Summer Chamber Music: Graduate Trombone Ensemble (2016)

Professor/Coach: Dr. Reynolds

During my second summer in the IC Masters program, I had the opportunity to rehearse

and perform in a small trombone ensemble. It was challenging because trombone is not my

primary instrument, and we played some advanced repertoire. We practiced and performed

Myths and Legends by Eric Ewazen, as well as Oh My Aching Bones by Doug Hartzel. These

two pieces are in different styles. I enjoyed the experience of being pushed outside of my

comfort zone by learning a challenging piece (Ewazen), and by playing a jazz piece. This

helped reinforce the importance of lifelong learning (Ernst). I will continue to stretch myself to

learn music that challenges me by transferring my attitude and approach from my experience in

this trombone ensemble to my life in the future (Jellison).

This was a positive growing experience for me. The other members of the ensemble

were all trombone players, so I enjoyed being challenged by them to practice and improve my

part. I struggled with the music a lot, especially at first. However, I decided to practice my part in

short sections and create attainable goals for myself (Dweck). I ended up learning a lot, being

able to play through our pieces with the ensemble, and developing my comfort on trombone. I

felt a sense of accomplishment when we finished our concert because it was a positive

experience overall (self-efficacy).

In addition to increasing my confidence and learning more about myself as a musician

and as a student, I also enjoyed the sense of community that came with playing in a chamber

group. The other members of my group were very encouraging and supportive, and they helped

create an environment that helped me feel as if I belonged and boosted my self-esteem

(Maslow). They made positive comments when they heard that I was improving, which helped

encourage me to continue practicing. After this experience, I can empathize a bit more with my

students who are new to an instrument (late-entry students), and those who are struggling a

little. I have realized that one of the key factors in helping students in these situations is to
provide positive reinforcement and to be encouraging. Carol Dweck describes this as a process

of challenge and nurture. I will do my best, especially at an elementary level, to put myself in my

students shoes so that I can better empathize with their struggles and encourage them to

continue to practice and improve. I will pay very close attention to providing positive

reinforcement for even the slightest of improvements based on my students effort (Skinner,

Thorndike). It was fun to work together in a small ensemble towards a common goal (Lave &

Wenger).