So today's posting comes from questions I often get from students: what do I REALLY need to know to be a musician? The problem is that it is hard to make students see the big picture of what they need to be proficient in. This question also comes up when other people (students and teachers) look at the load that my students have compared to other students in our music program. So here is what my students have to do every semester:

1) Read an assigned book dealing with some specific topic in music (performance, practice, history of their instrument etc.)

2) Listen and fill out forms on 10 different pieces (at least one of which must be jazz, 1 other instrument than percussion, 1 orchestral and the rest percussion). This form includes info. on the recording and notes on the performance.

3) Fill out a composition research form of every work they study. This includes program notes, composer bio. and info., dates etc.

4) 3 research projects (drawn from a hat): a) history of a specific percussion instrument; b) information on a specific composer or performer; c) information on a specific work. When everyone from the studio has done these projects they are compiled and copied for everyone else to keep for future reference.

Beyond this of course are the "usual" ensemble and lesson requirements. Now, what I find odd is that I am sometimes questioned for making the students do all of these projects that are "extra". My belief is that to be a successful musician knowing the notes and rhythms of a few specific pieces is not enough. Music is an art, and as such has to be studied from many different angles. You have to know the history, the technique, and the "rules" of composition. Without this knowledge everything you do will be superficial. One must be consumed by music! The main thing is that the focus must be on all aspects of MUSIC. I am afraid that too many programs are now becoming obsessed with portfolios and rubrics and forgetting that much of our great music pre-dates all of these "improvements" to education. So let's do more to study the actual art-form instead.