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Choosing The Right School, The Campus Visit and The Music Community - 5 Essential Parts of The Application Process: Part 2
Choosing The Right School, The Campus Visit and The Music Community - 5 Essential Parts of The Application Process: Part 2

Choosing the right school is more than just the name of the institution on a certificate or degree. There are a number of factors one must consider, including receiving a good return on the investment you just made in your education. Today we’re going to focus on the importance of location of a school and how it can be beneficial in developing a career in music. It’s important to research all of the benefits a school can offer, including programs that offer global learning opportunities. You’ve likely heard the real estate mantra “location, location, location”, which also applies to choosing the right school.

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Les SilverMusic, Music Education, College, George Garzone, David Schroeder, David Pope, Blog, Post, Education
5 Ways To Improve Your Writing
5 Ways To Improve Your Writing

Hopefully, most of us experience the “desire” to write music. What I mean is, the creative drive. That intangible thing within us that compels us to write down notes and rhythms and chords in an organized fashion according to the way we hear (envision) them. When you were a kid and somebody put a piece of paper and a box of crayons in front of you for the first time, did they give you a manual on how to use them? No, of course not. You grabbed the crayons and just went for it! Well, for those of us who answer the call of composing, that same creative drive can stay with us for the rest of our lives.

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Les Silvercomposer, arranging, music, musician, Rich Shermaria, Blog, Post
5 Tips For Becoming A Better Saxophonist
5 Tips For Becoming A Better Saxophonist

The saxophone remains one of the coolest instruments on the planet for a number of reasons. It’s an instrument with a melodic personality that allows listeners to hear and feel the emotion of its creator’s personality. The versatility of the saxophone allows it to blend effortlessly into nearly any style of music or cut through with an authoritative presence.

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Les SilverMusic, Musician, Improvement, Practice, David Pope, Blog, Post, saxophone, saxophonist
The Ideal Candidate - 5 Essential Parts of the Application Process: Part 1
The Ideal Candidate - 5 Essential Parts of the Application Process: Part 1

Each year music programs across the country are bombarded with thousands of applications from deserving student musicians seeking acceptance into their colleges, universities and conservatories. Everyone knows there is strong competition and that impressive list of accolades you’ve been working on for years may or may not be compelling enough to earn a spot within the music community of your choice. So how are you planning to set yourself apart from the competition, because practicing daily, memorizing your audition piece and networking, while beneficial might not be enough.

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Les SilverMusic, Music Education, Music Educator, Musical Instruments, College, Blog, Post, David Schroeder, Lukas Gabric
5 Things Every Jazz Composer Should Know
5 Things Every Jazz Composer Should Know

Music is a life long pursuit, and every musician, from the student, the professional, or the hobbyist, is engaged in a quest to learn. To acquire the skills to become better than you were yesterday. Not every saxophonist will be as great of a player as Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, or John Coltrane, but can be the best version of themselves, with command over their instrument, and a “voice” of their own that has something to say through music. It is the same for the composer as for the instrumentalist.

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Les SilverComposer, Jazz, Music, Musician, Andy Farber, Blog, Post
5 Tips To Improve Breathing and Posture
5 Tips To Improve Breathing and Posture

Physical, spiritual and mental practices have become a daily trend for millions of people, but have musicians embraced and incorporated them into their daily practice routines? Instrumental musicians pay very close attention to the functionality of their instruments, as there are many moving parts that work harmoniously to provide its player with a beautiful voice.

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Les SilverMusic, Breathing, Posture, Yoga, Andrea Brachfeld, Blog, Post
5 Things Every Instrumental Music Educator Should Know
5 Things Every Instrumental Music Educator Should Know

Music educators spend countless hours developing curriculums, implementing lesson plans, assessing, developing, inspiring and enriching the lives of student musicians. Music teachers are ambassadors for continuing music education programs in our nations schools and are responsible for providing the many benefits of music to their students and our children.

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Les SilverMusic, Music Educator, Music Teacher, Creativity, Blog, Post
4 Tips To Make Your Trombone Play More Expressively
4 Tips To Make Your Trombone Play More Expressively

When we want to work on expressiveness in trombone playing in particular, I’d like to offer some nuances that aren’t often considered. Here’s what I share with my students at the University of Rhode Island. I’m primarily a jazz trombonist, so one of my main models for expression are the great jazz vocalists and classic tenor saxophonists. I’ll offer a few things I take from each, which may give some things to consider as you approach practice.

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Les SilverMusic, Trombone, Trombonist, Brass, Emmett Goods, Blog, Post