An excerpt from a note I sent this week to my students, who are giving a performance today at the ACDA-Michigan State Conference.
I’ve never given a perfect performance. Not as a performer, not as a conductor. I don’t think I’ve ever attended a perfect performance.
Every performance is a chance to say, “this is where I am today.” That’s really the beauty of live music – because every performance is different, and expressive of a unique time and place.
The music we make on Saturday will not be perfect. There will be mistakes. I will make some, you will make some, the guy next to you will make some. I do not know what the mistakes will be, and neither do you.
I do know that the mistakes will not be important, compared to the essence of your performance. You will perform from your heart, with passion, with camaraderie, and with a deep sense of belonging. This honor didn’t come by accident, and it didn’t come to this group by accident. You were ready for this challenge.
Beethoven said, “To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.” I hope that you carry that philosophy into your performances.
Know that you have reached the goal. You’re already there. Now we get to deliver it to our audience.
Concert at 10:30 this morning in the WMU Dalton Center Recital Hall. Join us if you can!