I’ve considered taking the word “performing” out of the title of this blog. I think it’s misleading. I do perform, but definitely not at the level of many other musicians I know. My performance preference is definitely in a group when playing my clarinet. I also prefer to sit as far away from the edge of the stage as possible. I don’t crave the spotlight by any stretch of the imagination! (Although, why am I writing here? Hmmm…)
I just reread my Bio as well to see if I wanted to change anything. I made it sound like I perform a lot! I have performed with all of those groups regularly at times, but at the moment I only play with the Elmhurst College & Community Wind Ensemble. I made the decision to cut back this fall. There are other areas of my life that needed more attention!
I actually tried to figure out how to change the title a few weeks ago, but couldn’t find a place to edit it. So for now, this site remains “Music Teaching, Learning, and Performing.”
4 responses so far ↓
Tim J // March 8, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I don’t think it’s misleading! Playing music for people to hear IS performing, and the insights you get from it are still valid. And if it’s in an amateur group, they may be helpful to amateurs and also remind the professionals that their type of performing is only one.
Also, accepting it as valid tells your pupils that musical performance is accessible to them: music, performing included, is for everyone, not just the highly accomplished.
Bonnie Brown // March 8, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Very well said. Thanks for the reminder!
Andy Zweibel // March 8, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Another thing worth noting is that even if you wouldn’t say you’re a “performer” persay, on this blog you discuss aspects of performing and your experiences from it, so for no other reason, that makes the title appropriate!
Bonnie Brown // March 8, 2009 at 10:19 pm
You’re also correct, I believe! Probably many (if not most) music teachers perform to some degree on their own time. Even if we don’t perform as frequently as some, most likely we are teaching our students performance ideas, at the very least. Both you and Tim have convinced me to leave the title as it is!