#67. An Essential Ingredient

#67. An Essential Ingredient

by | Sep 25, 2018 | Boonshaft's Blog

When our students start to feel frustrated by that which doesn’t come easy, by that which is a profound challenge, by that which makes them question their efforts, I can think of no better lesson, no better words than those of Eloise Ristad when she wrote, “…it is...
#66 …To Awaken…

#66 …To Awaken…

by | Sep 18, 2018 | Boonshaft's Blog

When you think of what we do, and remember the words of Albert Einstein when he stated: “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” It is humbling. It is daunting. It is almost overwhelming. But it is also inspiring and...
#65. Let Them Hear The Difference

#65. Let Them Hear The Difference

by | Sep 11, 2018 | Boonshaft's Blog

I am convinced that half the problem with teaching students in a band is that many of them have a very distorted vantage point from which they hear the group, by nature of where they are seated. Things like ensemble balance, section balance, layers of compositional...
#64. Start A Good Habit

#64. Start A Good Habit

by | May 23, 2018 | Boonshaft's Blog

As I look out at my students while rehearsing, I so often see bad habits reveal themselves. And what gets me is that I have mentioned those bad habits over and over and over. It can be debilitating. When I take the time to think about why this is happening, I usually...
#63. Pacing

#63. Pacing

by | May 15, 2018 | Boonshaft's Blog

I like a fast-paced rehearsal. No, I love a fast-paced rehearsal. I think I can keep my students awake and energized better, and get more done in less time. But that’s me. I also know that a moderately-paced rehearsal can no doubt be wonderfully effective, and that a...