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we’re smarter - but why? March 7, 2008

Posted by Charles Noble in : appreciation/criticism, music, research study, add a comment

It’s in its early stages, but a study by the DANA foundation is examining whether people interested in the arts are smarter to begin with, or if their intelligence is stimulated and improved by their exposure to the arts. (more…)

no. 2 pencil definitely required March 7, 2008

Posted by Charles Noble in : music, the orchestra world, add a comment

I heard some delicious gossip from a major midwestern orchestra the other day, namely that the music director re-seated the first violin section after the following series of events happened:

1) Gave instructions about dynamics to the violins, asking that they be noted in the parts.

2) Concerts came and went, dynamics were largely not played by said violin section.

3) Music director blows a gasket, looks at all the violin parts to see which ones had been marked, and which hadn’t.

4) Re-seated the violins so that every non-marker would sit with a marker.

5) Hilarity ensued.

I’m sure that (5) did not happen, and I haven’t heard confirmation of this story, but if anyone knows the real poop, I’d love to hear it from the horse’s mouth, so to speak…

fEARnoMUSIC concert tonight March 7, 2008

Posted by Charles Noble in : chamber music, composition, contemporary, music, add a comment

If you’re not set on what you’re going to do this Friday evening, why not go hear some spankin’ new music played to the hilt by some of the finest musicians around? (more…)