MASTER CLASSES FOR DODDS-EUROPE HONORS BAND
BY JOEL A HELSTON, KAISERSLAUTERN HIGH SCHOOL
For many years, DoDDS-Europe Honors Music festivals have provided thousands of high school students with ensemble performance experiences. These students have left these festivals with a better understanding of performing in an ensemble that reaches a higher standard of playing that many do not receive at their current duty stations. In April 2015, members of the Honors Music Festival wanted to give students not only an ensemble experience but sectional experience that they could hopefully take with them after they left.
With a Grant provided by the European Music Education Association (EMEA), we were able to search and sponsor professional musicians from the Kaiserslautern community to provide a Master class for all sections of the concert band. These musicians are educated performers with experiences ranging in the USAFE-Ensemble to professional orchestra/solo experience.
All student sections received invaluable lessons on their instruments. Topics covered in the master classes ranged from tone building, articulation and flexibility exercises, and even general instrument maintenance. These sectionals also provided many students with the chance to talk with professional musicians about careers and opportunities in the music field.
As a byproduct of this experience provided by EMEA, students began the honors festival getting to know their sections. They were able to warm-up, review, and learn a number of new exercises that they were able to take away with them. They also met with professional musicians with a non-bias view of DoDDS that were able to provide them with instrumental and musical support.
With a Grant provided by the European Music Education Association (EMEA), we were able to search and sponsor professional musicians from the Kaiserslautern community to provide a Master class for all sections of the concert band. These musicians are educated performers with experiences ranging in the USAFE-Ensemble to professional orchestra/solo experience.
All student sections received invaluable lessons on their instruments. Topics covered in the master classes ranged from tone building, articulation and flexibility exercises, and even general instrument maintenance. These sectionals also provided many students with the chance to talk with professional musicians about careers and opportunities in the music field.
As a byproduct of this experience provided by EMEA, students began the honors festival getting to know their sections. They were able to warm-up, review, and learn a number of new exercises that they were able to take away with them. They also met with professional musicians with a non-bias view of DoDDS that were able to provide them with instrumental and musical support.