Monday, May 16, 2022 by Bonnie Synhorst | Uncategorized

One of the things that I really love to do as a musician is make music with others.  Not only is it fun and rewarding, it provides many opportunities to learn and grow as a musician.  

Music is a TEAM sport—don’t believe it?  When was the last time you went to a band or choir concert or played or sang in one?  With the exception of when individuals had solos, were you focused on one individual performer or the group as a whole?  

You may not have given a lot of thought to the subject, but in a group the parts are designed to fit together like pieces of a puzzle.  Every piece is important and they all come together as one to make a wonderful picture or performance!  But of course it’s a bit more complicated than that as, sometimes individuals must learn to step back and support the other players as the other parts take the lead as well as learn how to still blend with the other parts when their part does take the lead.

When working together, rhythms and notes must be in sync so students learn to look and think ahead to what is coming next.  After all, they wouldn’t want to not be playing the supporting part and let their partners down.  Therefore, students usually work harder to complete their pieces and play them more fluently.

Students learn valuable skills in listening as well as detailed counting. Students that are more accustomed to using their eyes to determine where they are in the music must engage their ears more to hear how the other parts fit with their part.  Students that are more accustomed to listening only have to engage their eyes more to see where their part does or doesn’t match the other person’s part.  They also have to problem solve when the brain doesn’t remember quick enough and look and listen to determine how to get back on track while the train is still moving.

Preparing for an ensemble recital is both invigorating and stressful, but the benefits gained outweigh all the challenges.

I’m both excited and nervous about our upcoming ensemble recital!  But I always tell the students that when we are doing things that are hard and a bit uncomfortable, we are learning and growing.  So let’s embrace it and keep pushing forward!