When you think about it, the majority of my practice as an orchestral musician is witnessed.
My performance practice (concerts) happen in public. Sometimes my rehearsal practice – as part of the ensemble – is open to the public. Even when its not, it’s always witnessed by my colleagues. Even most of my solo practice is witnessed – by my family. Before that, by my roommates. Back at the beginning, by my mom, dad, sister and brother – the original witnesses to my practice (the stories they can tell!)
All of my lessons were witnessed.
My ‘business of orchestral music’ practice – governance stuff, committee work – is all witnessed to some degree or another.
Having witnesses has played a big part in the development of my practice.
Lately I’ve been focusing on the thinking part of my practice. It’s the part that wrestles with aesthetic, organizational and social frameworks. The part that wrestles with how and where to locate orchestras – and myself as an orchestral musician – within those frameworks.
I’ve been thinking that having witnesses to this part of my practice will only improve it. Thanks to a kind invitation from Doug McLennan, this blog gives me both a project and a space to do that.
Like the rest of my practice, this is a work in progress – thanks for witnessing it.
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