PRACTICE TIPS

For helping your musician achieve success in practice

1. Give your musician a place to practice. Allow them to play uninterrupted in a quiet place that is accommodating and comfortable.

2. Expect them to practice in a regular manner with quality work. It is a wise thing to discuss music often with your child, as well as to set aside time in the day designated solely to practice. This schedule should be firm but flexible to changing events. For the Debut and Academy musicians, students should practice at least half an hour a day, five to six days a week. For Conservatory musicians, students should practice 45 minutes to an hour per day. It should be understood that additional musical involvement (i.e. private lessons, school) may require more practice time. Being in SOGO is a responsibility, and we expect the musicians to put in the necessary time to adequately learn and prepare their music. Sometimes orchestra parts will be difficult enough to require outside help. It should also be noted that the quality of practice is valued, not the quantity.

Additionally, it is a smart decision to play classical music in the musicians’ environment as much as possible because it acts as a catalyst for successful learning as well as interest in the arts. Classical King FM 98.1 in Seattle (streaming online at King.org) is a great source of classical music. Saturday evenings King FM offers NPR’s “From the Top”, a showcase of young talent in America.

3. Be aware there are different ways to practice. Musicians can break down pieces by aspect, and learn and work on those aspects separately. Additionally, practice can include studying a part, studying music theory, and so on. When possible, buy recordings of current pieces so the musician can listen and understand the composition of the piece. Auditory learning is essential to becoming a better musician, and will assist in the success of practice.

4. Keep open communications about practicing. Rehearsing can involve a lot of emotions, positive and negative. Thus, it is necessary to be open to talking about it as much as the student wants. Understand where your musician is coming from. They can feel a lot of pressure from rehearsals, peers, school, etc. Understand that you are there to help your musician succeed, not to force them. Sometimes, you will need to find out what motivates your musician, but at the same time, by practicing, your student is showing self-motivation, as well as maturity.

~Compiled by Student Board

Conductors

CAMERON MAY is Music Director of SOGO and the SPSCC Symphony Orchestra at South Puget Sound Community College. Mr. May received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He continues to maintain his violin playing through his position as Assistant Principal Second Violin with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra. When not conducting, teaching, or playing violin, Mr. May can be found reading on his back porch, walking in the woods, or going out of his way to chase after Amtrak trains.

GREG ALLISON is the Artistic Director and conductor of the SOGO Brass Choir and Academy Orchestra. He received his B.A. and M.A. in Music Education from Western Washington University where he studied trumpet with the late William D. Cole. Mr. Allison taught instrumental music in the Olympia School District for 40 years and is now retired. Besides telling jokes, Mr. Allison pastors a small church and is learning to play piano.

DAN CRAIG is Conductor of the SOGO Debut Orchestra and the Director of Bands for the Napavine School District. He received his BA in both Music Education and Tuba Performance from Central Washington University and earned his MS in Curriculum and Instruction. Mr. Craig is an award-winning tuba player, performing regularly throughout the region. He is a member of the Evergreen Brass Ensemble, the Northwest Wind Symphony, St. Martins Wind Ensemble, and the SPSCC Symphony Orchestra at South Puget Sound Community College. Mr. Craig is extremely excited to be conducting the Debut Orchestra and is looking forward to a great season of music-making!

LIZ WARD is the Assistant Conductor of the Brass Choir. Ms. Ward received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington and a Master of Musical Arts degree from Yale School of Music. She is a private teacher and manages the Evergreen Brass Quintet.