Teachers have two jobs.
One of a teacher’s jobs is to take our students as far as they’re able. The other job is to find a way to let them see what’s next.
The motivation to grow mostly comes from within. All the teaching in the world can’t create that motivation. But seeing someone practicing your art at the next level can be a powerful internal motivator.
For choral ensembles, we have videos and audio recordings to give a taste of the next level, but nothing beats a live concert. Being in the room with people practicing your art, at a level beyond what you’re capable of, is a profound experience and can change your students’ vision of what’s possible.
Getting to watch my students in Shades of Blue watch UNT Jazz Singers, WMU Gold Company, and then New York Voices yesterday was amazing. I know it will change the way they approach our rehearsals and their own personal practice.