Comments on: Are the traditional ensembles worth continuing? http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/ A Music Education Blog Collective Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:33:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.1 By: BC http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-22244 BC Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:13:29 +0000 http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-22244 I have just stumbled upon this conversation, and have enjoyed reading so many interesting perspectives. As history shows, it is inevitable that our music and the way we teach music will continue to develop over time, and it is also inevitable that technology will become an increasingly ubiquitous aspect of our music making (and our lives in general). As with all of our technological trends, however, I am concerned/interested in how the exponential development of these technologies will affect human interaction, and wonder if there will be some natural backlash for more "natural" modes of communication and interaction in the coming decades. In relation to music, there is a special quality of hearing (and feeling) the natural acoustic vibrations that can only occur in live performance--especially when the sounds are entirely non-electronic. I think that humans will never lose their sensitivity to this experience. There is also a correlation to general human communication, like how talking face-to-face is more powerful than talking on the phone (or email, etc.). Although I am sure that some composers do some incredible things with computers, and the technology will increasingly simulate direct human communication and/or the manipulation of acoustic instruments, it is difficult to imagine a world where acoustic music is a rarity. I support the overall sentiment expressed above that we should be open to integrating new technologies into the classroom, but I do hope we all continue to be standard bearers for the power of acoustic ensemble music of all types. I have just stumbled upon this conversation, and have enjoyed reading so many interesting perspectives. As history shows, it is inevitable that our music and the way we teach music will continue to develop over time, and it is also inevitable that technology will become an increasingly ubiquitous aspect of our music making (and our lives in general). As with all of our technological trends, however, I am concerned/interested in how the exponential development of these technologies will affect human interaction, and wonder if there will be some natural backlash for more “natural” modes of communication and interaction in the coming decades. In relation to music, there is a special quality of hearing (and feeling) the natural acoustic vibrations that can only occur in live performance–especially when the sounds are entirely non-electronic. I think that humans will never lose their sensitivity to this experience. There is also a correlation to general human communication, like how talking face-to-face is more powerful than talking on the phone (or email, etc.). Although I am sure that some composers do some incredible things with computers, and the technology will increasingly simulate direct human communication and/or the manipulation of acoustic instruments, it is difficult to imagine a world where acoustic music is a rarity. I support the overall sentiment expressed above that we should be open to integrating new technologies into the classroom, but I do hope we all continue to be standard bearers for the power of acoustic ensemble music of all types.

]]> By: 9l0-007 http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-22102 9l0-007 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:31:57 +0000 http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-22102 thanks your blog thanks your blog

]]> By: Michael http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-21970 Michael Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:23:14 +0000 http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-21970 As a music student, I would die without the traditional forms of ensembles. When a student practices an instrument, it gives them a feeling of accomplishment. Music helps people to become what they can be, even if they aren't supposed to be a traditional musician. I think there is a very unique characteristic to a traditional ensemble, and I hope that they will never end. As a music student, I would die without the traditional forms of ensembles. When a student practices an instrument, it gives them a feeling of accomplishment. Music helps people to become what they can be, even if they aren’t supposed to be a traditional musician. I think there is a very unique characteristic to a traditional ensemble, and I hope that they will never end.

]]> By: NIMS http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-21960 NIMS Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:13:25 +0000 http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-21960 That's great, I never thought about Are the traditional ensembles worth continuing? like that before. That’s great, I never thought about Are the traditional ensembles worth continuing? like that before.

]]> By: Music ensembles with or without technology? http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-19010 Music ensembles with or without technology? Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:29:29 +0000 http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-19010 [...] is an interesting thread here on the Music Education Blog Collective blog about the nature of music ensembles with or without [...] […] is an interesting thread here on the Music Education Blog Collective blog about the nature of music ensembles with or without […]

]]> By: carystewart http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-18661 carystewart Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:13:05 +0000 http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-18661 Wow, I see that I am late to this conversation. I hope nobody will be offended if I stick in a penny's worth anyway.... The short answer is no, large ensembles should not be eliminated because (a) they are an unparalleled opportunity for students to learn teamwork and leadership, (b) they are a great way to get kids involved in music on a social and musical level while addressing logistical issues--when have you ever seen schools with four students in each class?, and (c) there is more art music literature for medium and large ensembles than for chamber groups. That is not to say that there is no room in school for other models of music education as well. Quite to the contrary, we must offer alternative or non-traditional music opportunities. Sticking to the 1960's school band model would blacklist just as many students as a blindly futuristic model. The answer is that every school should offer courses in large ensembles AND in newer musical media, just as every large ensemble should teach musical skills (such as composition and analysis) rather than simply train to play these three pieces at contest. The key words to me are "offering a range of opportunities". Wow, I see that I am late to this conversation. I hope nobody will be offended if I stick in a penny’s worth anyway….

The short answer is no, large ensembles should not be eliminated because (a) they are an unparalleled opportunity for students to learn teamwork and leadership, (b) they are a great way to get kids involved in music on a social and musical level while addressing logistical issues–when have you ever seen schools with four students in each class?, and (c) there is more art music literature for medium and large ensembles than for chamber groups.

That is not to say that there is no room in school for other models of music education as well. Quite to the contrary, we must offer alternative or non-traditional music opportunities. Sticking to the 1960’s school band model would blacklist just as many students as a blindly futuristic model.

The answer is that every school should offer courses in large ensembles AND in newer musical media, just as every large ensemble should teach musical skills (such as composition and analysis) rather than simply train to play these three pieces at contest. The key words to me are “offering a range of opportunities”.

]]> By: Catalysts & Connections - Evan Tobias » Blog Archive » Congratulations HASTAC Digital Media & Learning Grant Winners! Another look at technology based ensembles! http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-15644 Catalysts & Connections - Evan Tobias » Blog Archive » Congratulations HASTAC Digital Media & Learning Grant Winners! Another look at technology based ensembles! Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:11:18 +0000 http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-15644 [...] discussion took place on this topic back in July of 2006 when the provocative question of “Are the traditional ensembles worth continuing?” was posed. Owen Bradley has recently been blogging about his students’ use of various [...] […] discussion took place on this topic back in July of 2006 when the provocative question of “Are the traditional ensembles worth continuing?” was posed. Owen Bradley has recently been blogging about his students’ use of various […]

]]> By: Catalysts & Connections - Evan Tobias » Blog Archive » An electronic music community in your school? http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-4284 Catalysts & Connections - Evan Tobias » Blog Archive » An electronic music community in your school? Fri, 20 Apr 2007 06:47:19 +0000 http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-4284 [...] also reminded me of a lengthy dialogue that took place several months ago regarding technology and music education in reference to [...] […] also reminded me of a lengthy dialogue that took place several months ago regarding technology and music education in reference to […]

]]> By: vincebates http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-867 vincebates Thu, 30 Nov 2006 02:17:51 +0000 http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-867 It makes a lot of sense to offer more than the traditional ensemble in schools. I'm glad you all are discussing these issues and putting them into practice. I'm wondering, though, are there any public middle-high schools that you know of that have effectively replaced the large ensembles with a student-choice/small ensemble sort of curriculum? I'm not talking about after-school clubs here, but something other than band, choir, and orchestra as the "core" of the "program". It makes a lot of sense to offer more than the traditional ensemble in schools. I’m glad you all are discussing these issues and putting them into practice. I’m wondering, though, are there any public middle-high schools that you know of that have effectively replaced the large ensembles with a student-choice/small ensemble sort of curriculum? I’m not talking about after-school clubs here, but something other than band, choir, and orchestra as the “core” of the “program”.

]]> By: jabramo http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-371 jabramo Tue, 08 Aug 2006 14:13:25 +0000 http://collective.musiced.net/2006/07/18/61/#comment-371 I think we need to think of the computers as another instrument the same way we think of a flute or percussion instruments; when we strip a saxophonist of her saxophone we don't criticize her for not making "quality" music. I think we should think the same way with a musician that designates the computer as their main instrument; it is their way to create music. They aren't any more or less of a musician than a violinist or a vocalist. Or are they?... I think we need to think of the computers as another instrument the same way we think of a flute or percussion instruments; when we strip a saxophonist of her saxophone we don’t criticize her for not making “quality” music. I think we should think the same way with a musician that designates the computer as their main instrument; it is their way to create music. They aren’t any more or less of a musician than a violinist or a vocalist.

Or are they?…

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