I share the musical experience with adults and children:
- Pre-concert talks to describe the music being played
- Relating music to other aspects of life and learning
- General discussions about books and music
Pre-concert talks
When a piece of music is unfamiliar to an audience, a description of the piece can enhance the experience of the performance. Listening can actually become an active part of the creative process through recognition and making connections. Even when a piece is very familiar, the best pieces often leave something new to be discovered with each hearing.
These talks present music in the historical context of both music and the world at large. With many recorded excerpts, the audience is led to discover how a piece has been assembled and musical moments tied together. It is not necessary for people to have been trained in music to be able to see and enjoy the creative energies of the composer.
I have given many pre-concert talks under the auspices of Symphony NH and local libraries, and I am expanding this program during the 2015-2016 season.
Relating music to other aspects of life and learning
While pre-concert talks are targeted to specific musical works, there is a more general relationship between music and other domains. Although learning is not solely a childhood activity, children are very inquisitive and receptive to learning about connections. Music can lead to a discussion of geography and history (the context of a composer), language (vocal music), math (counting), physics (how are sounds created), and even cooperation and collaboration (ensembles).
I have done presentations to children under the aegis of Symphony NH and spent time as a community mentor with the El Sistema music exploration program in Somerville, MA.
For a brief presentation about the Double Bass and my playing with Symphony NH, please take a look at this video: Robert Bass Symphony NH.
Talking about music, books, and other things
It’s always interesting to see the cross-pollination of art forms. Poetry and drama can be incorporated into music (songs and operas), and music can inspire literature. I have led both public and privately arranged discussions of music and the art of the book. A long example of this can be found here: Novel Songs in which I discuss Patrick Neate’s Twelve Bar Blues with host Catherine Maldonado.