festivals, conventions, & concerts - oh my!

Why attend a flute convention, or a music conference, or even a concert? As we approach the end of summer and look ahead (perhaps with trepidation!) toward our jam-packed semester and year ahead, why is it important to go support these events when we could be in a cabin in the woods or walking on a beach or reading a novel? 

As artists, we all require nourishment, we need to recharge our batteries, we learn from our colleagues through sessions and conversations providing the healthy exchange of ideas . . . although tempting to just be a vegetable for a bit (and we need that decompression, too!) or shrink back to our practice rooms, here are some "wow" factors we can enjoy  from supporting these events:

• Meet new people. Hear their ideas, through their playing and their presentations and conversations. Connect with others!
• Hear new pieces, discover new composers, enjoy different styles of playing and ensemble collaborations . . . take your ears outside of their usual "comfort zone" so they continue to grow.
• Try new things - new instruments, new accessories, new innovations in teaching and learning . . . exhibit halls are also fantastic places to meet people and network.
• In short:  get inspired! "Art is not created in a vacuum." Although a matter of debate, in its most general and basic sense, art is communication.  Art acquires meaning through the act of sharing. What better way to find meaning for what we do than join together to celebrate and explore  live art? We need audiences to continue  our endeavor to create live art - let us also be invested in serving as an audience member!

 If you're not able to join the festival, convention, or concert season right now, reach out to another artist - support them and their work, and share some of your art as well!