Posted by David on June 12, 2002 at 01:03:10:
This is just a thought but based on a post a little ways down, much of the material that an upper level college player would be working on is being suggested for a senior recital in high school and/or as audition material for college. I would suggest that a little more time be spent on the basics rather than on how far ahead of the game a player can get before college. Technique is wonderful, but musicality is important too.
The vast majority of players do not become orchestral players. College teachers,free lancers, and amateur players need to know musical concepts much more than just how to play it higher, lower, louder or faster than anyone else. Those aspects, while important, are not the features of a virtuoso. A virtuoso has all those abilities and can make a phrase say something musically as well. We continue to be impressed by the technique, but most would agree that Roger Bobo is known as a musician first and a tuba player second. Arnold Jacobs, Harvey Phillips are in the same category - musician and then tuba player.
How do you want to be remembered?