Gioachino Rossini, composer of such operatic masterpieces as “The Barber of Seville” and “Otello,” believed his last opera – “William Tell” – was his crowning achievement. Alas, the four-hour opera, first performed in Paris on August 3, 1829, was not a hit. In the weird way of the world, its afterthought of an overture has become one of the world's most well-known works.
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Summer is over and it’s time to gear up for fall. For student musicians, that means getting prepared to apply for fall music competitions. For many people, auditions rank as things to be avoided, like getting a cavity drilled, being surrounded by spiders, or having your identity stolen. Nervousness and stress make competitions the most difficult part of your musical education. However, you don’t have to dread the yearly ritual. Half of the battle can be won before you ever set foot on stage. Preparation has the power to limit your fears.
Read More
Avishai Cohen is a composer and bass musician who’s performed all over the world for nearly 20 years. Born on a kibbutz in Israel to a musical family with roots reaching back to Poland, Spain, and Greece, Avishai has developed a unique sound while constantly innovating. One critic at the “Make Weird Music” website describes Avishai’s sound this way:
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Students interested in a music career know that there is stiff competition to learn from certain instructors. Being able to get off on the right foot with a new music teacher is crucial for establishing a learning relationship that really benefits student advancement. The ugly truth is that it’s hard to learn from someone you don’t get along with, so making a great impression on your educator—regardless of your age or skill level—is a key to success.
Read More
Today’s teachers face challenges like never before. Over-crowded classrooms, unrelenting budget cuts, and general underappreciation can eventually wear down the spirit and destroy the happiness you feel when you are helping others discover their musical ability. However, you can prevent stagnation, keep your professional fervor, and find more joy as a teacher by following these practical tips.
Read More
The summer can seem all too short for both teachers and students. Before you know it, it’s time to gear up for a new school year, new students, and new challenges. Getting your learning space ready for the next batch of aspiring musicians is an annual job. Depending on the amount of preparation you did the following spring, it will require some effort. But don’t worry if you left your room in a (seeming) shambles before leaving in summer. There are tons of easy ways to make the fall transition less stressful and more productive.
Read More
When we think of Russia and classical music, we think of the great composers like Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Stravinsky. Russia’s place in the canon of Western classical music, both as composers and musicians is well established. It can be easy to overlook the rich variety of native Russian string instruments.
Read More
Many teachers face the same money challenges year after year. Discovering ways to meet the funding gaps in your classroom budget can be difficult when combined with all the other back-to-school responsibilities you have on your plate. A number of cash-strapped school districts can barely afford necessities, so extras are usually out of the question. Educators often foot the bill for special projects they’ve planned.
Read More
Going away to school is an exciting time. It feels like anything is possible – and it is. But as with anything worth doing, leaving home to enter the competitive world of music school has its challenges as well.
Read More
Gioachino Rossini, composer of such operatic masterpieces as “The Barber of Seville” and “Otello,” believed his last opera – “William Tell” – was his crowning achievement. Alas, the four-hour opera, first performed in Paris on August 3, 1829, was not a hit. In the weird way of the world, its afterthought of an overture has become one of the world's most well-known works.
Read More
Summer is over and it’s time to gear up for fall. For student musicians, that means getting prepared to apply for fall music competitions. For many people, auditions rank as things to be avoided, like getting a cavity drilled, being surrounded by spiders, or having your identity stolen. Nervousness and stress make competitions the most difficult part of your musical education. However, you don’t have to dread the yearly ritual. Half of the battle can be won before you ever set foot on stage. Preparation has the power to limit your fears.
Read More
Avishai Cohen is a composer and bass musician who’s performed all over the world for nearly 20 years. Born on a kibbutz in Israel to a musical family with roots reaching back to Poland, Spain, and Greece, Avishai has developed a unique sound while constantly innovating. One critic at the “Make Weird Music” website describes Avishai’s sound this way:
Read More
Students interested in a music career know that there is stiff competition to learn from certain instructors. Being able to get off on the right foot with a new music teacher is crucial for establishing a learning relationship that really benefits student advancement. The ugly truth is that it’s hard to learn from someone you don’t get along with, so making a great impression on your educator—regardless of your age or skill level—is a key to success.
Read More
Today’s teachers face challenges like never before. Over-crowded classrooms, unrelenting budget cuts, and general underappreciation can eventually wear down the spirit and destroy the happiness you feel when you are helping others discover their musical ability. However, you can prevent stagnation, keep your professional fervor, and find more joy as a teacher by following these practical tips.
Read More
The summer can seem all too short for both teachers and students. Before you know it, it’s time to gear up for a new school year, new students, and new challenges. Getting your learning space ready for the next batch of aspiring musicians is an annual job. Depending on the amount of preparation you did the following spring, it will require some effort. But don’t worry if you left your room in a (seeming) shambles before leaving in summer. There are tons of easy ways to make the fall transition less stressful and more productive.
Read More
When we think of Russia and classical music, we think of the great composers like Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Stravinsky. Russia’s place in the canon of Western classical music, both as composers and musicians is well established. It can be easy to overlook the rich variety of native Russian string instruments.
Read More
Many teachers face the same money challenges year after year. Discovering ways to meet the funding gaps in your classroom budget can be difficult when combined with all the other back-to-school responsibilities you have on your plate. A number of cash-strapped school districts can barely afford necessities, so extras are usually out of the question. Educators often foot the bill for special projects they’ve planned.
Read More
Going away to school is an exciting time. It feels like anything is possible – and it is. But as with anything worth doing, leaving home to enter the competitive world of music school has its challenges as well.
Read More
