Mr. Hanson to come in and offer their perspectives. The more people we get a chance to talk to before we get shipped out of here the better.

Basically, if we could set up a class (for seniors only) that functioned just like this website, we could solidify so many different concepts or expand our knowledge even more. I personally want a chance to reflect on everything we've learned here at Heidelberg during the final days (or weeks) as a senior. I also would like the chance to ask FACULTY as many last minute questions as I could. This website is great, but if we could get at least half the music department together one last time before we go for a discussion panel (or seminar), I think it would help ALL of us greatly.

I have a feeling that by this time next year, I'm going to start feeling a little panicked about finding my OWN job. If we could get one last opportunity at that particular moment in time -- when all of us are just about to cross over into the next phase of our life -- to just talk to people that have already been in the field for a number of years, I think that'd be very reassuring for me. I don't know if this will happen, but I would like to find a time for seniors to sit down with more than one instructor and discuss anything else that comes to mind. Then, during each week, the professors can help us search for even more information about whatever topic we want to learn more about (either from their own resources or extended knowledge) and discuss it in class next week. Even if we can only set up a situation where we meet with as many professors as we can just once during our final days at Heidelberg, I'd feel a lot better. Right now, we have classes with one professor at a time. Think what we could do with 8 or 9 in a seminar. We could even call it the "Breneman Round Table" --- taught by the entire music department.

ANYHOW, I hope something like this gets approved in the near future. We'll probably never get a class on show choirs, musicals, or jazz methods - but this could certainly help...

One last chance to talk with all the professors -- that's all I ask -- not as teachers or students, but as men and women.

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