A topic this week that I would like cover is competition in instrumental music. Another topic that will find its way into competition will be the 'band philosophy'. I think that competition is a very useful tool and that every instrumental program should adopt some form of competition.
In my opinion competition is inherent to everything living. From a very basic perspective; buying toothpaste is a competition. Do you buy the toothpaste that is less expensive? That tastes better? That has a nice looking label? These question are very minute competitions that you make in order to decide what toothpaste you want to use. Competition does not have to be anything like the world series, it can be something very simple. Relating this back to instrumental music, competition can range from chair placement, repertoire selection to solo and ensemble competitions.
Now, I do not think that 'competition' in the sense of pitting one person against the other is not for all people. I also do not think that 'competition' in the sense that one person beats another is not for everyone. But, both of these concepts can be utilized in a band setting in order to improve musicianship.
Although having a pure competitive style program will not be beneficial (because you will lose out on a lot of musicality and camaraderie). But, a band director will need to use competition to aid them and they must keep a competitive mind set if they wish to have their program flourish. Again, in my opinion, competition is inherent to humans, and therefor inherent in music (because, again, in my opinion, music is inherent to humanity).
So how should a band director incorporate competition into the band philosophy? I do not actually know how to do this. If a band program happens to take on the personality and philosophy of the band teacher(s) then the competition would be inherent. But, the band is made up of so many individuals that I have a hard time believing that one band director influences so many students.
I really think that the teacher should adopt a strategy that Dr. Peter Lowell Boonshaft repeats over and over. "Praise, tact, and kindness." Right now I am having a hard time understand how to utilize competition correctly. I would like my own personal program to have a strong foundation in competition, but have it be intrinsic.
After I wrote that last statement, I realize how hard that sounds, and also how ridiculous. Honestly I do not know what my program should be, as I do not have one.
This week has really opened my eyes to the fact that I am still very inexperienced when it comes to music education. I see the benefits of creating my own philosophies now, but I am still weary of many of them. I am learning so many new things that I find my beliefs changing all the time. I am certain that I want to be a music educator, and I am willing to learn as much as possible until I can become one.
A huge piece to competition is understanding that the show happens at a specific time and place. It will be different each time it is presented. And each adjudicator will experience it differently.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though you realize that you will always be growing and changing. Your basic philosophy might remain intact, but it will be altered as you learn new things and have new experiences.