• Work with Gretchen
  • Bio
  • E-book
    • Goal-oriented Practice
      • Book intro
      • Book review
      • Book T of C, p. 1
      • Book T of C, p. 2
  • Review
  • Pictures
  • About me
  • Contact form
  • My career path
  • What they’re saying

Gretchen Saathoff

~ Collaborative Pianist/Vocal Coach ~ forging partnerships, making memorable music together

Category Archives: ethics

How to hire a sub

16 Friday May 2014

Posted by GretchensPianos in career, chorus, collaboration, ethics, gigs, integrity, music, new experience, on the road, pianist, piano, responsibility, singing, something new, Thank you!, the unexpected, work

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

The Hartt School

Tuesday

Tuesday (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On a recent Tuesday, The Hartt School had a makeup lesson day for voice students.  The goal was to help everyone get what they needed after encountering two snow days earlier in the semester.

My colleagues and I were asked to be available during our regular Tuesday schedules.  The voice teachers had different students at “our” times, but it all worked out.  We juggled.

As it turned out, the other pianists and I saw each other in our “office” more than usual.  We have no office, so we talk, look at music, make phone calls, have lunch, etc., in the hallway.

Sometime during the afternoon, Matthew, one of my colleagues, took a seat on a bench near me.  He asked, “What are you doing on May 27th?”  His question surprised me, because I live in MA, not CT.

I said, “Nothing,” without looking at my schedule.  School would be over for the summer, so I was pretty sure.  Then I inquired into why he was asking.

“I need a sub for a children’s choir dress rehearsal.” “I live in MA, you know.”  He gets it.  His sister just graduated from UMass.  He has been here many times, and knows it involves time to commute.

“How much is your transportation?” So I told him.

“I’ll send you the music ahead of time, and pay your transportation plus the rehearsal fee.”

Of course I said “Yes!”

And that, my friends, is the way to hire a sub!

Thanks so much, Matt!  I’m happy to help, and look forward to meeting a new conductor!

Related articles

  • New job! (gretchenspianos.com)
Enhanced by Zemanta

Back to top

Share

  • Print
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

“I owe it all to my bassoon teacher” and other important links

15 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by GretchensPianos in article, ethics, focus, health, learning, links, listening, music, new insights, priorities, process, repetition, teaching, tools

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

articles, arts, Arts Journal, audio, funding the arts, interview, links, Melissa Block, Minnesota Orchestra, Music, music education, music in the schools, music lessons, New York City Opera, Nobel prize, NPR, The Atlantic, The Lancet, The New York Times

Nobel Prize ceremony at Stockholm City Hall

Nobel Prize ceremony at Stockholm City Hall (Photo credit: Michael Cavén)

The Minnesota Orchestra has disbanded. New York City Opera has performed for the last time. Entire concert series have been discontinued.  Arts in the schools have been cut drastically.

We should all be outraged!


Perhaps that is why the following discussions of the overwhelmingly positive effect of music study have appeared in the media in just the past week:

Nobel medicine winner says: I owe it all to my bassoon teacher

October 9, 2013 by Norman Lebrecht
Arts Journal

Is Music the Key to Success?

By JOANNE LIPMAN
Published: October 12, 2013
The New York Times

The Band’s Robertson Wants Kids To Know Music’s ‘Legends‘

Interview by Melissa Block
October 14, 2013   4:34 PM
National Public Radio
Audio and transcript

Using music to close the academic gap

LORI MILLER KASE  OCT 9 2013
The Atlantic
via JDW at Piano World

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below! 

Back to top

Share

  • Print
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Ideas that define me

09 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by GretchensPianos in career, ethics, gigs, goals, integrity, listening, personal, practicing, preparation, priorities, responsibility

≈ Leave a comment

Idea - Foster's Chill Head

Idea - Foster's Chill Head (Photo credit: fostersartofchilling)

Thoughts such as these need our attention from time to time.

Integrity

Being clear about the reasons I accept each gig

Preparedness

Learning the music before the first rehearsal

Engagement

Interest in the rehearsal, listening throughout

Current knowledge

Listening to what’s out there, reading articles and reviews

Current skills

Practicing to maintain an edge

Life balance

I try!  Doing a variety of things is important!

Have you thought about ideas that define you?

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!

E-books

“Goal-oriented Practice: How to Avoid Traps and Become a Confident Performer” gives every musician a fresh perspective!

My book frees up time to learn more music, memorize, or do something else entirely!

“Goal-oriented Practice” is also available in print!

Goal-oriented Practice

sold in 8 countries!

August 2011 review by pianist Robert W. Oliver

Back to top

Share

  • Print
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Update: James Levine adjusts schedule

23 Wednesday Mar 2011

Posted by GretchensPianos in article, career, ethics, health, music

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Boston Globe, BSO, James Levine, New York Times, Tanglewood, Thet Met

Metropolitan Opera

Image via Wikipedia

In looking at his extremely busy conducting schedule vis-a-vis his health, James Levine has made several changes in his schedule.

Articles have appeared in The New York Times and the Boston Globe, providing detailed information about the most recent changes:

You: Levine Cuts Back on Work for the Met (nytimes.com)

James Levine withdraws from remainder of BSO season (boston.com)

Letter: Missing James Levine (nytimes.com)

Previous articles on this blog:

Update: James Levine
14 November 2010
Boston and James Levine
5 October 2010
James Levine, cont. Someone finally said it!
4 August 2010
What’s YOUR story?
12 June 2010
Tanglewood Review: the James Levine Saga, Cont.
13 July 2010

“James Levine Withdraws from Tanglewood”
18 June 2010

More articles of interest:

Classical music news: Does the case of James Levine show that maestros, money and media are too tilted toward celebrity?(welltempered.wordpress.com)

James Levine Cancels Another Performance
(artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com)

Mr. Levine has cancelled more and more frequently over a period of ten years.  With that in mind, I find his recent decision to be a positive for all concerned. Both the Met and the BSO recently made plans for conductors to be available in case of cancellation.

What do you think?  Has this gone on too long?  Or should major institutions be expected to continue to be accommodating at all cost?

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Back to top

E-books ~ take a look!

Goal-oriented Practice 

New review by pianist and conductor Andrei Strizek

When You Buy a Piano

How to Maintain Your Piano

Enhanced by Zemanta

Share

  • Print
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Showing up for tennis ~ what it means for us

30 Sunday Jan 2011

Posted by GretchensPianos in career, ethics, injury, inspiration, integrity, longevity, music, observations, responsibility, the unexpected, work

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Australian Open, bad behavior, Federer, Ferrer, injury, Music, Nadal, professionalism, tennis, Wawrinka

Lazy sleeping barnstar
Image via Wikipedia

Once again, professional tennis illustrates
a relevant point for musicians.

Two of the 2011 Australian Open men’s quarterfinals showed us what type of behavior is expected from professionals and what is unacceptable.

The effects of not showing up

The first example comes from the Roger Federer vs. Stanislas Wawrinka quarterfinal match.

Rod Laver Arena seats over 14,000 people, and appeared to be filled to capacity.  The commentators spoke of the difficulty of obtaining tickets to major events and of their expense.

But Wawrinka wasn’t “there.”  He didn’t “show up” for work!

Smashed racquet ~ Screen shot ~ Wawrinka v. Federer ~ Australian Open 2011 men's quarterfinals

He may have felt intimidated by playing against Federer.  Certainly he could have been fatigued from two previous wins, one of which was a long match.  And this match, played in the daytime, meant dealing with different climate conditions.  According to the commentators, the balls travel faster in warmer temps.

In the bad behavior department, Wawrinka smashed a racquet, resulting in a code violation for racquet abuse; and he lobbed a ball straight up into the air, earning him one of “those looks” from Federer.

The same two players won Olympic gold in Beijing as doubles partners!  What happened?

Commentators spoke at length about what this could mean for Wawrinka’s future.

Next match

Rafael Nadal’s match against David Ferrer was anything but what most spectators, and Nadal himself, had hoped for.  Nadal injured a hamstring in the first set, which adversely affected his playing for the rest of the match.

Nadal devastated by injury ~ Screen shot ~ Nadal v. Ferrer ~ Australian Open 2011 men's quarterfinals

Watching Nadal’s obvious disappointment during the changeovers was so sad.  He cried, looking completely dejected.  His dream of holding four majors in a row had suddenly disappeared.  I didn’t want match point to come.

Rafa’s always professional demeanor

The example Nadal set by finishing the match was something aspiring professionals should take note of.  He was in pain, but never considered withdrawing.* It was obvious, with Ferrer playing his best game and slamming away relentlessly, that Nadal had little or no chance of winning.  But he was there. He played the best he could under the circumstances.

Part of me started feeling angry that Ferrer was playing so aggressively, knowing that Nadal was injured.​  A few Tweeters felt the same way.  But the commentators said that’s exactly what he should have done, and that they had expected the same of Wawrinka the day before.

Of course the Australian Open is a competition, not a chamber music concert.

To Ferrer’s credit, in his post-match interview he said, “​This is one big victory for me, but it’s not like a victory really.  He [Nadal] was playing with injury…  and I had luck.  But I played my game.” 

Nadal was given an incredible standing ovation as he left the court.  And Ferrer ​celebrated on court only briefly.

What does this say for us?

BE THERE

Participate fully, even when:

  • not everyone is at the same level
  • conditions are less than ideal (cold room, sight lines obscured, etc.)
  • the piano is sub-par
  • feeling tired
  • you disagree w/someone’s interpretation
  • you have a problem w/someone’s personality

Merely showing up is never acceptable.

Others in the group need our best effort.

The audience has paid to hear us, some having made quite an effort to get to the concert.

Do you watch sports?  Do you draw parallels with being a musician?  What have you discovered?  Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!

*I do not advocate playing a musical instrument in pain.  However, we would most likely not be injured to this degree during a concert.  Our injuries, as I understand them, are usually cumulative.

What I do advocate is finishing the concert with full participation.  Whining helps no one.

“Goal-oriented Practice” has gained many satisfied readers! Click for great reviews and comments. Buy it now!

Back to top

Enhanced by Zemanta

Share

  • Print
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Tanglewood Review: the James Levine Saga, Cont.

12 Monday Jul 2010

Posted by GretchensPianos in ethics, health, responsibility, review

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

BSO, health, James Levine, Met, review, Tanglewood

Detail of a New York Times Advertisement - 1895
Image via Wikipedia

This excellent review appeared in today’s New York Times.

What do you think about the present tenuous situation concerning James Levine‘s commitments to the BSO and the Met?  Please comment below!

2 related posts

Back to top

Enhanced by Zemanta

Share

  • Print
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Ethics in booking, rehearsing, and performing concerts

13 Saturday Feb 2010

Posted by GretchensPianos in career, ethics, performing, rehearsal

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

collaboration, ethics, Jennifer Larmore, performance, rehearsal, relationships

Avila Cathedral choir
Image by Lawrence OP via Flickr

The ethics of rehearsing and performing can be complicated.  Each situation is different!  That’s what makes collaboration so challenging, and interesting as well.

I’ve encountered various levels of ethical behavior in the many musicians I’ve performed with.  I wanted to provide some examples of what works and what doesn’t.

A Wonderful Example

Jennifer Larmore was one of my classmates at Westminster Choir College.  She was stunning every time she sang, even then.  So I was fascinated by a later broadcast of an oratorio where she was the mezzo-soprano soloist.

On performance day, the soprano soloist wasn’t so great.  Perhaps she was ill ~ there was no way to tell.

When Jennifer and the soprano soloist had a duet, the soprano had significant problems with longer phrases.  And her voice would certainly have been overwhelmed, had Jennifer not been exceptionally aware of the situation and considerate of her colleague.

As it happened, Jennifer listened intently, always balancing the soprano perfectly.  And when the soprano ended her phrases prematurely, Jennifer ended exactly with her, tapering beautifully and sounding like that was her original intent.

I’m sure you’ve heard duets that were out of sync.  It takes a superb artist to make this work when the match is so obviously unequal.

Later in the performance, Jennifer had an opportunity to sing as well as she always does.  Her sound was gorgeous and full, and she could enjoy sustaining long phrases.  What a pleasure to hear her.

Unacceptable Behavior

Have you ever accepted a performance only to get a call about a “better deal?”  What did you do?

I think it is vital to your credibility to keep your original commitment.  If you explain the situation to the “better” presenters, they will call you again.  But if you bail out of your first commitment, your decision affects the presenters (who have already done publicity, mailed brochures, sold tickets, etc.), the audience members (who choose concerts based on the brochure), and the other performers involved in the concert.  One thing is certain:  you won’t be asked back.

Unethical Behavior

♥ I once overheard a violinist at a music festival talking to a cellist in the trio they were assigned to.  The violinist told the cellist very directly that he hated his playing!  I was appalled.

This was a temporary situation, lasting only for a week or two.  First of all, telling someone you don’t like their playing is often heard personally.  You don’t like the player. Artists are their art.  It is very difficult to separate the two.  And secondly, people can always find a way to work together for the duration of one concert.

♥ On another occasion, my trio was about to walk onstage for a performance.  The house manager had already dimmed the lights, which was our signal.  No problem, right?  Except that the violinist wasn’t there!

I found him in an electrical equipment room, away from the stage.  So we entered late for our own concert.  That, to my mind, is unacceptable.

Thoughts on How to Keep it Ethical

A comment from Martin Katz comes to mind:  If a singer is not adding ornaments, then you should accommodate her/him by not adding ornaments, either.  It’s not your job to upstage anyone.

If you need a day or two to think about a possible commitment, then say so!  Presenters I have spoken with are happy as long as you provide a clear date when you can get back to them.  But don’t keep them waiting for weeks.  They get ticked off, and you could very easily lose the concert.

Knowing What to Accept

♥ Most important:  know your strengths.

Include in this list skills you could learn quickly.  For example, if you are a pianist, learning to play synthesizer would most likely be easy.  But harpsichord?  Organ?  Fortepiano?

You may be asked to do any of the following:

  • improvise
  • play from figured bass
  • play chorus parts
  • play from open score (no piano reduction)
  • transpose an instrumental solo (i.e., viola) while also reading chorus parts
  • play from a lead sheet
  • play jazz, gospel, blues, or soul
  • conduct
  • lead a sectional rehearsal
  • transpose an entire piece
  • make up an intro, interlude, or postlude
  • add a descant
  • add ornaments

and other skills that haven’t occurred to me yet!

Do you know a variety of styles?  Can you play by ear?  Do you need to have the music written out?

Okay, you get the idea.  Now answer the phone!  Then show up well-prepared and early.

Comments about your experiences are welcome!!!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Continue reading →

Share

  • Print
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Would you like to save practice time and learn more music faster? Subscribe for free!

RSS Feed RSS - Posts

RSS Feed RSS - Comments

Gretchen Saathoff

Collaborative Pianist/Vocal Coach

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive FREE notifications of new posts by email.

Search this blog

http://www.wikio.com
Follow @GretchensPianos

NEW! LOWER PRICE!

Pages

  • Work with Gretchen
  • Bio
  • E-book
    • Goal-oriented Practice
      • Book intro
      • Book review
      • Book T of C, p. 1
      • Book T of C, p. 2
  • Review
  • Pictures
  • About me
  • Contact form
  • My career path
  • What they’re saying

Contact Me

Please use the Contact Form above.

Top Posts

  • Piano Glasses
  • PianoAnd: The lid. Full stick, half stick, or none at all?*
  • How to learn piano and organ fugues
  • How a piano technique book changed my playing forever
  • 7 Stretches to beat "Piano Back"

Blogroll

  • All Piano
  • All Things Strings
  • Arts Journal
  • Carolyn Donnell
  • Chamber Music Today
  • Chamber Musician Today
  • Christopher O'Riley
  • Clef Notes
  • Crosseyed Pianist
  • Divergence Vocal Theater
  • Everything Opera
  • Geraldine in a Bottle
  • Get Classical
  • Global Mysteries
  • Good Company
  • Hell Mouth
  • Horn Matters
  • If it Ain't Baroque
  • Interchanging Idioms
  • Katerina Stamatelos
  • Marion Harrington
  • Metaphysics and Whimsy
  • Music Matters
  • Music Teach ,n. Tech
  • Musical Assumptions
  • My Life at the Piano
  • Noble Viola
  • Oboe Insight
  • Once More With Feeling
  • Operagasm
  • Pedal Points
  • Pianists from the Inside
  • Piano Addict
  • Pianorama
  • Practising the Piano
  • Rachel Velarde
  • Speaking of Pianists
  • Spirit Lights the Way
  • Stephen Hough
  • Susan Tomes
  • The Buzzing Reed
  • The Collaborative Piano Blog
  • The Glass
  • The Mahatma Candy Project
  • The Musician's Way
  • The Orchestra Pit — Musical Theater Piano Central
  • The Piano Files
  • The Rest is Noise
  • The Teaching Studio
  • Think Denk
  • Tubahead
  • Under the Piano Stool

Resources

  • "Rational Principles of Pianoforte Technique" by Alfred Cortot FREE DOWNLOAD!
  • The Whole-Hearted Musician

web site

  • Digital Piano Review Guide
  • El Sistema USA
  • Ergo LCD Corp, Ergonomic Specialists
  • J.S. Bach Foundation
  • Jason Coffey, baritone
  • Piano Buddies
  • The Human Solution
  • Website Marketing

article career collaboration concert directed practice distractions focus goals health learning listening music new approach new experience performing piano practice practicing preparation priorities process progress rehearsal singing teaching the unexpected tools Uncategorized variety work
NetworkedBlogs
Blog:
Gretchens Pianos
Topics:
piano, music, collaboration
 
Follow my blog

Archives

  • September 2016 (1)
  • April 2016 (1)
  • January 2016 (2)
  • December 2015 (1)
  • November 2015 (1)
  • August 2015 (1)
  • July 2015 (4)
  • June 2015 (7)
  • May 2015 (9)
  • March 2015 (5)
  • February 2015 (1)
  • January 2015 (3)
  • December 2014 (1)
  • November 2014 (1)
  • October 2014 (5)
  • August 2014 (4)
  • July 2014 (3)
  • June 2014 (6)
  • May 2014 (17)
  • April 2014 (1)
  • March 2014 (1)
  • January 2014 (4)
  • December 2013 (4)
  • November 2013 (2)
  • October 2013 (2)
  • September 2013 (7)
  • August 2013 (5)
  • June 2013 (3)
  • May 2013 (6)
  • April 2013 (3)
  • March 2013 (6)
  • February 2013 (2)
  • January 2013 (2)
  • December 2012 (2)
  • November 2012 (5)
  • October 2012 (8)
  • September 2012 (5)
  • August 2012 (6)
  • July 2012 (6)
  • June 2012 (4)
  • May 2012 (10)
  • April 2012 (9)
  • March 2012 (9)
  • February 2012 (8)
  • January 2012 (9)
  • December 2011 (8)
  • November 2011 (24)
  • October 2011 (14)
  • September 2011 (10)
  • August 2011 (10)
  • July 2011 (8)
  • June 2011 (7)
  • May 2011 (11)
  • April 2011 (13)
  • March 2011 (15)
  • February 2011 (13)
  • January 2011 (16)
  • December 2010 (10)
  • November 2010 (15)
  • October 2010 (16)
  • September 2010 (6)
  • August 2010 (8)
  • July 2010 (14)
  • June 2010 (16)
  • May 2010 (25)
  • April 2010 (11)
  • March 2010 (25)
  • February 2010 (4)
  • January 2010 (4)
  • December 2009 (3)
  • November 2009 (4)
  • October 2009 (9)
  • September 2009 (5)
  • August 2009 (5)
  • July 2009 (29)
  • June 2009 (40)
  • May 2009 (23)
  • April 2009 (20)

Copyright Notice

All posts are copyrighted by Gretchen Saathoff and may be used only by permission of the author.

Search Engine Optimization and SEO Tools
Submit Your Site To The Web's Top 50 Search Engines for Free!

Free SEO Meta Tags Generator

Blog Catalog Blog Directory
Active Search Results
Quickregister.net Link And Article Directory

Would you like to save practice time and learn more music faster? Subscribe for free!

RSS Feed RSS - Posts

RSS Feed RSS - Comments

Official PayPal Seal

Blog at WordPress.com.

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
Cancel
%d bloggers like this: