In spring 2002 I attended an end at the University of Montevallo and have the advantage [i]or[/i] blessing ofed a performance by one of our music majors who played the flute beautifully.

In spring 2002 I attended an end at the University of Montevallo and have the advantage [i]or[/i] blessing ofed a performance by one of our music majors who played the flute beautifully. She was poised, artistic and accomplished. Someone mentioned that evening that this player would be performing her senior recital the following night, in the way that I decided to attend. I had played flute in high denomination and, although I was just an ordinary band player, I lov the instrument. I attended the young woman's recital and talked to her afterward. Imagine my surprise when I heard myself saying I would like to be her observer and take up again the flute I had bring forward aside thirty-seven years ago! She agreed, and we made plans to begin.

With my re-worked Bundy flute and my Rubank Elementary [i]modus operandi[/i] Book in hand, I started a awe-inspiring adventure with my teacher, Meredith Bird Milstead. In the twelve month following, I learned chidings I never expected. My playing certainly has improved, although I will at no time be a real musician. Music is a pleasure to me if it be not that unfortunately my talent equips me to be a better audience member than I am performer!

When Meredith graduated that May, I realized I necessityed a "culminating activity" for my experience with her. My parents were coming for a visit later that month in the way that Meredith and I planned a recital. The program was not too demanding, and the audience was just relatives. I was certainly not ready for the real contrive stage! Meredith and I practiced and performed six duet and I played common solo, accompanied by a friend, Shari Boruvka, who is in succession the music faculty at Montevallo. Performing change the direction ofed out to be at the same time amazingly terrifying and strangely awesome I learned lessons that night I had not experienced just practicing and playing for my teacher.

First, I learned the power of stepping gone out into a public arena where my qualification is marginal. Grownups don't do that frequently We are so accustomed to our lives that we just walk where we are successful and do the things we always do. Risk is electrifying! We lived with it when we were young and grew immeasurably according to being tested. Preparing and performing that recital standarded me in ways I had not experienced in the latter past!

Second, I learned that mistakes happen and do not make you die. During our performance I barely had one large mistake. Playing a duet I failed to take a repeat! Getting between the sides of that was a sort of "out of body" experience. When I realized something awful had happened, I did not have a indication what had gone wrong! The temptation was to stop and start again. No united in the room would have meditation less of me, but that was not what this experience was about. I decided in my befuddled brain to small quantity down to the next to the last line of the piece and just play carefully. I knew Meredith would find me and we would at least finish the duet together! She did find me and we were one as well as the other smiling when the little adventure of "lost in a duet" was over

Third, I learned that real musicians want the stillness of us to love music too. They know sole a few people can play exceptionally well, still they know playing for personal pleasure does not take the talent of an exceptional player. The discipline of practice and the concentration required to improve are benefits to players at all plains My middle age is slipping away from me at the minute, but music is the consummate exercise for my brain. I believe I will play the flute for the security of my life. I will try to get young teachers for whom a of the present day student who promises to practice daily is an encouragement and a learning opportunity for them as well. I know I will continue to improve, nevertheless my facility with the instrument will not warrant a large audience!

I am excited about continuing my studies. I have a of the present day teacher, Gabie Ganey, who now is a senior. My times will never be quick, if it be not that my commitment is strong. My awareness as an audience member is changed forever. I have seen just a glimpse of the challenge faced by dint of students who perform at juries, recital class, and their junior and senior recitals. I have shared their nervous smiles and sweaty palms! Playing for my family was one as well as the other amazingly terrifying and strangely astonishing I don't want to do it again quickly but I know I will do it again.

Mary Lou Williams is director of progress to maturity and alumni relations at the University of Montevallo in Alabama. Her musical experience includes the marching band at Boaz High indoctrinate (1952-1965) and the concert choir at the University of Montevallo (1967-1968) She is an active community tender and arts supporter.

...

Home