On November 7, 2005, I took a massive leap of faith and started a brand-new blog about the art of the piano in ensemble, a field that at the time had almost no presence on the internet. I had no idea that four years later, the Collaborative Piano Blog would have achieved such a large reach in the profession, nor that I would have derived such satisfaction from writing it.Thanks for four great years, everyone!
Congratulations! I always enjoy reading articles in this blog site as a serious collaborative pianist. That is great that the art of accompanying/collaboration is getting recognized as a real special profession, but unfortunately it did not work for me.... I got BM and MM in piano performance from "artist-in-residence" at this small University (there is no school providind accompanying degree in my area), and I was doing accompanying as much as I can within their small budget, because there was a huge need. The school has two full-time staff accompanists who do not even have a degree in piano, so I was hoping that I could be hired as the third accompanist once the position is approved. Now the position officially opened up and the school decided to hire a person with DMA in collaboration, and I was kicked out. I am trying to go as a freelance (I am reading a lot of articles in this blog to get ideas), but it won't be easy....
ReplyDeleteAnyways. Great blog, and please keep providing informations to us serious collaborative pianists.
Thank YOU, Chris. I don't accompany much anymore, but am devoted to teaching. Your blog has such a great variety of articles, links, quotes, etc. that are applicable to more than collaberative piano. I find it inspiring, amusing, helpful, a community... All the best for the next 4 years!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Chris! Very well done!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, and keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Chris! It's a real achievement! It's always a first stop in the morning and one of the great blogs out there. Here's to four more!
ReplyDeleteChris, I'll echo LaDona in saying there is much more of value here than just collaborative piano info. One of my favorite things is the odd (sometimes very odd) photos and video clips you come up with. Piano as spacecraft was a recent hit. I'm so glad you took that leap -- it turned out NOT to be like the leaps those old pianos take off the MIT roof, after all, eh?
ReplyDeleteKathy in Oregon