Rehearsing & Performing

It is the end of the semester here at the University of Houston, Moores School of Music and the end of a busy time with many student recitals/concerts/... This has really led me to want to share with my students some more thoughts about rehearsing and performing...

There are so many beautiful things that happen as we prepare for a meaningful concert, audition and competition!

For me, this is the idea I want to cultivate in my practice and rehearsing is:

Many times the most beautiful, magical, significant moments in music making happen in the rehearsing and practicing for the concert, audition or competition.
There are also times when you will have these meaningful moments, in the concerts and you may even experience a whole concert like that sometimes too!

Most likely, especially when you are beginning to give recitals and concerts, you practice and rehearse much, much, more than you perform. This is a very fertile place to experience the music, to grow your awareness, increase your value of music itself, and the pure enjoyment of music making... with yourself and your music friends, colleagues.

So...  to learn to appreciate, give thanks, and value the rehearsing and practicing, as much as the final event. To find meaning, joy and significance in the whole process of being a musician! That how we get there matters as much as the getting there :-)
I would love for my students to place as much awareness, value and enjoyment on their practice and rehearsing as they do their performances, auditions and competitions...

And... when one does this an amazing thing happens in the performance, audition and compettions.... freedom, and enjoyment...

Heartfully,

~Jennifer