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Do you hear what I hear?
Not long ago, I was attending the rehearsal of a community orchestra. Before the session began in earnest, two bassoonists who were working out a certain passage were playing two different notes that were part of a chord. But the two instruments were out of tune with one another. The bassoonists played the passage again, and then a third time, but it was still out of tune. I was sitting directly in front of them, and when it became apparent to me that they didn’t hear the mistuning, I finally said, “Whoever is playing the bottom note is sharp.”
To my surprise, they thanked me. I try to never interfere with musicians as they practice, but in this case it was clear to me that they couldn’t hear the mistuning and solve the problem on their own. One bassoonist said she simply couldn’t hear the difference.
When playing a wind instrument that is so very flexible is – as the flute is –musicians need to be able to hear the pitch in their mind, because accurate intonation is essential to a good performance.
When I realized that I could hear what they could not, I further realized that while we all hear, we don’t all necessarily hear the same things.
And that brought home to me the need for musicians to be able to collaborate and cooperate, fundamental concepts that define our organization. Our membership comprises many collaborators, some of whom may hear things differently than others. The events that you read about in the newsletter are the results of different people hearing different perspectives from a single idea, then collaborating and cooperating to wind up with an even better final result. We are very fortunate indeed!
I urge all members to take advantage of the programs that the board offers to both students and teachers. Our Fall Ensemble Festival is right around the corner on Sunday, November 10, at the Richmond Free Library. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience first-hand collaboration and cooperation in a friendly performance environment.
Do you have an idea that you would like to see VMTA implement? If so, please consider joining the board. We would love to ”hear” about it!
-Laurel Ann Maurer
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