03/28/2021
A new addition to Westfield this semester is the department-wide studio class that meets in person on Wednesdays and remotely on Fridays for students who are not on campus. “In studio class we try to create an environment where students feel encouraged to share music with others as they practice the art of performing and commenting on the performances of others. We also take the opportunity to discuss issues in performance and the details of specific instruments” says Dr. Peter Coutsouridis, a professor of percussion, theory and co-teacher of the studio class. “We also work on being able to take/receive constructive criticism from our peers” says Dr. Ed Orgill, one of Westfield’s saxophone professors also co-teacher to the studio class.
Having been remote for over a year at this point, being able to hear live music again is a blessing on its’ own… even the short chamber pieces and etudes customarily presented by the students each week. As trombonist so eloquently puts it, “When I play in this class, I don’t see it necessarily as performing music for everyone, but rather as I’m sharing it with everyone.” From the perspective of a musician, this mindset really takes the edge off performing (easier said than done!) … but it’s also great food for thought – why do we share our music with one another? There are a million answers, none better than the other. Bottom line – music is too beautiful not to be shared with one another. As musicians, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that our ability to share music is truly a gift that we should not take for granted.
