<p>I posted in the HS section but I thought I might try here too.
I'm a college sophomore trying to put on a short (45min) show for I think what will be HS and probably some junior HS and middle school students for around Christmas. It'll be with a few friends from my school (3-5 pple).
The thing is that I was just another nerd in HS and I have no idea what sounds "cool" to other people, or what they would want to hear. I'm also int'l so whatever my cool friends listened to would probably sound pretty weird here!</p>
<p>If you had a group of music majors come play at your school and they could play anything that you want, what would you want to hear? What would you consider "lame"?</p>
<p>Give us some idea of who/what will be playing? Any singers, configuration of the group,etc? Are you playing classical, jazz, pop? School assembly with compulsory attendance or is this for a special music department?</p>
<p>Thanks Mezzo’sMama!
It’ll be classical. There is no singer, just a mixed instrumental ensemble. Probably a string trio or quartet (possible quintet w/ 3 violins)+one woodwind. I’m not sure whether or not people would have to come, but it’s not a performing arts school or pre-music majors or anything. </p>
<p>I had in mind somethings like Pachelbel, Bach’s Badinerie, Air on G string, the kind of things that most people sort of know and that my friends have play countless times so that it wouldn’t be too much practicing (it’s during finals week). But I feel like 30-45 min of that is going to be quite boring for them so I also wanted some nice jazzy stuff, maybe Christmas-themed (unless it’s a bad idea to play that at a secular public school?), rhythmically engaging and “cool”. Except I don’t actually know any.</p>
<p>It seems to me that music you and the other performers are enthusiastic and excited about would be the best of all to play for a young audience - who will respond to your passion - whether it is old standby’s like Pachelbel (which would actually surprise me if the players were excited about playing - not the most engaging cello part, at least! - unless you did something crazy like one of those youtube videos on Pachelbel…) or you could play the most modern of music. Your job as a performer is to communicate - and to engage - if you were getting together with your friends just to make music for sheer pleasure, or adventure and exploration - what would it be?</p>
<p>Thanks! So I guess the bottom line is that we should play whatever we find engaging. I guess if it were just my friends and me, a healthy mix of baroque, classical, romantic and popular music would do it. I’ll be the one playing that 8-note cello phrase. It’s not the most varied line but it certainly is beautiful. My friends sound pretty excited about playing anything at all. For once, both parties will be there for pleasure only!!! Thanks again.</p>
<p>My suggestion would be that you talk “with” (not “to” and definitely not “down to”) the audience … give them something to listen for or to think about as they listen to your music.</p>