tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post2351974063742344933..comments2024-03-22T06:38:04.697-04:00Comments on Beyond the Notes: A dare for college piano departmentsErica Ann Sipeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-32728762559280672192013-01-10T16:53:15.524-05:002013-01-10T16:53:15.524-05:00Rob,
Thank you for reading and for your comments! ...Rob,<br />Thank you for reading and for your comments! There's nothing like making music work in the "real" world to get the real experience necessary to improve some of those skills. I think it's difficult and almost artificial to try and practice sightreading by ourselves so it's perfect when we have an opportunity like playing at a church to work on it. And kudos to you for being willing to do something about which you probably didn't feel really comfortable. That takes guts. <br /><br />Happy playing and musicking and I look forward to hearing from you again!<br /><br />EricaErica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-26957175473476777782013-01-10T12:22:35.956-05:002013-01-10T12:22:35.956-05:00Couldn't agree more! I was thinking the other...Couldn't agree more! I was thinking the other day how much more enjoyable my university experience would have been if they'd required sightreading.<br /><br />Like Annette, I found myself playing for a churc, which for me was a huge shock as I had to bring my reading skills all the way from non-functional to merely dysfunctional and then mediocre (I'm grateful for their patience!). Looking back, I imagine if I'd been required to have some sightreading skills to pass the audition I'd have had a much easier time learning both the solo repertoire and collaborative pieces and probably wouldn't have felt so overwhelmed and stressed at times.<br /><br />In the end I decided that whatever our schooling might miss, being out in the world wouldn't, hahah!<br /><br />By the way I just discovered your blog Erica and am enjoying reading my way through your thoughts :)Rob Anthonynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-3033132637585019912010-02-28T12:15:13.870-05:002010-02-28T12:15:13.870-05:00Interestingly, in the UK, not only does sight read...Interestingly, in the UK, not only does sight reading (for any instrument) form a part of all Grade and Diploma Examinations but it is also included in the music conservatory audition process. I'm amazed that in the US the same practice isn't followed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-39003893979257073272010-02-27T22:42:32.110-05:002010-02-27T22:42:32.110-05:00Thank you, Annette, and Gretchen, for your comment...Thank you, Annette, and Gretchen, for your comments. Yes, choir accompanying will certainly give your brain a workout - a good workout and it teaches so many other good skills as well. It also ensures that you're never lonely :-) And Gretchen, your story is funny in a very sad, ironic way. It's that type of situation that gives accompanying a bad rap.Erica Ann Sipeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526622607656348353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-21872639436403190392010-02-27T22:32:05.271-05:002010-02-27T22:32:05.271-05:00Hi Erica,
Terrific idea!
Several yrs. ago, I was...Hi Erica,<br /><br />Terrific idea!<br /><br />Several yrs. ago, I was 1 of 5 accompanists hired for a 2-week voice seminar. One of my colleagues was 19, about to be a soph at Juilliard. Piano performance major.<br /><br />He was cute. All the women @ the seminar flocked around him in the lobby between classes. He entertained them with stories of waking up early to play Liszt w/o warming up. (I don't know if this was true, personally... ;) )<br /><br />WELL, then came his 1st performance. He appeared w/an experienced singer who was probably around age 40. They started w/one of the "24 Italian Songs and Arias," a slow song.<br /><br />This guy went SO SLOWLY, the singer ran out of air after the 4th note!<br /><br />Reality check: what do performance majors do when they graduate? Play for VOICE LESSONS to pay the RENT??????? It was SO obvious that he had never seen a singer before!Gretchen Saathoffhttp://gretchenspianos.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048025771349159983.post-19778661682348727692010-02-27T15:17:21.228-05:002010-02-27T15:17:21.228-05:00Bravo, thanks for saying this! I, myself, am surpr...Bravo, thanks for saying this! I, myself, am surprised that this is not a requirement for college auditions. I recently landed a job as a church pianist, choir accompanist and choir director this past fall, and it has been a musical training in itself from all the sight reading required. It will truly make or break you but the work is so worth it if you're dedicated to music!Annette Naglehttp://www.annettemargaret.comnoreply@blogger.com