Mpingo

This is a photo taken by Erin Hannigan in Carlos Coelho's oboe shop. Carlos says this much grenadilla (or mpingo) wood could probably make two oboes!

Musical EXPRESSION

Musicians talk about musical expression A LOT. I like how this video illustrates musical expression with facial expression. Watch closely and you will see: question and answer, going forward and coming away, mood changes, dynamic changes, and the same musical material presented uniquely each time. While both the musician's and actor's expressions are based on what the composer wrote (meter, rhythm, melody, and harmony), they have both added to that information with their own artistic sense to make it interesting and, I think you'll agree, entertaining.

A quick tip on musical etiquette...

This video illustrates well one rule of musical etiquette: If one of your fellow musicians is preparing for a performance, don't practice their part if there is any chance they might hear you. Likewise, do not finger along while a colleague is playing a solo. Make plenty of time to practice the repertoire you like in the solitude of your practice room.

No Cheating

One of my favorite things about teaching music is that there is no cheating. It simply isn't possible. No one else can practice for you, or learn rhythms for you, or learn to read music for you, or learn how to produce a fabulous sound for you. There are a wealth of people, including myself, who are eager to guide you and offer suggestions, but we cannot actually implement anything on your behalf. So the only cheating that occurs is if you cheat yourself out of an opportunity to learn, grow, or express yourself by not doing the work you must do, alone, between lessons. Of course, this applies to all aspects of life; it is just so obvious in music. Your future success (in any discipline) depends on your ability to implement the suggestions of others, and compliment those suggestions with your own discoveries found through hard work. Always ask lots of questions; this will help your teacher guide you better. Then take the answers you are given and work with them. If the answers lead to more questions, you are on the right track! My teacher, Richard Killmer, is credited with saying something like, "No one has ALL of the truth, but everyone has some of it." There is truth waiting for you in the practice room that no one else can give you. I hope you find it and share it.

GO to the Boulder Bach Festival!

The Boulder Bach Festival features legendary oboist Joseph Robinson tomorrow and Saturday. I am not sure how it happened that I didn't have any personal interaction with Mr. Robinson until last November, but I am sure glad I finally did! He is a pleasant person to talk to, and shares a lot of insight and attitude that I admire very much. He has lived an interesting life, and does not hesitate to laugh at the absurd moments (which every oboist faces at some point!) and relish the poignant ones for the enjoyment of all. He demonstrated this handily at his class at CU Boulder on Tuesday, along with some very illustrative and moving interpretations of standard repertoire and excerpts. It is easy to hear the greatness that made him a fixture of the New York Philharmonic for many years. I hope to have the opportunity to hear him teach students in a masterclass setting sometime in the near future! Peter Cooper suggested this interview which I now recommend to you. I am so disappointed that I can't attend the Boulder Bach Festival concerts this weekend, but hope that you will enjoy them doubly on my behalf!

Goosebumps

There is so much to love about this clip, from the simple perfection of the music itself to the sublime performance by two of my favorite female singers. Thanks to Patty over at oboeinsight for posting!

Translation (found at Edelweiss):

Sull'aria . . .
On the breeze . . .
Che soave zeffiretto . . .
What a gentle zephyr . . .
Zeffiretto . . .
Zephyr . . .
Questa sera spirera!
Will sigh this evening!
Questa sera spirera . . .
Will sigh this evening . . .
Sotto i pini del boschetto.
Beneath the pine grove.
Sotto i pini?
Beneath the pines?
Sotto i pini del boschetto . . .
Beneath the pine grove . . .
Ei gia il resto capira.
He will understand the rest.
Certo, certo il capira.
Certainly, he'll understand.
Ei gia il resto capira.
He will understand the rest.
Canzonetta sull'aria . . . etc.
Little tune on the breeze . . . etc.

Random clip for the day

You'll never hear me telling a student that grades don't matter, or that they shouldn't go to college or graduate school or even that they shouldn't become insurance salesmen. After all, my father is an insurance salesman precisely because it allows him to do the things he enjoys most, both at work and everywhere else. But I hope my students don't miss out on their experiences because they think they only matter as a means to an end. Don't dedicate your life to something unless the process is just as enjoyable as the potential outcome.

CD available online!

The Mountain Music Duo's debut album "Summer Play" is now available online! Click here to order. The digital files have not yet appeared on iTunes and other digital media sites, but I will update this post when they do!

***UPDATE***
The album is now available on iTunes, and coming soon to Amazon, Rhapsody, and more!

Fun!

I have to admit that since I spend 99% of my practice time trying to cultivate the most beautiful sound possible on this finicky instrument called the oboe, sometimes it is fun to honk out some really raucous MULTIPHONICS. Prior to today, I had only memorized one, but then I found this great article which describes several! The links to fingering charts is particularly helpful, and I have found some new favorites. Happy honking!

On summer's end...

It was foggy as I left the Rocky Ridge master class - a sight rare in Colorado, especially in July! The students all played wonderfully and I think we had a great class.

Don't forget about the Mountain Music Duo's DEBUT CD RELEASE PARTY coming up on August 28! We previewed some of the tunes at Erie Community Library.



It is also back-to-school time, and time to sign up for private lessons if you haven't already!

You can leave a comment on this post for more information, or email me at tenly [dot] williams [at] gmail [dot] com.

Masterclass at Rocky Ridge

Rocky Ridge Music Center was the site of my first multi-week summer music camp. I had a blast! Now things have come full circle, and I will teach a masterclass there at 9:30 AM on July 29.

Also, be on the lookout for the Mountain Music Duo's new album, Summer Play, which will be available both digitally and materially before our CD release party on August 28! Visit tenly.blogspot.com for more information!

Michael Jackson

I haven't always been a fan of Michael Jackson. Like many great artists, he was a troubled man who experienced highs and lows the rest of us probably can't truly imagine. His artistic contributions challenged stereotypes, revolutionized music and dance, and paved a path for subsequent artists and activists. His messages are powerful, and I appreciate them more each time I encounter them.

Michael Jackson - New Music - More Music Videos

This video reminded me of the final paragraph of Dr. Karl Paulnack's welcome address to students of the Boston Conservatory, which should be read in its entirety and is available here. He writes, "If there is a future of peace for humankind... I expect it will come from the artists..."

How do you know when to clap?

Another gem from oboeinsight answers the question with humor! Confusion about when to clap should never keep anyone from attending classical concerts; there will always be a clapper there who prides himself in being the first!

Too fun NOT to share!

A video featuring the oboe d'amore (literal translation: oboe of love), an instrument larger (and thus lower) than the oboe but smaller (and thus higher) than the English horn. Each instrument has its own totally unique timbre.



Thanks to Oboeinsight (see link on the right) for posting!

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

The fabulous oboe studio of Christa Garvey (right) at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire after my recital there in March.

Summer oboe lessons in Denver!

Get a head start on next year's auditions and musical challenges by taking private oboe lessons over the summer! Study with a full-time, professional performer and educator who will put your priorities first. Lessons are available in Denver (Washington Park area) and also in Boulder and Lafayette, Colorado. All ages and abilities are welcome, but a commitment to practice between lessons is required. Lessons on English horn are also available, and all lessons may include help making oboe and English horn reeds upon request. Contact Tenly at 303-910-2718 or tenlyoboe@gmail.com to schedule!

Radio Broadcast

***BREAKING NEWS***

Tune in for an encore broadcast of the Mountain Music Duo performing Marcia Marchesi's "Ciranda" on KVOD 88.1 FM ***TONIGHT*** Friday, April 3 at approximately 8:40 PM (Mountain Time). You can even listen online!

Classes about reeds, excerpts, and entrepreneurship

In the next eight weeks I will present three different types of classes at three higher education institutions.

The first, on January 27 at the University of Northern Colorado, will be my entrepreneurship class including tips on freelancing and gigging. Learn how to maximize your career potential whether you win auditions or not.

In February, I will present a reed making class at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. I have presented this class twice before in Colorado and am excited to expand to a larger audience!

In March, the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire will be the host for my reed making class as well as a traditional master class for excerpts and standard repertoire.

Hopefully there will be more in other regions of the country in the future! For more details on these classes in addition to concert and recital information, please visit tenly.blogspot.com. For more information, email tenly [dot] williams [at] gmail [dot] com.

Music in Cyberspace

Live concerts on your computer... all the way from Berlin!

Also, YouTube presents the world's first collaborative online orchestra... brush up on those excerpts!

Public Radio

First, a link for the season, an interview with John Rutter about Christmas Carols.

Second, a Colorado Matters segment regarding arts in schools.

Hopefully the links will work!