![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jDLMh0fPIlL_8-fmUWrHeVgh7DeZ19JN4GyNXXKJmSZgw3eHN1EdtssHTVDviJFvhScY_83g3yxyfbjUUeteBR6TVSpgEilDSlqTI5tVT_WhCKVA1jSr1lvOR9gw9Qm463ED0k9xF8U/s320/IMG_0155.jpg)
In this age of computers, the online video master class has been a reality for a while now. Six years ago, Stewart Smith, who is a low brass teacher at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg Canada, began 'bringing in' artists to his school via the Internet. It is a wonderful way to bring in, for the students of that school, well known teachers and performers from all over the world and to do it at a very reasonable cost! Even though it is not the same as being with people in the flesh, it certainly has good benefits. The next best thing to being there!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXZylxtYNNNHBRLVrY6VZsd2zqC72uwKKDv6H8EbDGQDBAD7i60Wlq3ThQ1VIdOYhcSI-irM8k0xVncd1kiUsNlOYJlG-iK0rrW2MaguaDgPMXoYChYomEGZu3hF5CwKpp0V1Nz82rgg/s320/IMG_0149.jpg)
Stewart asked me this past Fall if I would be interested and I was thrilled to participate in this way. Finally, everything worked out and the master class happened on April 10th. I was in my room at my desk and before I knew it, thanks to iChat, I was talking to Stewart and he was introducing me to the audience. There was a good turn out and the age range was from 11 to 55. Teachers, students and parents all in a room with my image on a large screen. It was really a fun and unique experience.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzxJpVQ9ultaNhAhyphenhyphenB13NmLHfhu9bPFgFzWtu9YAEg8r66nZjdLvC1ZwuuiB7uCXC2FQUv06j1uNtZm0yLK84QJIDtBc9a4cJ0-5UQTfrEM1gDiRPipUJvNkNgYCxZpqa9CkKXthY21M/s320/IMG_0151.jpg)
My sound system is not great but it was certainly good enough to hear basic things in the students who played and to get a sense of the audience. Stewart asked if I would play something to start so I played a piece I'm writing called "What in the world am I doing?" inspired by my wife Carol. It was great because I ended up using this phrase every now and then in the master class. The phrase was used as a reminder to not practice without consciously being in it. When we catch ourselves 'grinding the wheels' of our minds and lips, just mindlessly going around and around, it is a great thing to ask, "What in the world am I doing?" to bring us back to listening and being with our activity and to remind ourselves why we are doing what we are doing.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZYunsl0QVXAxbLsMObj6jLFbrDp_El4dOTsLkfcx2SdNtUHMwnK4iBbbtHrvMivDllIXBtkAtHbWx5NCjeh8oQmfIjj9SXgi3LIZ4Xcee7xBxtVIFRt4CxupmE6W08KbcJLbS8rD6O4/s320/IMG_0150.jpg)
Stewart said everyone enjoyed the class. Four people played and we worked on basic concepts together. I also included the audience by inviting them to join in with some of the exercises.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_c7Ldh1YYNDjf6toFAEYDXg_SvwTXEXVMar4MJ9VxXzLEww8fOlGj9n7wkufjx_2qZG4MoELQ_qMQ6iAs2QCLSYkp-akKtTqertx3BiPhJ1JTjIOlKEkW7qwBxpboiVpUazRf8hf0KWs/s320/IMG_0154.jpg)
I want to thank Stewart Smith and his wife Susan for their hospitality, and the University of Manitoba for making it all possible. Plus, a big thank you to the folks that made it possible through their funding.
I am including some pictures Stewart sent me that he took from his angle. The group shot was such a fun concept and the picture says it all.
No comments:
Post a Comment