Then, on Saturdays, we apply what we learned on Tuesday and see what the other sections did, as well.īeing in Merit’s Conservatory allows me to have a creative outlet. Because I’m the section leader this year, I conduct the sectionals, evaluate our progress, and make plans for next week. For the sectional, I identify sections in the pieces where we have problems, such as timing issues and synchronicity. Next, I head to my Wind Symphony rehearsal and sectional. Students who study percussion in Conservatory have to learn all of the percussion instruments, so it’s fun to be able to use all of them in Sticks & Stones. Right now, we’re learning a piece called Cannon Fodder, in which we use chimes, toms, scrap metal, and wooden slats. After that, I have my practice for Sticks & Stones, Merit’s percussion quartet. I also come to Merit’s building on Tuesday nights for my private piano lesson with Ms. As a reward for my hard work, a cookie is waiting for me in the car. My Conservatory day is finished, and my parents pick me up. In Philharmonic, our ensemble director Mr. Then, the other percussionists and I move a bunch of instruments into Merit’s performance space, Gottlieb Hall, to prepare for Merit Philharmonic rehearsal-Conservatory’s largest orchestra with up to 65 string, wind, brass, and percussion students. I also make sure I eat a big breakfast since my lunch is so late! This is my first break in the day, so I make the most of my time because I only have a short time to eat. Right after Percussion Ensemble ends, I have lunch. Here’s another piece I’m currently working on, Beethoven’s “Sonata No. Elena Doubovitskaya and from my peers. Getting feedback from others is such an important part of the learning process! After my performance, I got helpful comments from Ms. Today, I’m playing “L’isle Joyeuse”, a piece that Debussy composed in the early 1900s. It really helps us appreciate the pieces we learn.Īside from presentations, we often play for each other and offer constructive criticism. Giving these presentations allows us to spend time taking an in-depth look at the composer and interesting facts about the piece. In today’s class, another Conservatory student gave a great presentation on Mendelssohn’s “Rondo Capriccioso”. He describes his gigs as a pit percussionist, and he even shows us some videos of him playing.Īcross the hall is my next class, Piano Forum-a dedicated time for all Conservatory pianists to perform for one another, critique performances, offer presentations on composers and repertoire, and enjoy masterclasses from Merit faculty and visiting guest artists. For example, he was a substitute for “Wicked” when it was still in Chicago.

Brandon Podjasek told us about his career as a percussionist. Sometimes our teachers or guest artists perform too. After Wind Symphony, my fellow percussionists and I head to Percussion Forum where we deep dive into specific topics-sometimes we work on technique for a certain type of percussion instrument, while other times we perform for our peers and get feedback.

Once upon a december pianoduet