by Peter Boonshaft | Mar 17, 2026 | Boonshaft's Blog
I once was speaking with a perspective college first-year student about his musical studies in high school. He spoke about the ensembles and classes he had, his experiences in solo and ensemble contests, his times at all-state band, and all the things we would...
by Peter Boonshaft | Mar 10, 2026 | Boonshaft's Blog
One of my favorite quotes, one that I think truly encapsulates our profession, is by the remarkable Socrates, who said, “We cannot live better than in seeking to become still better than we already are.” Think about it; isn’t that what we all do? When we go to summer...
by Peter Boonshaft | Mar 3, 2026 | Boonshaft's Blog
In my last blog, I wrote about the idea of using scatter seating in rehearsals. The virtues of this approach can’t be overstated. Another related idea is using what I call “targeted scattering.” So often I ask my alto saxes to sound like the horns when they are...
by Peter Boonshaft | Feb 25, 2026 | Boonshaft's Blog
The next time you see your band, tell them that you are going to do a “scattered” rehearsal. Explain that they can sit anywhere in the room they want, as long as they are not in the same location, or next to the same people as usual. Preferably, they should not even...
by Peter Boonshaft | Feb 10, 2026 | Boonshaft's Blog
One morning last year, while I was rehearsing an all-state band, we came to a measure in a march that had a giant crescendo to the final climatic strain. They played it fine. It wasn’t inspired. It didn’t give me goosebumps or make the hair on the back of my neck...