Iowa Bandmasters Association

The Art of Pacing: In Preparation, Rehearsal, and

Performance
Dr. Karen Fannin, Hendrix College
www.karenfannin.com
May 13, 2011

A Brief Recommended Reading / Viewing List

Books:

Casey, Joseph L. Teaching Techniques and Insights for Instrumental

Music Educators. Chicago: GIA Publications, 1991.

A collection of thoughts from 130 music educators, this helpful

book delves into many aspects of interest to music educators,
from planning and communication to rehearsal techniques.

Cloud, Henry. Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality.

New York: Harper Collins, 2006.

Geared towards the business field, the author discusses six

character qualities he deems are necessary to possess integrity.
As Cloud states in the cover of his book: “Integrity. It is more
than simple honesty. It’s the key to success. A person with
integrity has the, often rare, ability to pull everything together,
to make it all happen no matter how challenging the
circumstances.” Sound familiar to music teachers? Much of
this book is analogous both to making music and administering
a band program.

Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal

Experience. New York: Harper Collins, 1990.

This book investigates satisfying experiences that lead to a state

of consciousness called flow, which the author defines as “a
state of concentration so focused that it amounts to absolute
absorption in an activity.” Flow: something to strive for in our
rehearsals and performances, as well as in our lives.

Green, Barry. The Mastery of Music: Ten Pathways to True Artistry.

New York: Broadway Books, 2003.
Green discusses communication, courage, discipline, fun,
passion, tolerance, concentration, confidence, ego, humility, and
creativity by linking these topics with the instruments that
characterize their spirit. A fun and thought provoking read.
Levitin, Daniel J. This is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a
Human Obsession. New York: Penguin Group Inc., 2006.

Mixing music and science, the author investigates the power of

music in our lives.

Koegel, Timothy J. The Exceptional Presenter. Austin TX: Greenleaf

Book Press, 2007.

From the business and communication bookshelf, this book is

helpful for anyone who wants to improve his or her presentation
skills. Much of the information is relevant to teaching and
conducting.

Ruiz, Don Miguel. The Four Agreements. San Rafael, CA: Amber-
Allen Publishing, Inc., 1997.

Based on four agreements: Be impeccable with your word, Don’t

take anything personally, Don’t make assumptions, and Always
do your best, this book is a quick read that can help ground you
in your music making and teaching.

Wis, Ramona. The Conductor as Leader: Principles of Leadership

Applied to Life on the Podium. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2007.

Wis combines her research on business leadership with her

expertise as a choral conductor. Wonderful book!

DVDs:

Anything with Carlos Kleiber, conductor

Anything with Gustavo Dudamel, conductor

Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 3. Israel Philharmonic Orchestra,

Leonard Bernstein, conductor. 1974. DVD Unitel, 2006.

Terrific music making and pacing!

Keeping Score: MTT on Music. San Francisco Symphony, Michael

Tilson Thomas, conductor. SF Symphony, 2004.

Using Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, Tilson Thomas shows the

viewer how an ensemble puts a concert together from the
individual musicians’ practice, conductor preparation, logistics,
rehearsal, and performance. Wonderful for both the musician
and non-musician. Other MTT productions include DVDs on
Beethoven’s Eroica, Copland’s Appalachian Spring, and
Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. All great!