by Amy Nathan "If you give yourself to something that you think isn’t going to work, sometimes it does,” says retired school teacher and lifelong choir member Linda Bluth. She’s commenting on a surprising new musical bright spot that has popped up during the coronavirus pandemic: ordinary people becoming recording artists. From Brooklyn’s Grace Chorale to the … Continue reading They may not be pros—but they’re recording artists now
Baltimore Symphony
Coming Together Side by Side: Avocational Musicians Performing with Professionals
Nagging feelings of self-doubt in their musical skills blocked many for a while from doing what they have since come to love—make music in their spare time. Finding supportive ensembles, teachers, and Meetup groups helped many take the plunge. Now, professional orchestras have joined the avocational-musician support team, spurred by the success of the Baltimore Symphony’s programs for non-pros that began in 2010.
On Amateurs
By Emily Hogstad Thursday night rehearsal. I'm in a small room with twenty other string players, members of my local amateur string orchestra. I'm rehearsing a solo of the Piazzolla Oblivion. I shake my wrist out. I've got jitters for no reason at all. *** Adult amateur musicians are almost universally embarrassed to play in front of … Continue reading On Amateurs
MusicOvation 