....when you are done practicing! I hear so many students say "if I keep my clarinet put together I will practice more". Once you've had a few lessons, it will take you less than a minute to put your clarinet together.....yes, even if you have to use cork grease! Keeping your clarinet assembled is really NOT a good idea. Why? It can get damaged VERY easily. Bent keys, broken mouthpiece, dust, dirt......do you have a pet, or a young sibling? Also the tenon corks (betwe

Sharon Clarinet Ensemble performance 2025 May and June can be the busiest months of the year for parents and students and also music teachers who are preparing their students for recitals and auditions. I will be presenting a Spring Chamber Music Program in collaboration with flutist and music educator Yulia Berry on May 9, 2026 at The First Baptist Church in Sharon. The program will feature our students in a variety of pieces for flute and clarinet including arrangements o

Canton Community Band My best High School memories are those of band and orchestra. I was a member of the band, select band, marching band, orchestra and even a jazz orchestra called Studio Orchestra. We were a close knit group of students whose dedication showed in our many performances. Marching Band highlights included a performance in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and a parade on "Main Street" in Disney World. Studio Orchestra gave us the opportunity to

May and June are the months when Boston and Rhode Island youth ensembles are holding auditions for membership into next fall's groups. You may have heard students and parents discussing BYSO or MYWE or RIPYWE. These ensembles are quite competitive and students need to prepare very well prior to the auditions. In general, students will be asked to play scales, repertoire showing contrasting musical styles and sight reading. Each ensemble has specific audition requirements, so

Get Focused for your practice session Set up in a quiet room away from distractions - turn off the computer, TV, cell phone. Gather all of your equipment (instrument, music, reeds, pencil, metronome, etc.) before you begin to practice so that you won’t have to stop to get something (like a pencil) once you have begun. Position your music stand high enough so that your head remains level as you are reading the music. If you are sitting, use a chair that has a hard, flat seat (

The more you bring to your lesson, the more you will get out of it. The obvious - “Practice” - is the first thing that comes to mind. Certainly, the more time you spend working on your own during the week, the further we will be able to progress in your lesson. However, there are other things to consider in having a great lesson - whether you have practiced a lot or just a little. Reeds. Make sure you have several reeds in your case at all times - used reeds and also new r