Journalism of Courage
The Academy of Music,in Koregaon Park,is in the midst of its third music festival titled ‘Music Quest’. A panel of educators invited by the academy,comprising Scott McBridge Smith,Peter Mack and Gail Lew from the US; Murray Nichol and Mary Tickner from Canada; as well as contemporary artiste Christopher Norton from New Zealand,are in the city. I noticed that the system of teaching and evaluating music is very examination-based. I wanted to expose my students to worldwide music trends,go a step beyond examinations, said Roxana Anklesaria,convener and co-founder,MusiQuest. Lew is a professor of applied music in San Fransisco,as well as the editor of the California Music Teachers’ Magazine ,where she focuses on publishing articles on teaching successful practical techniques to students of music. “I believe that the best way to practice a piece is to break it down into smaller chunks and place them together like a puzzle. Different elements of a piece,like harmony,phrase,motive and form,must be treated and looked at differently,” said Lew,a judge at the festival’s piano competition for the age group of twelve and above. McBridge Smith has been teaching students to overcome stage fright and gain self confidence. He will also be offering international summer scholarship programmes to students who give outstanding performances during the festival. “I work with children,they need to be made to feel good about themselves. This is a festival,where they will come,learn,play and compete with a friendly attitude,” said Nichol at the start of the festival. The Honors Recital will be held today at the Ista Hotel,Nagar Road.
Ringing In Good Cheer
Behind the scenes
Even when Aamir Khan produces a film that he is not acting in,the actor,more than the cast and crew of the production,is at the centre of all limelight. A norm in Bollywood,the Indian film industry could probably take a few lessons in playing it down from Angelina Jolie. She is known more for her luscious pout and perfect figure than for her acting skills. Yet,Jolie–one of the highest paid stars of Hollywood–is not using her face to promote her directorial debut,In the Land of Blood and Honey. The film,a love story with the Bosnian War as the backdrop,releases on December 23. The film’s poster,in fact,has a map with a splashes of red that outline the faces of a man and a woman,kissing. We wonder how many Bollywood stars will be able to step back and let the film’s script and cast enjoy the spotlight.
