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String Section

  • String Players Making a Difference: Social Justice and Change

    Mike Lawson | May 11, 2018

    Individuals driven to create, (film, music, dance, written word and the visual arts) tend to be both inspired and somewhat physiologically affected by one another’s work – more so when an emotionally charged message or subject is involved.

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  • String Section: Humor and Creativity in Classical Music

    Mike Lawson | April 6, 2018

    I have noticed an increased acceptance (in and aside from the classical musician’s professional world) of artists with classical training successfully branching out in some way from traditional performance.

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  • Stringed Instruments: Winter Weather Helping Students Handle Instrument Maintenance Needs from a Distance

    Mike Lawson | March 2, 2018

    This January found many students without adequately functional instruments (as can most winter months).

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  • Bowings: An Orchestral Language

    Mike Lawson | January 8, 2018

    If you have spent much time in the company of career orchestral string players, you will undoubtedly encounter or witness the venting of “bowing” frustrations/issues.

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  • Etiquette and Managing Musicians

    Mike Lawson | December 6, 2017

    Originally intended as a “grand finale” to the series of articles addressing orchestral etiquette(s), I am finally able to present this piece. I am pleased to present these thoughts and observations from noted experts in the field.

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  • Appreciating and Teaching Musical Movement in the Symphony Orchestra

    Mike Lawson | November 6, 2017

    I have often wondered how music appreciation can effectively be taught in a class-setting.

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  • School Orchestra and Private Instruction Working Together (and Avoiding Conflict)

    Mike Lawson | October 4, 2017

    There are good reasons guiding a fairly uncontested rule of ethics amongst teachers who provide individual instruction to students in most disciplines; it is not wise for a student to have more than one regular teacher at a time.

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  • A Practical Guide to Chamber Music Success

    Mike Lawson | September 8, 2017

    It is rare to hear a string player be anything but enthusiastic when it comes to playing with other musicians of similar skills and musical sensibilities performing chamber music. 

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  • How String Players Prepare for Orchestral Engagements

    Mike Lawson | August 11, 2017

    As with any other situation in which one must study and prepare to perform under pressure, musicians have many different ways of getting from point A (discovering the timeline and content of the concert) to point B (successfully executing the expected music in a culmination-type experience).

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  • The Importance of Personal Musical Enrichment for Educators: Goals, ongoing ensemble experiences, and retaining professional performance as instrumentalists and musicians

    Mike Lawson | July 14, 2017

    As musicians and educators, I suspect at some point in time each of us has experienced “the fear.”

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  • Concepts and Tips for Teaching Form

    Mike Lawson | June 19, 2017

    There are few aspects of playing a stringed instrument (specifically violin/viola) which feel like a natural, physically familiar, comfortable use of the body. 

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  • Music Beyond High School: The Diversity of Non-Professional Opportunities and Activities for Adult Musicians

    Mike Lawson | May 12, 2017

    The degree of personal investment required of a string player to gain instrumental proficiency and musical excellence is astounding. For many years, I struggled in mediocrity and frustration.

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