by Peter Boonshaft | Dec 5, 2023 | Boonshaft's Blog
In last week’s blog, I offered some thoughts about common issues that arise when rehearsing a full orchestra. What follows are other problems that we often encounter when we combine winds, percussion, and strings into that glorious medium. How They Produce Sound. Put...
by Peter Boonshaft | Nov 28, 2023 | Boonshaft's Blog
Every band director is aware of the usual concerns when refining a wind band performance. Likewise, every string teacher is familiar with the stumbling blocks of producing a polished performance for their string orchestra. Often though, issues arise when we work...
by Peter Boonshaft | Nov 14, 2023 | Boonshaft's Blog
Most anything used once has an impact. But used too often, and that very same thing loses its intensity and power. Basically, the more we see or hear something, the more we tend to ignore it and not pay attention to it. That is certainly true, abundantly true, when it...
by Peter Boonshaft | Nov 7, 2023 | Boonshaft's Blog
One of the most important aspects of a good warm-up exercise is that it isolates the concept being addressed. So often I hear an ensemble play an exercise that is meant to help teach balance, blend, intonation, dynamics, and articulation all at the same time. An...
by Peter Boonshaft | Oct 31, 2023 | Boonshaft's Blog
Though we all know the incredible value of doing warm-up and ensemble development exercises with our ensembles, when I ask teachers why they don’t spend more time doing them, the answer is most often one word: percussion. The recurring question is, “What do I do with...
by Peter Boonshaft | Oct 24, 2023 | Boonshaft's Blog
Some years ago, I noticed that I had developed a bad habit on the podium. I was using the word “okay” all the time. It drove me nuts. I’m guessing it drove my students nuts too. I just couldn’t stop myself. I tried putting sticky notes on my...