Advice from Yamaha Master Educator Craig Kirchhoff
Technique is Secondary to the Music
In the spring of 1973, I took my high school band to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a clinic session with H. Robert Reynolds, then Director of Bands at the University of Wisconsin.
Forty-four years later I can still recall the repertoire that that my band — the John Marshall Junior-Senior High School Symphonic Band — performed that morning: Second Suite in F by Gustav Holst, Trauersinfonie by Richard Wagner, and American Salute.
Following our short performance and Bob’s hour-long clinic, he escorted me to lunch. I was surprised and touched to find him extremely complimentary about the band and our performance. I specifically remember him commenting upon the band’s excellent intonation, ensemble, control of articulation, dynamics, balance and technical facility.
I was feeling quite elated about Bob’s positive evaluation until he looked at me, paused for what seemed to be an eternity, and said the following: “Now that you have accomplished all of this, when are you going to start worrying about the music?”
At that moment, the earth seemed to stand still.
I can attest to the fact that it was a very long and conflicted 90-mile bus ride back to Milwaukee. That day changed my entire philosophy about teaching and band conducting. Today, that startling moment of revelation continually reminds me of the daily challenge in rehearsal to remember that technique must always be the “servant,” and music the “master.”
This article originally appeared in the 2017 V2 issue of Yamaha SupportED. To see more back issues, find out about Yamaha resources for music educators, or sign up to be notified when the next issue is available, click here.