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October 12, 2001 I wanted to share with you and with all the American Brass Quintet members the tremendous enthusiasm and praise expressed by students and faculty who attended your concert, class, and open rehearsal. The concert was as good as chamber music gets, on any instrument. Although our community is by no means a reputed hub of art and culture you conveyed the same dedicated musical intensity I felt at your recent International Trumpet Guild conference performance. Your manner and resourcefulness as teachers especially impressed me. You found complimentary things to say which truly and appropriately encouraged the student quintet you coached. And criticism was offered as if you were addressing future professionals. I assure you the students left feeling empowered, anxious to get to the next rehearsal. They also left with very specific aims for improving preparation of their repertoire. There is some uncertainty anticipating a clinic by consummate artists, whether they will be able or willing to relate to formative levels of music performance, whether they will be pretentious or brutally critical. Each of you is in fact genuinely interested in teaching. Imagine having the guest clinician's make the hosts feel "at home." All questions were "good" questions. Your comments enhanced mental focus and ease resulting in immediate improvement for the student performers. And as a faculty trumpet performer, it was truly a peak experience to witness the razor sharp listening skills exercised in your open rehearsals. You worked very hard, never showing a hint of lagging energy or interest during your stay. It was way beyond anybody's expectations. Thank you! Sincerely yours, Britt Theurer |
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