Florida Music Educators Association

Professional Development Clinic-Conference January 10, 2013

Preparing for FBA State Solo and Ensemble MPA

Dr. Ann Adams! ! ! ! ! ! Professor of Oboe and Music Education !! Stetson University! ! ! ! ! aadams@stetson.edu ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Dr. Lynn Musco Professor of Clarinet Stetson University lmusco@stetson.edu

The focus of this clinic will be to raise the awareness of artistry and creativity in developing musicianship and musical independence with students of all levels in preparation for FBA State Solo and Ensemble. Topics to be addressed will include: performance fundamentals, technical accuracy, musical effect, stage presence and appropriate literature selection. The audience will learn strategies for developing a more vibrant and exible range of musical expression. Preparation Choosing literature To make progress with basics such as on-stage condence and ease of execution, repertoire choices must be within the capacity of the student. Musicians who pick unattainable pieces foster destructive habits, such as anxiety and tension, and miss out on learning how to present secure and condent performances. The best bet for meeting musical goals is to study pieces that will serve both immediate and on-going objectives. ! ! ! ! Dont be tied to the grade level Pick appropriate literature that will challenge, but not out of reach Consider accompaniment requirements The expectation of performance at State Solo & Ensemble is at the highest level

To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and quality practice time. Habits in the practice room transfer to the performance. Planning the practice session ! Keep a Practice journal ! Write down goals and practice objectives ! Schedule regular practice sessions

Practice Sessions should include: ! Warm-up with long tones and scale studies played with expression and intent ! Etudes - to develop technique and musicianship ! Literature - to develop style and musicianship ! Slow practice ~ Never play it wrong ~ Always strive for complete accuracy ! Listening Record practice sessions and listen carefully. A recorder enables you to perceive how you actually sound to your listeners. Develop a beautiful tone and accurate intonation. Cultivate focused mental habits, set explicit practice goals. Performance tempo needs to be accurate. Technique must be clean. Articulation accuracy Schedule rehearsals with the collaborating musicians to enable a true musical experience. Presentation You only have one opportunity to make a rst impression. Appearance makes a difference Dress and present yourself professionally Introduce yourself to the judge (practice saying this out loud) ! speak slowly and clearly ! make eye contact when you speak ! announce the piece you will be performing Performance Your objective is to master the music and then perform artistically with ease. The key to easeful performance is the ability to command your music making. Master performers exhibit ease in all that they do on stage. The only way that you become an expressive performer is to be an expressive practicer. Use your imagination especially with the most simplistic materials. Probe the music in practice to enable spontaneity in performance.

Music exists in time. Artistic timing isn't only about maintaining a steady pulse and precisely subdividing beats. Vitality in rhythm results when you create forward motion that propels the phrase. Aim to express musical ideas, not spew out notes. Go beyond what is on the page. Essentials of artistic interpretation Capture the mood, style, and tempo of the piece Shape the dynamics Color the tone ~ Vibrato ~ Dynamics ~ Darkening or brightening tone Clarity of articulation Contour the meter Drive the rhythm. Steer shorter notes into longer notes. Move from upbeats towards downbeats Play across the bar line Express the form Execute trills correctly according to the genre Nuance of phrasing - beginnings and endings of notes Ease of performance Expressiveness Accuracy Rhythmic vitality Beautiful tone Focused attention Positive attitude "Treat everything you play on your instrument as an important piece of music...even if you are just warming up.