In my opinion improvisation is one of the most important and helpful practices a musician can perform, yet one of the most neglected. Today classical music and musicians suffer greatly as a result of this neglect. Musicianship is first and foremost about expression, and only through the practice of improvisation can we can discover our …
Elevation Solo Album Release and the Myriad Benefits of Recording
Lamma Studios is delighted to announce the release of trumpeter Joshua MacCluer’s album Elevation. What follows was written on Joshua’s website at the time of release. Elevation is the result of almost two years of work and was a tremendous learning experience for me as well a very enjoyable artistic process. The album is now released electronically …
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The Essential Role of Modeling for Mastery and Rafael Mendez
The following is a repost from Joshua MacCluer’s blog from July 2014. One of the most effective and time tested methods of getting better at something is modeling. I highly recommend the power of modeling for the development of any skill in any area of performance or life. What is modeling exactly? It is a …
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Developing Long Term Relationships with Music
The following is a reprint from Joshua MacCluer’s blog from May 2014. Today I’d like to write a little about the value of developing long term relationships with music. Relationships with music are no different than relationships with people, and just as truly meaningful friendships develop over time, a special performance of a piece of …
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Résumé Writing Tips for Orchestral Musicians
The following is a reprint from Joshua MacCluer’s blog from May 2014. There was great recent news recently for the Hong Kong Philharmonic when we heard the the orchestra is adding 6 new positions, including 4th trumpet. After advertising internationally, we received 171 résumé applications for the 4th trumpet position. When I examined the résumés …
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10 Techniques for Better Fast Playing
The following is a reprint from Lamma Studios Director Joshua MacCluer from March 2014. A staple of the trumpet/cornet repertoire is the arrangement by Herbert L. Clarke of The Carnival of Venice. While impressive sounding, it’s not too difficult to play if it is well practiced. However, it’s very difficult to play if poorly practiced …
Everyone Loves Sumi Jo
This is a reprint from Lamma Studios Director Joshua MacCluer from February 2014. In early February I made my debut as a soloist with the Hong Kong Philharmonic in a performance of Handel’s Let the Bright Seraphim partnered with the terrific soprano Sumi Jo. It was a very enjoyable musical experience for me and I learned …
Let the Sound Be Your Teacher
What follows is an article by Lamma Studios’ Director Joshua MacCluer from January 2014. Sound is the single most important quality of any singer or instrumentalist. It is the first thing people hear when a musician plays, and it is the most identifiable quality of any great musician. Opera aficionados know the huge animal tenor …
The Importance of Piano and Singing Practice
This article is a reprint from Joshua MacCluer’s blog from December 24, 2013. For Christmas I am happy to share this video of Schubert’s An Silvia. A very nice art song from the master of the genre, the original words were in English by Shakespeare. As a big fan of both Schubert and the Bard …
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