When someone is good at more than one trade or craft, they are sometimes called “multi-talented.” It doesn’t matter who you speak to or where you go, folks who can perform multiple activities (sometimes simultaneously) to a high degree usually get kudos for their efforts. This is especially prevalent in the entertainment industry. Sometimes, you’ll […]
My Time in the Pits
In a professional Broadway style musical like Mamma Mia, Cats, or The Producers, the musicians are traditionally only heard and not seen, for they are playing in a properly located orchestra pit that is roomy and well-ventilated. The conductor can see the actors on the stage as well as the musicians below it, and can […]
Orchestra vs. Concert Band: Different Instruments
When you hear the word “orchestra,” you probably think of names like “New York Philharmonic,” “London Symphony,” or maybe “Boston Pops.” No problem. But when you hear “concert band,” what enters your mind? For most non-musicians, most likely just a big question mark. The easiest and most obvious difference (out of many) between these two […]
Defining the Community Ensemble
In general, a community is a group of people who share a common characteristic, interest, goal, or attitude. However, the word “community” can have different meanings, based on the situation you’re talking about or the context in which it is used. A community music ensemble—be it a wind band, orchestra, or jazz band—is an excellent […]
Not Close Enough
These days, the saying “Close enough for jazz” has less meaning for me than it did when I first heard it. One thing that gets on my nerves is when non-jazz musicians assume that playing jazz does not require accuracy – it most certainly does. Randomly throwing together a collection of notes and ignoring the […]
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