Musicians and Medical School

There has been a fascinating discussion thread that several members of Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir have been participating in. It was inspired by the interview I did with medical student and Virtual Choir member Laura Slattery.

I thought I had already written an article explaining why approximately 60% of medical students have studied music but alas, I have not. To make up for it, I did track down some articles that have already been done on the subject:

Achieving Balance: Medicine and the Arts

Do Musicians Have Better Brains?

Musicians Turned Doctors

Music, Medicine and the Art of Learning

The Comparative Academic Abilities of Students in Education and in Other Areas of a Multi-Focus University

I think a lot of it has to do with the benefits of learning music. Many transferable skills are taught, which affect how quickly we musicians can process data and make decisions. Ah, now this reminds me of an article I did write. I'll update it and post it here.

Springtime Sightreading

Sight-reading isn't my strong suit. As a piano accompanist and choir member, sight-reading is a survival skill.

I've decided to work through the keyboard binders for my church choir as my piano sight-reading practice. Sometimes, I'll start by running through the harmonies. Other times, I set the metronome on and barrel right through the music. And then other times, I just pick a comfortable tempo to read at.

One thing I should do more is sight-sing. When I sing or conduct, I do try to sight-sing. Let's just say that it's a work in progress.

I still have my sight-singing book from university: Boosey and Hawkes 333 Elementary Exercises In Sight Singing - Kodaly Choral Method (Standard). It's been helpful - when I remember to use it.

look inside

333 Elementary Exercises in Sight Singing Composed by Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967). Arranged by Percy Young. BH Kodaly. The Kodaly Choral Method. Edited with annotations by Dr. Percy Young. 20th Century, Instructional and Sight Reading. Instructional book (softcover). 36 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M051305209. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48002815).

Popular Hand Exercises Books for Piano

Regardless of your playing level, or whether you are preparing for a piano exam, finger exercises are one of the keys to achieving technical fluency. These finger strengthening exercises give you the chops you need to tackle your pieces (AKA "repertoire").

This is a list of 15 of the most popular books of finger exercises for piano. If you click on the link, you'll go to a page to order it (or get more information on it):

1. The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences: Includes All the Major, Minor (Natural, Harmonic, Melodic) & Chromatic Scales - Plus Additional Instructions on Music Fundamentals

2. Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist in Sixty Exercises, Complete (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics, Vol. 925)

3. Piano Essentials: Scales, Chords, Arpeggios, and Cadences for the Contemporary Pianist (Book & CD)

4. The First Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios & Cadences (Alfred's Basic Piano Library)

5. The Piano Handbook: A Complete Guide for Mastering Piano

6. Master School of Virtuoso Piano Playing: Volume I Finger Exercises (Dover Music for Piano)

7. Oscar Peterson - Jazz Exercises, Minuets, Etudes & Pieces for PianoMaster School of Virtuoso Piano Playing: Volume I Finger Exercises (Dover Music for Piano)

8. Hanon for the Developing Pianist - Book/CD Pack: Hal Leonard Student Piano Library - Book/CD (Technique Classics)

9. The School of Velocity, Op. 299 (Complete): For The Piano (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics Vol. 161)

10. Burgmuller, Czerny & Hanon: 32 Piano Studies for Technique and Musicality: 1

11. Junior Hanon (Alfred Masterwork Edition)

12. Twenty-Five Easy and Progressive Studies for the Piano, Op. 100: Piano Solo

13. Schmitt Op. 16: Preparatory Exercises For the Piano, with Appendix (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics, Vol. 434)

14. Czerny: Art of Finger Dexterity for the Piano, Op. 740 (Complete) (Schirmer's Library Of Musical Classics, Vol. 154)

15. Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist (Complete) (Alfred Masterwork Edition)

Your eyes aren't deceiving you. There are several different editions of Hanon's exercises - all of them are pretty popular.

Summer Music Camps in Alberta for Children, Youth and Adults

Summer music camps enable musicians to hone their skills, learn new techniques and explore new styles. A look at five summer programs in Alberta.

Some people attend summer hockey camp, while others go to Tech Camp. For musicians, there's summer music camp.

Music camps are typically day camps that run for one to two weeks. They generally involve private lessons, ensemble work, and master classes with leading teachers, conductors, and performers. Many offer seminars on various aspects of performing, such as:

• accompanying

• improvisation

• memorization

• movement

• musical interpretation and style

• performance anxiety

• proper technique

The programs often conclude with a performance. Some also feature performances by faculty members.

Here is a look at five Alberta-based summer music camps for students of various ages and abilities. These programs attract students from across Canada and the northwestern United States.

Singspiration Singing Camp for Youth Singers

Singspiration was established in 2000 for youths in Grades 4 through 12. Campers sing in a choir, learn handbells, attend art classes, and enjoy some outdoor activities. In 2006, Singspiration received the Patricia Cook Memorial Award from the the Alberta Choral Federation for its service to advocacy in arts education in Alberta. Singspiration is held at Concordia University College.

Band, Choir, Piano and Musical Theatre for Youth at Music Camp Alberta

Music Camp Alberta has been offering summer music programs since 1957. Seven summer programs are offered, which are held at Red Deer College:

1. David J. Peterkin Symphonic Band Camp: For high school students with at least three years experience on their instrument.

2. Piano Workshop: For high school students with at least their Grade 5 piano through the Royal Conservatory of Music (or equivalent).

3. Youth Contemporary Choir Workshop: For high school students with choral experience to study acoustic vocal jazz techniques and learn about contemporary music genres.

4. Intermediate Band Camp: For students in Grades 8 - 10 with at least two years' experience on their instrument.

5. MusicCamp Girls' Choir: For girls aged nine to 14.

6. MusicCamp Boys' Choir: For boys with unchanged voices.

7. Musical Theatre for Young Singers: For students aged nine to 14.

Fine Arts Camps for Children, Youth and Adults at the Calgary Arts Summer School

The Calgary Arts Summer School (CASS) is an inter-disciplinary summer arts school established in 1993. CASS currently offers seven camps:

1. Musical Theatre Showtime: For students aged nine to 19. Students plan, produce and present a scripted musical production.

2. Exploring the Arts Camp: This camp offers students an introduction to music, drama, movement and art. For students aged 4 to 10. No previous experience is necessary but is welcome.

3. Play Writing Camp: For students aged seven to 12. Students create, rehearse and perform their own unique play in five days.

4. Adult Piano Camp: For adult pianists of various levels.

5. Piano Camp: For pianists aged 10 to adult, intermediate to advanced. Students also explore choir, art, improvisation, the Alexander Technique, and more.

6. Jazz Keyboard Workshop: For all instrumentalists aged 13 through adult. Students will exploring comping, solo and listening techniques.

7. Piano Pedagogy Workshop: For music teachers as well as advanced music students.

CASS also hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Check CASS' website for camp locations and registration information.

Guitar, Drums, Recording and Jazz at Alberta College

Alberta College at Grant MacEwan University offers seven summer music programs on the Alberta College campus:

1. Guitar Basics: For beginners to provide an introduction to the guitar.

2. Guitar/Drum Workshop: For beginner to advanced level guitarists.

3. Studio Recording Techniques: Explores the techniques involved in the operation of studio recording equipment. Students receive a combination of instruction and studio time.

4. MacEwan Summer Jazz Workshop: For students aged 13 to 20. Students explore improvisation, jazz styles through working in combos and big-bands.

5. All that Jazz - Jazz Appreciation: Students will explore musicians and major influences in jazz using A/V examples and basic musical analysis.

6. Vocal Workshop: Students will develop their skills in vocal production, music reading, harmonization and improvisation as they perform in solo and ensemble situations.

7. Musical Theatre: Students aged seven to 16 years of age will learn singing, acting and movement.

Complete Vocal Experience at The University of Lethbridge

The Southern Alberta Vocal Experience is open to students aged 13 - 20 years of age. Students will explore choral repertoire and creative movement.

They will receive private lessons, and master classes. Students will perform in a vocal recital featuring works for vocal solo and piano as well as an ensemble oriented performance, featuring operetta and musical theatre repertoire. Both performances are open to the public.

Registering for a Summer Music Camp

Summer music camps do fill up quickly. Check the camp websites for detailed registration information. Some offer scholarships and bursaries for those who require financial assistance.

Musicians can research the summer programs available in their area. Young musicians should discuss with their music teacher and parents which program is most suitable for them.

Whether the goal is to learn a new skill, keep those musician fingers nimble, continuing education, or improve one's performance savvy, summer music camps are a wonderful way to further one's musical development. They also offer the valuable opportunities of making new friends and working with world-class musicians, teachers and conductors.

Originally published on Suite101 on April 16, 2010. Information updated on March 10, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.

A Look at Chord Helps

Most of my students are visual-aural or visual-kinesthetic learners. Needless to say, cracking open their music theory workbook is not their idea of a good time. Therefore, I'm always on the lookout for tools that "speak" more to their learning styles.

The following are four tools that I have come across in my attempt to help my piano students understand chords and the Circle of Fifths better:

Walrus Productions Piano Chords Mini-Chart

This Piano Chord Mini Chart is ideal for the visual learner. There is a piano keyboard on top to help music students with music theory. It's made of bendable plastic. I suppose one could use it as a place-mat or mouse pad if they are so inclined.

Each row contains the major, minor, dominant seventh, augmented and diminished chords starting on a particular note. The red dots show how to build each chord. If a student is still unsure of their note names, the keyboard at the top of the chart can help clear things up for them.

Is it complete? No. It just gives those basic chord types. It would have been nice if it had diminished seventh chords as well. The reverse side could have been utilized to show the Circle of Fifths and perhaps some common chord progressions.

The Piano Chords Mini-Chart runs for approximately $2.68 USD on Amazon. I purchased mine at my local Long & McQuade for $5.08 CAD.

Alfred Publishing Keyboard Chord Chart

With over 100 chords, this Keyboard Chord Chart boasts a more complete collection. What I like about this chart over the previous one is that it gives presents the information in two different ways: first, you see what the chord looks like on the staff. Then, it shows how to build the chord on the piano. However, it goes one step beyond but showing the letter names on the keys. There is a section that covers the inversion of chords as well.

It retails for approximately $3.50 USD and $3.59 CAD. One of my colleagues has a gigantic, wall-sized version of this chart.

The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Piano Chords

This 183-page pocket-book was written by my colleague Karen Berger. We "met" when we freelanced together at Suite101.com.

The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Piano Chords is more expensive than the two options I listed above. However, it offers so much more. There's a section on keyboard geography, note reading 101, building chords, advanced chords and more. It has a user rating of 4/5 stars on Amazon.

It retails for $12.95 USD and approximately $13.24 CAD. I don't have this handy book in my professional library. However, I do mean to pick one up in the near future.

The Chord Wheel

I picked up The Chord Wheel: The Ultimate Tool for All Musicians at the advice of one of the associates at Long & McQuade. It's colourful, I'll grant you that. Between the rainbow colours and the spinning wheel, it captures the attention of most of my students whenever it is out.

When you open it up, you'll see a section on analyzing chord progressions, transposition and composition. It gives some handy tips on figuring out the key signature to a song by looking at the chords listed (provided that you are looking at a fake book or P/V/G book).

It also covers scales, chords, modes and relative minors and gives ideas on what chords to use for songwriting. Sounds good, doesn't it?

However, it's not something I'd recommend for my younger students, or even my tween students who are struggling with music theory to begin with. The explanations go right over their head.

It's not piano-centric, so it is useful for vocalists, guitarists and other instrumentalists. The text is tailored towards the older learner, high school to adult.

The Chord Wheel ranks consistently in the Top 50 of Amazon's Best Seller List for Music Theory aids with a 4/5 star rating. It is the most expensive aid on this list, retailing at $14.99 USD and $15.33 CAD.